Edward Breed, ENV SP, Project Manager, Skanska USA Civil Northeast and Construction Institute Boston Chapter Chair
“The more of us in a room, the better. We are better together.”
On May 2, 2025, the Construction Institute (CI) Chapter of ASCE’s Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) hosted one of its most dynamic and inspiring events yet—CI Day 2025—at Wentworth Institute of Technology. With over 130 students, emerging professionals, and industry leaders in attendance, the event buzzed with energy, ideas, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of construction across New England and beyond.
Themed “Constructing the Future,” this year’s CI Day brought together a powerhouse lineup of speakers whose insight, innovation, and passion lit up the room. From cutting-edge tools and transformative megaprojects to sustainability, legal tech, and storytelling, every session offered something fresh, relevant, and impactful.
Highlights of the day included:
- Luciana Burdi, Director of Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs at Massport, opened the day with a compelling keynote on design excellence, innovation, and sustainability, setting a visionary tone for the day.
- Phil Eng and Sam Zhou of the MBTA gave a forward-looking overview of massive modernization efforts underway, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes view of the MBTA’s evolving capital strategy.
- Paul Pedini, Senior Vice President at Skanska USA Civil, showcased the game-changing potential of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)—a glimpse into how digital tools are reshaping how we build.
- Luisa Paiewonsky from MassDOT Megaprojects inspired with her leadership-focused talk on navigating the complexity of statewide capital program management.
- Dave Rogowski offered a captivating technical look at temporary structures and the coordination behind the Portal North Bridge float-in, a feat of modern engineering.
- Rick Kalson of Cozen O’Connor delivered a timely legal analysis of artificial intelligence in construction, outlining both opportunities and liabilities for the profession.
- J.F. White Construction and Delve Underground unpacked the high-stakes Sumner Tunnel rehabilitation, illuminating the precision and teamwork required to keep Boston’s arteries flowing.
- Tom Mitchell of Urban Engineering delivered practical strategies for claim mitigation and dispute resolution, reinforcing the importance of foresight and collaboration in risk management.
- Neil Swidey, journalist and best-selling author of Trapped Under the Sea, closed out the afternoon with a thought-provoking talk on how storytelling and journalism can elevate public understanding of infrastructure—linking data to narrative, and policy to people.
The day concluded with a moving fireside chat between Fred Salvucci, former Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, and Ian Coss, podcaster and host of The Big Dig Podcast. Their intergenerational conversation on the legacy of the Big Dig and the evolution of Boston’s transit infrastructure was a masterclass in reflection, perspective, and civic ambition.
A Long-Awaited Return—and a Bold Path Forward
CI Day 2025 marked the first time this event has been held since 2018. Originally planned to return in 2020, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s return was not just a revival—it was a relaunch, bursting with momentum and enthusiasm from all corners of the industry.
The energy in the room was electric, driven by students eager to enter the field, professionals looking to connect and grow, and industry veterans generously sharing their hard-earned insights. CI Day 2025 was more than a professional gathering—it was a celebration of shared purpose, cross-generational learning, and collaboration across disciplines.
As CI and BSCES look ahead, the success of this year’s event is fueling conversations about future programming—including hopes to bring CI Day back annually or biennially. With renewed momentum and a growing community, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
Join the Movement
CI Boston Chapter is more than a professional network—it’s a movement. A movement to unite engineers, builders, and thinkers who care deeply about the built environment and its future. For students considering a career in civil or construction engineering, or for professionals seeking connection, mentorship, and impact, now is the time to join us.
As we look toward the next generation of infrastructure—resilient, equitable, and sustainable—one message rang clear throughout CI Day:
“The more of us in a room, the better. We are better together.”
Special thanks to Wentworth Institute of Technology for hosting this year’s event, and to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and CI leadership team for making CI Day 2025 an unforgettable success.
To learn more about the Construction Institute Chapter and how to get involved, visit https://www.bsces.org/technical-areas/construction-institute-boston-chapter/