Elaine Forbes is the Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. She is leading the Port vision for a safe, clean, and vibrant waterfront.

Due to her leadership, neighborhood communities at Mission Rock, 88 Broadway, and others provide more economic activation and vitality, open space, new affordable homes, and robust climate change measures to ensure the new developments will serve future generations.

She is leading the Waterfront Resilience Program to address sea level rise along the Port’s 7.5-mile jurisdiction. This first-of-its-kind project in collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers integrates a groundbreaking analysis of social and environmental benefits alongside traditional economic evaluations.

Forbes’ steadfast commitment to equity has transformed the Port into a welcoming space for all, ensuring the waterfront reflects the diversity, vibrancy, and shared goal of the anti-racist community San Francisco seeks.

Director Forbes was born in San Francisco, lives close to the waterfront, and is an avid Bay swimmer.

Ted Hyman is a Partner in ZGF’s Los Angeles office focused on designing high-performance environments. During Ted’s 45-year career, he has led teams for many of ZGF’s most challenging and technologically complex projects, taking responsibility for programming, management, coordination, production, and construction administration. His projects have set new standards for innovation and environmental stewardship, creating efficient, flexible, and stimulating environments through the integration of functional, technical, and sustainable design challenges. Recognized as a leader in sustainable design, Ted was one of a handful of U.S. architects invited to participate in a historic forum in China in 2016 to address China’s commitment to signing the Paris Agreement and establish Zero-Net Carbon (ZNC) as a necessary and achievable goal for buildings and developments.

Juli Kawahata is a Project Director for the California Department of General Services. She has been in the design and construction industry for over 20 years, which includes spending the last 8 years working on some of DGS’s largest and most significant design-build projects. Juli is currently the Project Director overseeing a major renovation of the historical Gregory Bateson Building, a $200M progressive design-build project. Previous work with DGS includes the Richards Boulevard Office Complex, the Clifford L. Allenby Building, the State Printing Plant demolition, and handful of ground-up DMV field offices. Prior to working for the State, Juli spent many years in the private sector working for various architectural firms. She has a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture and is a DBIA certified professional, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a Certified Construction Manager (CCM).

Sutter Health Sr. Project Manager for the Bay Area Silicon Valley Capital Projects, currently the lead on Sutter’s Santa Clara flagship Regional Ambulatory Campus. Cal has led a career delivering significant healthcare facilities as well as other complex projects with the focus on IPD. A leader in collaborative project delivery methods that emphasize Lean Principles, innovation, and value creation. He specializes in creating and leading high-performing teams that challenge the industry norms with the goal of driving reliable results. Before being on the Owner’s side of the industry he has IPD experience with Herrero Builders being the general contractor on large healthcare projects such as the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital, Sutter Health Van Ness Campus Hospital, and Sutter Health Alta Bates Hospital. Cal graduated from Cal Pol San Luis Obispo with a degree in Structural Engineering, he is LCI certified, and certified in advanced estimating and integrated cost management.

Baris, a 25-year veteran in the field of construction and an executive leader at Boldt, is well-known for his expertise in IPD, and collaborative project delivery. While Baris is broadly experienced, some of his most impactful contributions center around significant healthcare projects and brings a passion for learning, innovation and a focus on engaging the power in people. An adept facilitator and presenter, Baris’ leadership in IPD and DB helps shape a more knowledgeable and partnered design and construction community.

I have worked in numerous capacities in electrical construction since beginning my IBEW apprenticeship in 1987. As president of Del Monte Electric, I have stressed the importance of collaboration and accountability throughout our organization. We have invested countless hours educating our team on how to use Lean Principles to become a strong IPD team member. We are passionate about the relationships we are building.

Alex Murillo, Manager of Public Affairs and Communications for Construction, for the City & County of San Francisco's Department of Public Works. Born a San Francisco native and working with the agency for almost 20 years, Alex's extensive knowledge and familiarity of San Francisco is unmatched. Prior to joining City government in all aspects of Public Relations, he worked in the TV & radio industry. Ask him to share a few words and his voice alone is a telltale sign. Having grown up in San Francisco, he is a product of the SF Unified School District, graduating from Lowell High School and continuing his education at San Francisco State University, graduating with his B.A. in Communications. He has played a key role in many construction projects throughout the City, including solving disagreements between contractors, City agencies, and the general public. He has earned his title as a Public Works Certified Partnering Facilitator.

