Navigating Major Programmes
Business & Finance
About
Have you ever wondered why 80 percent of major programmes are late and over budget? Are you skeptical about the pace of adoption of technology in the infrastructure industry? Is your leadership as a major programme professional different from leadership of other professions? Welcome to the Navigating Major Programmes podcast, the elevated conversation dedicated to the world of infrastructure and major programme management. Join Riccardo Cosentino, a Major Programmes Senior Executive with over 20 years experience, along with the industry’s thought leaders as they delve into your disconcerting questions on programme design, delivery, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, along with the most controversial subjects facing infrastructure professionals today. As misconceptions are dismantled, industry standards questioned and fresh ideas are shared, you’ll walk away with new perspective. The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/
Episodes
- Winning the Bid: Preparing for a Successful Infrastructure Proposal
This episode delves into the complex process behind preparing successful infrastructure proposals, exploring strategic positioning, partnership decisions, and the internal calculus of pursuing a bid. It examines the resource-intensive work…
- Essential Leadership Qualities for Legacy Infrastructure Outcomes with Bruce McCuaig
Bruce McCuaig, with extensive experience in infrastructure, discusses essential leadership qualities for major projects. He highlights the importance of listening, guiding teams, collaborative risk management, and the shift towards allianc…
- The Indigenous Imperative in Canada’s Infrastructure Future with Matthew Jackson
Matthew Jackson, VP of Indigenous Partnerships at Hydro One, shares insights on transforming infrastructure projects by viewing Indigenous communities as partners rather than risks. He highlights Hydro One's successful 50/50 equity partner…
- Engineering Leadership: Empathy and Self-Reflection in Tech Management
In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, leaders Riccardo and Shormila explore people management in engineering. They discuss empathy, self-reflection, feedback delivery, and the challenges of managing teams within complex organizat…
- Unlocking the Economic Potential of Canada’s North with Sima Sahar Zerehi
Sima Sahar Zerehi highlights the economic potential of Canada's North, focusing on infrastructure projects in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon. She stresses the importance of building relationships with Inuit and Indigenous or…
- The Soft Skills that Build Lasting Infrastructure with Marilyn Spink
Marilyn Spink joins Navigating Major Programmes to discuss how skills often coded as feminine, alongside long-term planning and accountability, transform major project outcomes. She shares expertise on engineering successes and failures, a…
- Learning, Leaping, and Leadership in Infrastructure with Evgenia Jilina
Evgenia Jilina and Riccardo discuss career development in infrastructure, lifelong learning, and the impact of life stages on professional women. They also touch upon the evolution of delivery models and the role of AI in leadership.
- Income vs. Outcome: Defining Infrastructure Value and Investing in Innovation
The Navigating Major Programmes podcast discusses how value in infrastructure is defined and measured. Panelists reflect on the shift from long-term outcomes to short-term metrics and explore ideas like an infrastructure incubator to foste…
- Digging Deeper: Ontario's Underground Mapping Revolution with Mitch Panciuk
Mitch Panciuk and Riccardo discuss the digital twin initiative by Ontario One Call to create a province-wide underground infrastructure map. This project aims to improve safety, efficiency, and cost-savings for excavation projects and futu…
- Where Canada Went Wrong on Rail with Michael Schabas
Michael Schabas, a rail strategist, joins Riccardo to discuss how Canada, particularly Ontario, could improve its rail transit planning. They cover issues like poor technology choices, weak route selection, and procurement strategies, and…
- Young Leaders in Infrastructure: Building a More Accessible Industry
This episode discusses the experiences of young professionals in the infrastructure industry, focusing on challenges like adapting to new technologies and building community. Guests share insights on how YLI supports career development, me…
- The Challenges and Rewards of Prioritizing Benefit Realization on Major Projects
This episode discusses prioritizing benefit realization in major infrastructure projects, questioning the focus on time and budget over long-term public benefit. It explores decision trade-offs, innovation in bidding, and the role of proje…
- The Positive Impact of External Legal Counsel on Major Projects with Sahil Shoor
This episode discusses the positive impact of external legal counsel on major projects, emphasizing proactive dispute resolution. Sahil Shoor explains how early issue resolution and structured governance tools are crucial for project succe…
- Montreal’s REM Project: Accepting Risk, Owner Expertise, and Accountability (Part 2 of 2)
This episode, part two of a discussion on Montreal's REM project, analyzes the project's risk decisions and their implications for long-term infrastructure delivery. It explores how risk shifts, the importance of long-horizon thinking, own…
- Exploring CDPQ Infra’s REM Playbook: Financing, Risk, and Delivery (Part 1 of 2)
Part 1 of 2 on Montreal’s REM project features experts discussing its unique governance and financing model, with CDPQ Infra acting as developer and financier. The conversation explores the conditions enabling its success, accountability,…
- Breaking Down Government Budget Decisions for Major Projects with Peter Weltman
Peter Weltman discusses government budget decisions for major projects, explaining how factors like confidence intervals and political priorities influence funding. The episode covers the Treasury Board of Canada's decision-making process,…
- Leading Through Change in Infrastructure with Jennifer Quinn
Jennifer Quinn, CEO of Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport’s terminal operator, shares insights on building a career in infrastructure, leading teams, and navigating industry changes. She reflects on her journey as a female, queer C-suite execu…
- Building an Engaging Infrastructure Podcast from the Ground Up
This episode of Navigating Major Programmes reveals the pre- and post-production processes involved in creating the show, discussing guest recruitment, scheduling challenges, and the impact of AI on podcasting.
