Each year, the Design-Build Delivers Podcast chats with ED/CEO Lisa Washington, CAE, and DBIA’s new National Board Chair about what’s ahead for the industry.
In this episode, Washington and host Erin Looney are joined by 2026 National Board Chair Virginia McAllister, RA, LEED, NCARB, NCIDQ, DBIA, for a forward-looking conversation on collaboration, risk and the priorities shaping design-build in the coming year. Together, they explore what’s driving the continued growth of design-build, where teams tend to struggle and how education and shared understanding remain essential as design-build expands.
The discussion also touches on how DBIA is evolving to meet the moment, from expanded access to resources and membership to new and updated education designed to support owners and practitioners navigating design-build for the first — or fiftieth — time.
Guests
Virginia McAllister, RA, LEED, NCARB, NCIDQ, DBIA
2026 DBIA National Board Chair
CEO, Iron Horse Architects
Denver, Colorado
Executive Director/CEO
Design-Build Institute of America
Washington, D.C.
“It’s Still Painted the Wrong Color”: Lisa Washington and Virginia McAllister on Collaboration, Risk and 2026
Resources
Want to learn more? Check out these resources mentioned in the episode:
- DBIA Education
- DBIA Certification
- DBIA Bookstore: Find Owner Advisor, Legislation, Progressive Design-Build and other resources mentioned in the episode.
Chapters
0:00 – Welcome to 2026
2:25 – What Real Collaboration Actually Looks Like
6:23 – Design-Build’s Growth and DBIA’s Role
12:36 – When Projects Go Off Track
18:13 – Education, Certification and First-Time Owners
26:32 – Expanding Access: Membership and Regional Engagement
33:50 – 2026 Priorities
The Design-Build Delivers Podcast is sponsored by ARKANCE. Learn more at arkance.us/dbia.
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