In this episode of The Comms Exchange, developer and designer Mimi Spiehler shares how she (and her brother David Fuselier) transformed a 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival church in Uptown New Orleans into The Josephine, an immersive cultural venue that blends historic preservation, digital projection mapping, and community-centered programming. Mimi opens up about what it means to be a woman leading large-scale projects in construction and real estate development, navigating gender dynamics on the job site, and building workplace confidence in male-dominated spaces. She and hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini explore how women’s perspectives, attention to detail, and communication styles shape better outcomes—for projects, teams, and communities.
If you care about women’s roles in the construction industry, empowerment, professional growth, and how design, storytelling, and courage can revive sacred spaces, this conversation is for you.
Key Takeaways
You can learn more about The Josephine, visit online https://www.thejosephinenola.com/
In this episode of The Comms Exchange, architect Steve Rome, partner at VergesRome Architects, joins host Rachel Ledet and co-host Christianne Brunini to explore what resilient design really looks like on the Gulf Coast. Steve walks through the story of Les Maisons de Bayou Lafourche, a $9.5M affordable housing community in Lockport, Louisiana, designed with Fortified Gold, Enterprise Green, and Energy Star certifications—and then tested in real time by Hurricane Ida.
While surrounding neighborhoods suffered catastrophic damage, Les Maisons de Bayou Lafourche experienced minimal impact, proving how intentional architecture, rigorous quality control, and sustainable building practices can transform hurricane preparedness and community resilience.
The conversation covers how empathy, equity, and foresight inform good design, why certifications should be more than a box-checking exercise, and how travel, reading, and continuous learning keep architects sharp. If you care about architecture, resilient communities, affordable housing, or climate-smart design, this episode offers a powerful case study and practical insight.
Key Takeaways
Steve Rome’s Reading List:
No Compromise: The Work of Florence Knoll
If Walls Could Speak: My Life in Architecture
The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge)
You Say to Brick: The Life of Louis Kahn
You can learn more about VergesRome Architects at www.vergesrome.com
Affordable housing, housing policy, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) take center stage in this episode of The Comms Exchange. Hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Emily Cadik, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, to unpack why LIHTC has never been stronger politically and what that means for developers, advocates, and communities.
Emily shares her journey from HUD to leading a national coalition, explains how LIHTC became a rare bipartisan success story in Washington, and breaks down what really resonates with lawmakers—from data and economic impact to on-the-ground site visits and resident stories. She also talks candidly about navigating a male-dominated space, the importance of mentorship, and why diversity in advocacy makes the movement more effective.
Whether you’re a developer, housing authority, policy advocate, or communicator, this conversation offers practical insight into how to pair strong policy with strong storytelling and why local voices and marketing budgets should be part of every affordable housing pro forma.
Key Takeaways (for show notes / description)
You can learn more at https://www.taxcreditcoalition.org/
In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Brandi Bailey, VP of Strategic Development at Snyder Construction Group. Brandi shares how she moved from commercial interior design into construction business development and what she has learned about communication, leadership, and growth along the way.
Together, they dig into how creativity shows up in business development, why authenticity and company values matter so much in construction, and how Brandi helps Snyder strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and communities. Brandi also talks about her focus on affordable housing, her time working in China, and how risk, empathy, and service shape the way she shows up as a leader.
If you are in construction, real estate, community development, or simply curious about how strategic partnerships and communication can fuel growth, this conversation is full of practical insight and heart.
Key Takeaways
In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Melissa Warren, Senior Advisor and Market Leader with Stirling Properties, long-time industry advocate, and the driving force behind the NAIOP Gulf Coast Chapter’s rapid rise.
Melissa shares her journey from political consulting to commercial real estate, the mentors who shaped her path, and the pivotal moment she realized advocacy and collaboration were essential to strengthening the Gulf Coast’s economic future. Together, they break down how NAIOP Gulf Coast grew to 100 members in its first year, why policy work matters at the municipal, state, and federal levels, and how diverse leadership teams drive better outcomes for both industry and community.
Listeners will hear how commercial real estate connects to broader economic development — from infrastructure and permitting to port expansion, energy policy, and insurance challenges — and how NAIOP is convening the right partners to tackle these issues with a regional mindset.