- Leadership, Courage, and Alignment in Major Projects
This episode wraps up Season 3 of Navigating Major Programmes, reviewing the past year
- Systems Engineering: From Contract Requirements to Project Realization with Jared Theriault
Jared Theriault discusses the role of systems engineering in major construction projects, explaining how components are integrated and managed. The episode covers tools, processes, data management, and the impact of AI on the future of the…
- Cross-Sector Applied Learning in Major Programme Management with Tim Fitch
This episode of Navigating Major Programmes features Tim Fitch discussing cross-sector applications in major programme management. He shares lessons from diverse roles in building development and market strategy, highlighting enduring patt…
- The Future of the Infrastructure Conversation: 2026 and Beyond
This episode reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 in the infrastructure industry, discussing challenges in decision-making, systemic barriers to innovation, and potential solutions including public finance and hybrid contracts. It high…
- The Risk, Cost, and Advisory Roles of the Project Control Manager with Mohammed “Moody” Saad
This episode features Mohammed “Moody” Saad discussing the project control manager's role in major programmes. He clarifies misconceptions, emphasizing its function as a critical support system enabling clear decision-making for project ma…
- The Promise and Imperfections of Canada’s Infrastructure Industry with Damian Joy
Damian Joy and Riccardo discuss the evolution of Canada's infrastructure industry, including the rise of P3s and collaborative models. They provide a SWOT analysis of social infrastructure projects, highlighting leadership, governance, and…
- Innovating for Infrastructure from the Ground Up with Teresa Gonzalez Rico
Teresa Gonzalez Rico discusses building innovation into major infrastructure projects from the ground up. The episode covers the role of the UK's Catapult Network, the benefits of cross-sector collaboration, digitization, and the impact of…
- Fast‑Track or Bottleneck? The Pros and Cons of Canada’s New Major Projects Agencies
This episode discusses the effectiveness of Canada
- Human-Specific Skills vs. AI in Major Project Controls with Dale Foong
Dale Foong joins Riccardo to explore AI's evolving role in project controls for major projects. They discuss how AI tools are transforming the field, the importance of communication and data storytelling, and the future of the project cont…
- Self-Improvement and Strategic Leadership in Infrastructure with Annie Ropar
Annie Ropar, CFO of the UK’s National Wealth Fund, joins Riccardo and Shormila to discuss lifelong learning, leadership humility, and purpose-driven management. The conversation covers her career transition from finance to infrastructure,…
- Stewards of the Public Good: Defining Project Sponsorship with Andrew Antinucci and Carol Deveney
This episode defines the role of project sponsors in major public programs, particularly in Canadian public transit infrastructure. Guests Andrew Antinucci and Carol Deveney discuss how sponsors identify and defend both monetizing and non-…
- Powering Our Planet: the Promise of Major Nuclear Energy Projects with Julianne den Decker
Julianne den Decker explains why nuclear energy is essential for the global energy situation, discussing its role in decarbonization, security, and AI's energy demands. The episode covers the history and comeback of nuclear energy, CANDU r…
- AI Agents at the Table: the Evolution of Disputes in Major Projects
This episode discusses the evolving landscape of disputes in major projects, driven by AI, new procurement strategies, and alliance contracts. It explores how these changes affect dispute resolution, legal considerations, and the use of da…
- Systems Change: Building the Skills to Lead in Public-Private Partnerships with Lisa Mitchell
Lisa Mitchell, CEO of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, shares her journey and insights on leading national infrastructure projects. The episode explores modernizing P3s, fostering collaboration, and the unique aspects…
- Canada’s Future as an Innovator in Major Projects with Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy, EVP at AECON, discusses the future of nation-building infrastructure in Canada, exploring challenges like political will, regulatory hurdles, and Indigenous reconciliation. The conversation highlights the need for courage, coll…
- The Long Game: Finance, Policy, and Leadership in Infrastructure with Sara Alvarado
Sara Alvarado shares her experiences in infrastructure finance, detailing her role in establishing infrastructure as an asset class in Canada and her involvement in renewable energy financing and global UN guidelines on digitalization and…
- The Leadership Gap: Building Better Leaders for the Future of Canadian Infrastructure
