“It Was Just a Conversation at a Table”: How Design-Build Mentorship Opens Doors for the Next Generation
Description
There’s no official job description for a mentor and no script for how a single introduction can change a student’s life. But when Kent State senior Lola Preseren met DBIA Fellow and 2023 Brunelleschi Award winner Bill Hasbrook at a DBIA conference, everything changed.
In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, brought to you by U.S. CAD, An ARKANCE Company, we explore what real mentorship looks like in design-build. Bill shares how decades of industry experience shaped his passion for guiding future leaders, and Lola offers a student’s perspective on what it’s like to be seen, supported and connected in ways that go far beyond networking.
From structured monthly check-ins to spontaneous life advice, their story is a powerful reminder that mentorship can be transformative for both sides of the equation.
Guests:
- Bill Hasbrook, DBIA Fellow and 2023 Brunelleschi Award Winner
- Lola Preseren, Senior at Kent State University and DBIA Student Volunteer
Resources & Links:
- Learn more about DBIA’s Student Membership
- Nominate a DBIA Fellow
- Explore upcoming DBIA Conferences & Events
- Discover Mentorship and Student Engagement Opportunities at DBIA
Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.



