DBIA NextGen/Young Professionals Event – Design-Build 101
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Join us on April 30th, 2026, from 5:30 PM – 07:30 PM at the New York Institute of Technology – 1855 Broadway (at 61st Street) New York, NY 10023.
Design-Build 101 is an introductory event created to give students a clear and practical understanding of one of the most important and increasingly used project delivery methods in the construction industry. As projects continue to grow in complexity, speed, and scale, understanding how Design-Build works has become essential for future professionals entering the built environment.
This session will begin with welcome remarks and introductions, followed by an overview of project delivery methods to help students understand where Design-Build fits within the broader industry landscape. The program will then explore why Design-Build has become such a valuable delivery approach, highlighting its key benefits, including collaboration, efficiency, innovation, and stronger alignment between design and construction.
Students will also gain insight into Design-Build from multiple perspectives. The owner’s perspective will examine why owners choose this method and what they seek in terms of value, risk management, schedule, and project outcomes. The design-builder’s perspective will provide a closer look at how integrated teams work together to deliver projects more effectively. The session will also introduce DBIA Best Practices and explain how these principles support successful project delivery.
To connect theory with practice, the event will feature real project examples that demonstrate how Design-Build is applied in the field and how teams navigate real-world challenges. The program will conclude with a discussion on career pathways, key skills, and professional resources available to students who are interested in pursuing opportunities in construction, infrastructure, project management, and integrated project delivery.
Design-Build 101 is intended to be both educational and engaging, offering students a strong foundation in Design-Build while exposing them to its growing relevance across the industry. The event will close with a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their understanding of the topics presented.
Four Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the fundamentals of project delivery methods and identify how Design-Build differs from other delivery approaches.
2. Recognize the key benefits and industry value of Design-Build, including collaboration, efficiency, and integration between design and construction.
3. Gain insight into how Design-Build is viewed and implemented from both the owner’s and design-builder’s perspectives.
4. Explore career pathways, skills, and professional resources that can help students pursue opportunities in Design-Build and the broader construction industry.
*Earn Continuing Education credit.
Light fare and refreshments will be served.
Many thanks to our venue host,
Many thanks to our Food & Beverage sponsor,
A DBE/MBE/SBE Technology Solutions Company
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VASQUEZ INTERGRATORS
Meet Our Guest Speakers
Mackenzie Baert, PMP, DBIA
Senior Project Manager
Arup US, Inc
Mackenzie Baert is a Senior Project Manager in the Program and Project Management team in Arup’s New York Office. She has a breadth of experience in a variety of industries including infrastructure, healthcare, natural resources, and real estate. Mackenzie’s professional experiences have driven her career abroad having worked across Europe, North America and Latin America. Her work at Arup is centered around the delivery of complex projects and programs with multi-disciplinary teams, engaged from the outset at concept planning stages through to construction. In her current role, she focuses on improving capabilities for and supporting alternative delivery projects. Mackenzie is an active member of DBIA NextGen Committee.
Jung Hyun Lee, PHD, assoc. DBIA
Assistant Professor
SUNY Farmingdale State College
Jung Hyun Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Construction Management at SUNY Farmingdale State College. Her work focuses on project delivery methods, construction risk management, and construction contracts. She has experience in design-build through research and industry collaboration, including projects supported by the Georgia Department of Transportation. She is an Associate DBIA and an active member of the DBIA NextGen Committee , and DBIA National Student/Academia Outreach and Engagement Committee.
Sheriff Naggar, Project Manager & Claims Consultant
Hill International, Inc.
Sheriff Naggar is a Project Manager & Claims Consultant with over 10 years of experience delivering mega Design-Build infrastructure programs, including projects with an aggregate portfolio exceeding $35B. He has supported landmark initiatives such as the Hudson Tunnel Project, Borough-Based Jail Program, and Penn Station Expansion, specializing in project management, risk management, dispute resolution, cost control, scheduling, and contract administration. Sheriff serves as Chair of DBIA NextGen and holds a Master of Science in Construction Management from Columbia University and a Program in Finance and Behavioral Economics from Harvard Business School.