This episode addresses the challenge of developing leaders for Canada's upcoming infrastructure boom, examining the gap between technical expertise and leadership skills. It explores systemic solutions for delivering major projects on time…
- Multinational, Multidisciplinary, Misaligned? Fixing What Gets in the Way of Project Success
This episode of Navigating Major Programmes, titled "Multinational, Multidisciplinary, Misaligned? Fixing What Gets in the Way of Project Success," features Shormila, Riccardo, David Ho, and Melissa Di Marco. They explore how diverse persp…
- The Impact of Paddington Square’s Public Art Project with Jonathan Ring
This episode features Jonathan Ring discussing the public art program at Paddington Square. The conversation covers the evolution of the art program within the redevelopment project, stakeholder engagement, and the profound impact of publi…
- How to Bring the Right People to the Table with Kirsten Watson
Kirsten Watson shares insights on career growth in the industry without an engineering degree, emphasizing continuous learning and leveraging strengths. She discusses the interpersonal aspects of major infrastructure projects, leadership s…
- From P3s to Alliance Contracts: Building Better Projects Together with Fred Antunes
This episode features Fred Antunes discussing how to build better projects through collaborative contracting, drawing on his 15 years of experience in infrastructure. He highlights the crucial role of the team, owner engagement, and approp…
- Defying Doubt and Redefining Leadership with Ethel Craft
Ethel Craft shares her journey from social services to leading Ottawa’s rail construction program, emphasizing integrity, empathy, and mentorship. She highlights the importance of a support system and genuine care in leadership, encouragin…
- Dare to Disrupt: Skill Shortages, Leadership, and Innovation in Infrastructure
David Ho and Riccardo discuss infrastructure skill shortages and leadership challenges in Canada. They explore how cultural issues, fear of risk, and resistance to innovation hinder the industry's progress and discuss potential catalysts f…
- Infrastructure Planning Meets Social Purpose with Matti Siemiatycki
Matti Siemiatycki discusses integrating social purpose into urban infrastructure planning, moving beyond traditional roads and bridges. He explores how mixed-use spaces, university support, and a mindset shift towards social value can tran…
- Delivering Major Nuclear Energy Projects with Collaboration in Mind with Carol Tansley
Carol Tansley shares insights on leading major nuclear energy projects, her career journey from consulting to X-Energy, and emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder management, collaboration, and humility in project success.
- Public–Private Partnerships Part 2: Contracts, Contractors, and True Collaboration
This episode, the second on public-private partnerships, delves into the practical aspects of P3s, including contract design, collaboration, and the human factors influencing project outcomes. Experts discuss challenges in achieving output…
- Public–Private Partnerships Part 1: The Evolution of P3 in Canada
This episode explores the evolution of Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) in Canada, with experts discussing changes in project delivery, funding, and risk-sharing. Key takeaways include how project decisions differ based on funding, the dy…
- Outcomes Before Process: When Collaborative Contracts Are Doomed To Fail
This episode of Navigating Major Programmes features industry pirates discussing collaborative contracts in infrastructure. Panelists David Ho, Melissa Di Marco, and Shormila Chatterjee explore issues like core competency shortcomings, dec…
- Public Art Installation as an Intrinsic Part of Building Development with Corail Bourrelier Fabiani
This episode discusses the development of public art installations within major building projects, featuring Corail Bourrelier Fabiani. It covers the collaboration required between artists, planners, developers, and architects, the challen…
- Construction Technology and the Importance of Industry Adaptation with Alice Leung
Alice Leung shares her decade of experience in construction tech and venture capital, discussing the evolution of AEC technology, challenges for startups, and the importance of industry adaptation. The episode covers opportunities, limitat…
- Managing Risk: Striking an Insurance Leadership and Personal Life Balance with Sarah Roberts
Sarah Roberts, President of INTECH Risk Management, shares insights on managing professional and personal life in the C-suite. The episode explores the history of insurance, the significance of clear communication and professional liabilit…
- The Interplay Between Infrastructure and Government Policy with David Ho
David Ho joins Riccardo to explore the interplay between infrastructure and government policy. They discuss how policy shapes major projects, the nuances of policymaking, and the importance of understanding the root problems infrastructure…