As Vice President of Real Estate Development for the San Francisco Giants, Julian is responsible for managing Mission Rock, a partnership with Tishman Speyer and the City of San Francisco, that will deliver a mixed-use neighborhood south of the ballpark with eight acres of parks and 3.5 million square feet of commercial and residential development. Julian leads the Giants’ day-to-day development activities and represents the Giants’ interests in all aspects of the project.

Prior to joining the Giants, Julian devoted himself to building sustainable communities in other parts of San Francisco, including Treasure Island and the former Candlestick Park site. Julian received his BA in psychology from the University of British Columbia and master’s degrees in architecture and real estate development from Columbia University.

Julian loves exploring new places, eating lovingly-prepared meals, making beautiful things, and acting silly with his wife Liz and their daughter Laurel. They live in Portland, Oregon, with their three chickens: Bling-Bling, Bean Bowl and Nuage.

As an Operations Manager at Hensel Phelps with 22 years of industry experience, John Petty provides leadership and vision critical to a collaborative team culture and the successful completion of his projects. Most recently, John led the $935 Million May Lee State Office Complex project for the California Department of General Services and is now partnering with the Judicial Council of California to lead the New Ukiah Courthouse project. John is an advocate for the use of design-build throughout the AEC industry, a champion of collaborative partnering and cares deeply about client happiness and satisfaction. He graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management and is a DBIA Certified Professional, an IPI Certified Project Leader and LEED Accredited Professional.

Rob Reaugh is a professional facilitator, mediator, trainer and keynote speaker in the field of construction conflict prevention and resolution. He joined OrgMetrics team in 2012, has facilitated more than 100 sessions, and has worked as a professional mediator since 2007. From 2011 – 2016, Rob served as the first, full time Executive Director for International Partnering Institute, the industry’s only non-profit organization focused on developing and aggregating research and educating the industry on the value and best practices in Structured Collaborative Partnering. He continues to volunteer for IPI and serves on the Board of Directors.

Carla Short was appointed Director of San Francisco Public Works by Mayor London Breed on Nov. 8, 2023. She had been serving as Interim Director since August 2021.

Prior to serving in the department’s top post, Short was superintendent of the Bureau of Urban Forestry. She began her career with Public Works in 2004 as the City’s Urban Forester and became superintendent in 2015. She filled in as the department’s Deputy Director for Operations for eight months starting in fall 2019 and served as deputy chief of the Bureau of Street-use and Mapping.

During her tenure at the Bureau of Urban Forestry, she led the development and implementation of StreetTreeSF, a voter-approved initiative that transferred maintenance responsibility of San Francisco’s 124,000-plus street trees to Public Works and created a sustainable funding stream to pay for the program.

Short holds a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies and English from Vassar College. She also studied African literature, history, religion and culture at University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

Prior to joining Public Works, she worked for several nonprofits, including Conservation International, Conservation Society of Sierra Leone and Tombo Wallah Farmers Association, spearheading conservation initiatives in West Africa.

She is a Certified Arborist under the International Society of Arboriculture.

As Senior Vice President at Webcor, Tom Taylor brings over 36 years of construction leadership to complex, high-profile projects. He provides executive oversight across all phases of project delivery, ensuring teams are resourced, aligned, and operating at peak performance. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Tom cultivates high-performing, unified teams grounded in trust, accountability, and a “project-first” mindset.

Tom has extensive experience leading progressive design-build (PDB) projects, including multiple high-value programs at San Francisco International Airport. He served as Executive on the award-winning SFO Terminal 1 Boarding Area B project, a recipient of the International Partnering Institute’s Diamond Partnered Project Award. His leadership on this and other large-scale efforts reflects a deep understanding of the nuanced coordination and trust-building required for successful collaborative delivery.

A longtime advocate for partnering and a committed contributor to the International Partnering Institute community, Tom is passionate about establishing strong project cultures—from trades to executive leadership—where open communication and shared goals drive results. With expertise in contract negotiation, compliance, and risk management, he plays a vital role in delivering successful outcomes from planning through closeout.