Hear What Mentorship Looks Like in Action
“It Was Just a Conversation at a Table.”
In the May 2025 episode of the Design-Build Delivers podcast, DBIA Fellow and Brunelleschi Award winner Bill Hasbrook shares how a simple conversation at a DBIA conference led to a transformative mentorship with Kent State senior Lola Preseren.
Their story offers two perspectives — a seasoned leader who believes deeply in developing future talent and a student who experienced firsthand what it means to be supported, connected and taken seriously early in her career.
If you’re wondering what mentorship can actually lead to, this episode makes it real.
Listen to Learn MoreQuestions?
Email the DBIA Membership Department.
What’s It About?
Mentorship isn’t a lecture over a cup of coffee or just a checkbox on a professional development plan. It’s a real relationship with someone who’s been where you want to go and who is willing to share what they’ve learned along the way.
Through DBIA’s mentorship program, students, young professionals, practitioners and Owners are matched with experienced DBIA Certified Professionals and DBIA Fellows who understand the design-build industry at the highest level. The goal is to have honest conversations, offer practical guidance and provide real-world perspectives you can’t get from a textbook.
Mentorship can create space for honest dialogue, thoughtful feedback and real growth.
Why Get Involved?
Careers don’t advance by accident. They accelerate when you have insight, access and support. Whether you’re just starting out on a career path or looking to level up, here’s what you can look forward to:
Clarity & Confidence
Learn what actually matters in this industry as well as how to position yourself for it.
Expanded Access
Mentors introduce mentees to networks, opportunities and industry experiences that would otherwise take years to reach. Students, for example, have the unique opportunity to shadow DBIA Fellows at DBIA’s Annual Conference, gaining exposure to leadership in action.
Practical Perspective
From navigating early career decisions to preparing for certification or leadership roles, mentoring offers guidance that’s grounded in experience.
Two-Way Growth
Strong mentoring relationships aren’t one-directional. Mentors gain fresh perspective, new ideas and a deeper connection to the next generation shaping the industry.
How it Works
The program is structured but flexible enough to allow each mentor/mentee to develop their own cadence.
Step 1: Apply
- DBIA Certified Professionals (DBIA®) and DBIA Fellows (FDBIA) in good standing can apply to serve as mentors.
- DBIA member students, young professionals, practitioners and Owners apply as mentees and identify their top 3 mentor preferences from the approved mentor pool.
Step 2: Get Matched
The DBIA Mentoring Committee reviews applications thoughtfully and connects mentors and mentees.
Step 3: Build the Relationship
Mentors commit to at least one year. What follows may include regular check-ins, career strategy conversations, conference meetups or guidance through key professional milestones. The structure provides consistency; the relationship creates the impact.
Become a Mentor
Collaboration is who we are. That’s why it’s so important experienced design-builders connect with students, young professionals, practitioners and Owners to help us fuel the connections vital to our industry. Becoming a DBIA mentor is easy. Learn about the mentor’s roles and expectations and then complete a short application so we can start the process and find the perfect match for you.
Learn More Get StartedLooking for a Mentor?
A mentoring relationship can make all the difference in your career. Make that connection with a DBIA certified professional (DBIA®) or DBIA Fellow (FDBIA) to help inspire not just your projects, but your future.
Please complete your mentee application to get started.
Apply