A Transformational Tale

Compared to when he began, Vince Mazzeffi's life looked a lot different after he graduated from Northwestern Engineering’s Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program.  

During that time he got married, welcomed his first child, and took on a new role as director of construction at Ameresco. 

“Balancing all of that was certainly challenging at times," Vince (EMDC '25) said. "Despite new and difficult sleep patterns, I never felt overwhelmed by the program and was excited to engage with the coursework." 

That excitement now is directed toward his work at Ameresco, an energy infrastructure solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Vince joined the company in May and leads the delivery of energy and infrastructure projects across the Midwest.  

“What excites me most is the combination of complexity and purpose,” he said. “These projects are technically demanding, but they also have real impact by reducing emissions, modernizing infrastructure, and helping institutions operate more sustainably.” 

It’s a role he didn’t expect to have when he started the EMDC program. Vince had spent more than two decades working for an electrical construction and design company, most recently as its director of operations, and had no intent to change jobs.   

But as he moved through the EMDC program’s hybrid structure—with online instruction mixed with quarterly intensive in-person weekend sessions—Vince’s ideas changed and grew.  

“EMDC helped me step back and understand how my experience fit within the broader built world and, more importantly, helped me clarify the direction I wanted my career to take,” he said. “The program gave me the language and confidence to articulate my impact in interviews and evaluate opportunities more thoughtfully.”  

And so despite the challenges brought by going back to school and building a family, the new job opportunity was one he couldn't forgo.  

He credited the EMDC program’s faculty with making it possible for students to balance school, work, and their everyday lives. 

“What made everything manageable was the respect the instructors showed for students as working professionals,” he said. “There was a genuine understanding that our work, families, and responsibilities outside the classroom were real and demanding. That level of trust and respect made it easier to stay engaged and perform at a high level.” 

In less than a year, he has helped lead a portfolio of energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, and large institutional projects. His work includes large university HVAC retrofits, photovoltaic initiatives for municipal partners, and complex central plant installations. 

“I enjoy building teams, solving problems in real time, and seeing ideas move from concept to something tangible in the field,” Vince said. “I also enjoy working at the cutting edge of technology, which is something Ameresco actively embraces as it works to lead the energy transition.”  

Though his EMDC experience is now in his rearview mirror, he remains grateful for the time he had in the program.  

“What makes this program special is the people,” Vince said. “Every class brings together classmates and instructors with different perspectives and experiences, all genuinely invested in improving themselves and the industry. It is inspiring to see what is possible when talented, passionate professionals work together toward shared goals.”