Talking with Alana Luppi about breaking cycles, building culture and backing the next gen of builders

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! Thanks for joining me today on The Building Talks Podcast, got a ripper episode lined up… In this episode, I’m joined by Alana “Lu” Luppi, Senior Project Manager at ESR Group. From cleaning site sheds and abseiling high-rises to leading major commercial builds, Lu’s journey into construction is anything but ordinary. We chat about how mentoring over 40 emerging professionals shaped her career, the story behind launching the Speak Up Foundation, and why emotional intelligence and continuous training matter more than bravado. If you care about culture, growth and fixing the industry’s training gaps, this one"s for you. Takeaways: ✅ Mentoring done right can keep people in the industry ✅ Curiosity trumps bravado in great leaders ✅ The industry needs more structured training and support ✅ Speaking up changes culture from the inside ✅ You don’t have to “do it tough” just because others did Chapters: 04:40 – The Toughness of the Construction Industry 08:52 – Personal Journey into Construction 12:19 – Gender Dynamics in Construction 17:03 – Career Pivots and Education 20:05 – Mentorship and Support Systems 28:15 – Empowering Women and Marginalised Group in Construction 31:54 – Addressing Bias and Inclusion in the Industry 33:33 – The Role of Mentorship in Career Development 36:12 – Challenges in In-House Career Development 39:05 – The Importance of Leadership and Support 42:03 – Creating a Supportive Work Environment 44:39 – The Speak Up Foundation’s Mission 50:01 – The Future of Training and Development in Construction 58:39 – Evolving Mindsets and Personal Growth 01:00:46 – The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership 01:03:18 – Navigating Challenges in Project Management 01:07:32 – Time Management and Reflection in Construction 01:10:52 – The Journey of Writing a Book 01:16:31 – Balancing Passion Projects with Professional Life Tune in for an honest, energising chat on what it really takes to create a better future for construction. Hope you enjoy the podcast! #TheBuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionLeadership #MentoringMatters #MentalHealthInConstruction #SpeakUpFoundation #WomenInConstruction #ESRGroup #ProjectManagement #IndustryCulture  The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit:    www.buildingenvirons.com.au    Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!  www.housingallaustralians.org.au The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Contact The Building Talks Podcast Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram Visit us on our website Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au