ABOUT

Charlene J. Gilman, CEO & Founder

MY TOP 10 QUALIFICATIONS TO EDUCATE AEC PROFESSIONALS ON AI

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1. Cross-Industry Implementation Expertise My 25+ year career spanning finance, technology, and AEC gives me a unique perspective on how AI transforms different sectors. I've seen technology adoption cycles from financial software to construction - I understand the patterns.

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2. Reality Capture & BIM Pioneer Experience My hands-on consulting work (2021-2025) with 3D laser scanning and BIM technologies positions me at the intersection of AI and construction technology. I'm not theoretical—I've implemented these systems on projects from 1,500 SF to 2M+ SF.

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3. Full Project Lifecycle Understanding As a CRE Owner's Representative and through Black Diamonds Evolve, I've managed the entire construction lifecycle. I understand where AI can impact preconstruction, execution, and closeout - not just one phase.

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4. Implementation & Training Methodology My Director-level roles in Implementation & Training demonstrate my proven ability to:

• Design training curriculum for complex systems

• Manage data migration projects

• Streamline adoption processes

• Develop coaching programs

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5. MBA + Certified Interior Designer Combination This rare blend gives me business strategy acumen combined with design thinking - critical for explaining how AI impacts both business operations and creative processes in AEC.

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6. Change Management & Process Optimization My track record of "designing new department structures" and "streamlining implementation processes" (few examples) shows I understand organizational change - essential for AI adoption.

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7. Multi-Stakeholder Communication Skills From hedge fund clients to construction teams to dental practices, I've translated complex concepts across diverse audiences. AI education requires this versatility.

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8. Entrepreneurial Resilience As a business owner and former author/podcaster, I've built platforms from scratch. I understand the entrepreneurial mindset many AEC professionals need when adopting AI.

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9. Advocacy for Responsible AI Development My positioning as someone "advocating for proactive engagement and responsible development" addresses the ethical concerns many AEC professionals have about AI displacement.

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10. Real-World Problem Solver I'm a practitioner, not just a theorist. From portfolio administration to managing construction projects, I solve actual problems - and that's what AEC professionals need: practical AI applications, not hype.

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MY UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION

What sets me apart is the convergence: I'm not just an AI enthusiast or a construction expert - I'm someone who has:

• Managed complex technology implementations in high-stakes environments

• Worked hands-on with the very technologies (reality capture/BIM) that AI is now enhancing

• Led teams through digital transformation

• Built businesses and understand ROI

• Created educational content (podcast, book, consulting)

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I can speak to the finance executive about AI's business case, the architect about design implications, the contractor about field applications, and the owner about risk management -because I've lived in all these worlds.

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My differentiator: I'm teaching AI not as a technologist teaching AEC, but as an AEC professional who has mastered technology adoption across multiple cycles. That's the credibility this industry needs right now.

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