by Emily Langner
On season 3, episode 4 of the Build Better podcast, Anastasia welcomed Luciana Burdi, director of capital programs & environmental affairs at Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), to discuss her journey, the challenges she’s overcome as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and her vision for the future of commercial construction. Burdi also talked about how Massport has tackled challenges in the wake of the COVID pandemic, the evolving flexible work environment, and the impact of new technology on construction projects.
Luciana Burdi
In her role, Burdi is responsible for the development, administration, and execution of the Capital Investment Program (CIP) for all Massport facilities which includes Logan International Airport, Worcester Regional Airport, Hanscom Field, Conley Container Terminal, Flynn Cruiseport Terminal, and other real estate properties. She leads the Authority’s environmental permitting and management, safety program, utilities management and the in-house design and design technologies integration teams. She is also leading the shift of Capital Programs toward a more innovative, progressive, data and design technology-driven department.
Burdi is the first woman to hold her current position at Massport. She says her approach is to step back and really understand a challenge or problem before addressing it and implementing a solution. She believes every member of the team makes a difference, and that really understanding a project thoroughly ultimately contributes to its success. This includes encouraging her staff to do a Gemba walk – going and observing a space – before beginning a project, and talking with and learning from those who will be utilizing the space in order to put in place practical and useful solutions for the end user on each project. Burdi also prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and credits former CEO Lisa Wieland for supporting and embracing diversity during her time at Massport.
Burdi also says she is working to better integrate data-focused decision making at Massport. She is developing a dashboard to help all members of a project team have access to timely and accurate information and to better share information with clients. Additionally, a Massport Infrastructure Condition Assessment (MICA) is being used to evaluate buildings and utilities to ensure efficient operation and maintenance.
Burdi became the director of capital programs & environmental affairs mid-way into the Covid pandemic. While a huge challenge, she says the pandemic gave her the opportunity to better understand employees varying needs and recognize the need for flexibility and remote work opportunities, and better move forward with those needs in mind. Additionally, she says she feels the recipe for success is all members of the team – architects, builders, subcontractors, subconsultants, and owners – working together to successfully execute a project for maximum benefit to the client and end users.
