Emerging Leaders Forum: Communicate to Connect

Stephen Dummit is President of Tradewinds Leadership, a training and development firm dedicated to making mental health and psychological safety as essential as physical safety in blue-collar workplaces.

A former electrical contractor turned coach and facilitator, Stephen brings firsthand experience to his work with frontline workers, foremen, safety professionals, and leaders. He is known for meeting people where they are and connecting with hardened field personnel in a way that feels credible, practical, and unforced. His work helps bridge the gap between corporate initiatives and field realities, addressing tough issues with tools leaders can actually use on the job.

Through hands-on workshops, leadership labs, and coaching, Stephen helps leaders at every level strengthen communication, build trust, and create healthier, more resilient teams without asking them to soften their edge or become someone they are not. His approach centers on experiential learning, replacing passive instruction with authentic connection.

Tim Robben is an Area Manager at Teichert Construction, where he has spent sixteen years building a career rooted in the industry he grew up in. Raised around underground construction through his father’s work, Tim came to Teichert as a sophomore in college and never left. In the years since, he has managed nearly four hundred million dollars worth of work and delivered over seventy-five projects.

As an Area Manager, Tim leads with the credibility that comes from having done the work himself. He understands the pressures foremen and field leaders carry daily, and he knows firsthand what it takes to earn respect in environments where authority has to be demonstrated, not assumed. His approach to leadership is practical and authentic, focused on clear communication, real accountability, and closing the gap between the people giving direction and the people getting it done.

At this panel, Tim brings perspective on how to communicate effectively with foremen and field leadership, how to understand and respond to the stressors people face at every level, and how young leaders can lead with confidence and authenticity without waiting for a title to give them permission.

Melinda Berge is a Senior Project Manager at Joseph J. Albanese with twelve years of construction experience across California. Her work focuses on complex, high-impact environments where success depends on strong coordination, adaptability, and clear communication across teams.

Melinda’s approach to leadership has been shaped by working closely with both field and office teams, giving her a practical understanding of the challenges each group faces. She is known for creating alignment in fast-paced project environments – translating priorities, setting clear expectations, and helping teams stay connected when the pressure is high.

In addition to her project work, Melinda is actively involved in the industry through the Associated General Contractors of California, where she serves on the South Bay District Board. Her involvement reflects a broader commitment to developing people, strengthening the construction workforce, and building more connected, effective teams across the industry.

At this panel, Melinda brings a grounded perspective on communication as a leadership skill – how to connect across roles, backgrounds, and experience levels to build trust, improve collaboration, and drive better outcomes in the field.

Jessica Van Strander has been an Engineer and Estimator with Granite Construction in the greater Sacramento Area for 2 years. With over 15 years of industry experience, Jessica brings a diverse background in business development, field operations, and estimating, with past roles at both mid-sized and large firms in railroad and heavy civil construction. Her breadth of experience equips her with a comprehensive understanding of career progression and industry dynamics throughout California and beyond.

Jessica’s leadership style centers on uniting teams and building alignment so everyone is working toward the same goal.

On this panel, Jessica highlights communication as a key leadership skill – showing how strong connections build trust, improve teamwork, and deliver better field outcomes.