Inside Our Program / EventsBuiltX
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Several times a year, the Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program hosts Northwestern's Built Environment Exchange (BuiltX) - an idea forum and networking event for members of the built environment – which benefits both EMDC students and professionals working in the built environment.
BuiltX is designed for attendees to network, openly discuss best practices, and gain objective insights on industry trends. The forum covers a broad range of industry topics through fireside chats, panel discussions, and keynote speakers and encompasses participants from all industries within the built environment to foster a network of knowledge across disciplines and forge meaningful professional connections.
In partnership with COAA-IL, a Chapter of the Construction Owners Association of America, this networking and educational event will feature a panel discussion, "Designing Alignment: Integrating People, Process, and Technology in Project Delivery."
Alignment doesn’t happen by accident … it has to be designed. This panel explores how successful teams intentionally integrate people, process, and technology to support effective project delivery. With voices from ownership, design, construction, technology, and people-focused leadership, the panel will unpack how trust, communication, and decision-making culture influence results. This session is designed for professionals seeking practical insight across the broad spectrum of leadership, technology, design, and construction.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Ivan Mutis and feature:
- John Nguyen, Vice President & Head of Life Sciences - Executive Construction Inc.
- Troy Hoggard, Regional Design Director - CannonDesign
- Sheryl Van Anne, Vice President & General Manager - Mortenson
- Larry Blouin, Senior Director Capital Programs - Facilities Northwestern University
Explore how the built environment sector can more effectively prepare its next generation of executives with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to lead in a rapidly evolving economic and professional landscape.
Event Details
Date - Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Time - 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CDT
Location - SLOAN Showroom
Address - 333 N. Green Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL
Please note the building entrance to 333 N. Green St. is around the corner on 810 W. Wayman Ave.
Agenda
7:30 a.m. - Continental breakfast and networking
7:50 a.m. - Opening remarks and introductions, EMDC program director Shelley C. Finnigan
8:00 a.m. - Panel discussion and Q&A
9:00 a.m. - Networking
Panel Participants
Moderator
Dr. Ivan Mutis
Director of the Advanced Computing, Informatics, Sensing, and Semantics Technology for Civil and Construction Engineering Laboratory (IconsSense Lab), and associate professor of civil, architectural, and environmental engineering in construction engineering and management (CEM) - Illinois Institute of Technology.
Dr. Mutis is the director of the Advanced Computing, Informatics, Sensing, and Semantics Technology for Civil and Construction Engineering Laboratory (IconsSense Lab), and associate professor of civil, architectural, and environmental engineering in the construction engineering and management (CEM) program at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. By focusing on the interplay among AI, robotics, informatics, and technology, and the social fabric of projects, Dr. Mutis aims to reconceptualize how we design, construct, and experience the built environment, thereby improving perception, cognitive performance, and decision-making. His research aims to increase the efficiency and well-being of all project stakeholders, from designers and builders to operators and users. His work employs the latest technologies, including computing, sensing, and robotics, to design innovative approaches to address challenges across the life cycle of buildings and infrastructure projects.
Dr. Mutis has supported his vision from the convergence of construction engineering, computer science, and informatics. As a lead investigator, Dr. Mutis’ current research portfolio exceeds $1.5M in awarded funds, which are facilitating a breadth of projects ranging from topics on augmented intelligence, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and extended reality (XR Virtual, Mixed, and Augmented Reality), to workforce development, learning, and interoperability in construction. He is the founder and director of the Trimble Technology Laboratory at Illinois Tech, from a gift of $18 Million, aiming to benefit the students and researchers in the Illinois Tech community.
Panelists
John Nguyen
Vice President & Head of Life Science - Executive Construction Inc.
John serves as a global subject matter expert in highly regulated, laboratory environments. His strategic leadership across life sciences projects brings clarity, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to safety. With 20+ years of global experience across construction management, design, and laboratory operations, he understands the specialized demands of critical research facilities, including R&D, cGMP, vivaria, and chemical / material testing laboratories. By understanding the science, aligning how spaces are built with how clients operate, John delivers projects with precision and accountability, supporting safe, compliant environments from programming through occupancy.
Troy Hoggard AIA, EDAC
Regional Design Director - CannonDesign, Great Lakes Region
Troy Hoggard, AIA, EDAC is Regional Design Director for CannonDesign’s Great Lakes Region. A self-admitted design process geek, Troy is known for his ability to translate an organization’s culture into an architectural concept that excites and engages users, owners and the community. He believes his best work emerges from collaboration and consensus building, making the complex, sticky decisions seem obvious and simple. He uses these translative methods to articulate a vision for the project that aligns everyone with the goal of authorship. This creates a space for joy, meaning and memorable design. For almost 30 years Troy has designed award winning health care experiences with the belief that beauty emerges from deeply organized and interconnected decisions.
Troy’s accomplishments include designing Illinois’ first LEED Gold hospital, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, as well as the children’s museum–inspired Ehrman Crest Elementary and Middle School, which was named one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023. Current projects in design and construction include the OhioHealth Women’s Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Kenneth C. Griffin Pavilion and Seneca Valley School District’s Intermediate High School, among others.
Sheryl Van Anne
Vice President and General Manager - Mortenson
Sheryl joined Mortenson in 2003 and currently serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Chicago office leading the business development, marketing, design, and construction teams. Sheryl brings energy every day and is passionate about providing long-term facilities and solutions that serve our society. She actively advocates for women building careers in the construction industry and is proud to inspire others to make an impact. With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Sheryl has managed numerous large-scale projects throughout the Chicagoland area for customers like College of DuPage, University of Chicago, Harper College, United Airlines, and Endeavor Health. In 2016, Sheryl was selected as one of Building Design + Construction’s 40 Under 40 and was invited to participate in their inaugural Women in Design + Construction conference. She was also named to Constructech magazine’s 2018 Women in Construction. Sheryl lives in Downers Grove with her husband and three teenage daughters.
Larry Blouin
Senior Director, Capital Programs - Northwestern University
As Senior Director, Capital Programs at Northwestern University, Larry Blouin has more than 40 years of construction and facilities experience. He is an accomplished leader with a strong background in strategic planning, construction, and project management. Having held increasingly responsible positions in project management, most recently he is working closely with the senior management team of Facilities Management to develop strategic vision, foster collaboration and enhance project management services. Larry’s team is currently managing the design and construction of projects totaling more than $1.5 billion across two campuses.
Prior to joining Northwestern University, Blouin served as Executive Director, Capital Project Delivery at the University of Chicago. Here he successfully completed in excess of $1 billion of new construction and capital improvement projects. Larry also has held senior level management positions at national construction management firms. He is well versed in delivering projects using design build, CMaR, and stipulated sum delivery models. He has earned a B.S. in construction management from Bradley University.
More About Our Partner
The Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Owners deliver better capital projects. Through educational programs, events, and a collaborative professional network, COAA equips Owners and industry partners with the knowledge, tools, and relationships needed to improve project outcomes in cost, schedule, quality, and overall project delivery. By promoting The COAA Way, the association advances a collaborative approach to project delivery that replaces adversarial, transactional practices with partnership, transparency, and shared accountability.
COAA’s value extends beyond events and education. Members gain access to a community of professionals committed to the concept of the “good Owner” and continuous improvement in the built environment. Through leadership opportunities, volunteer engagement, and peer knowledge-sharing, members grow professionally while strengthening the industry.