In this conversation, we explore:
This episode reveals how leadership rooted in passion, persistence, and partnership can transform an industry — and a region.
In this episode of The Comms Exchange, Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and State Coordinator for Infrastructure and Economic Development for Super Bowl LIX. Together, they unpack how a single sporting event became a forcing function for cleaner streets, brighter public spaces, new public art, and a renewed sense of pride in New Orleans.
Michael shares how more than 500 projects across multiple agencies came together on a tight timeline, why expectation setting with local businesses matters, and how the “real win” of the Super Bowl lives in global perception, repeat visitors, and future conventions rather than one weekend of sales.
You will hear how “small moves” like graffiti removal, murals, lighting, and sidewalk repairs can shift a city’s image, create shared accountability, and raise expectations for what is possible long after the cameras leave.
In this conversation, we explore:
You can learn more about GNO, Inc at https://gnoinc.org/.
Summary
Chief Growth Officer Brian Moldaner takes us inside T. Baker Smith’s culture-first playbook, where EOS becomes “the TBS Way” and heart, knowledge, and grit guide how teams work and grow. We unpack how a shared language and an internal communications hub align eight offices, why immersive office environments and authentic project photography deepen pride and connection, and how culture fuels recruiting, retention, and business development. Brian shares practical lessons from building a field-ready culture book, translating it into dashboards, video updates, and on-site visuals, and leading growth through clear frameworks people can use every day. The result is a firm focused on progress over perfection, with strategy and storytelling working together to build lasting impact.
Key Takeaways:
You can find T. Baker Smith online at www.tbsmith.com
In this episode, land use expert Zach Smith breaks down how permitting and zoning really work in New Orleans and why policy and politics so often slow good projects. Drawing on years inside City Hall, he explains the ripple effect of delays on small businesses and neighborhood investment, why “time kills deals,” and how clearer rules and faster processes would lower costs and unlock growth. We dig into ADUs as a practical step to expand housing supply, the need for early zoning checks before leases and build-outs, and how collaboration among homeowners, developers, advocates, and policymakers can turn community engagement into real change. The takeaway is simple: simplify the rules, shorten the timeline, and let small businesses and housing solutions thrive.
Key Takeaways
You can find Zach Smith at www.zachsmithconsulting.cm
In this episode, Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini host a discussion with Jillian Carruth and Emily Pourciau about the importance of personal branding, color analysis, and photography in presenting oneself authentically and confidently. They explore how colors and styles can enhance personal branding, the significance of first impressions, and the role of confidence in front of the camera. The conversation also touches on the psychology of colors in branding, the balance between authenticity and aspiration, and practical tips for looking and feeling your best in professional settings.
Key Takeaways:
Find can find our guests at www.jmpnola.com and https://www.houseofcolour.com/stylists/emily-pourciau-east-baton-rouge-louisiana
In this conversation, Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini discuss the transformative impact of AI in the real estate sector with Jake Heller, founder of AI for CRE Collective. They explore the origins of the collective, its mission to create a community around AI and technology in real estate, and the various use cases of AI in underwriting, lead generation, and property management. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration, sharing knowledge, and the future of AI in real estate education.
Key Takeaways:
In this conversation, Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini engage with Kelly Longwell, an attorney and leader in affordable housing, discussing her journey in building the Longwell Riess law firm. They explore themes of thought leadership, community engagement, and the importance of networking in the legal field. Kelly shares insights on establishing a brand, the significance of affordable housing, and the strategies for effective community involvement. The discussion also highlights the value of personal connections and the future growth plans for Longwell Reese.
Key Takeaways:
In this episode of the Comms Exchange, Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini engage with Oji Alexander, CEO of People's Housing Plus, to discuss the organization's mission in affordable housing and community development in New Orleans. They delve into the significance of the Louisiana Firehouse Project, which aims to restore a historic firehouse into a mixed-use space that includes affordable housing and an early childhood education center. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in community projects, the impact of the recently passed housing trust fund, and reflections on the ongoing challenges and opportunities in New Orleans post-Katrina.
Key Takeaways:
Episode 1: Strategy as the Starting Point
In our very first episode of The Comms Exchange, Rachel and Christianne talk about why strategy is the foundation of every successful project. We share how years of client work and the creation of culture books for organizations led us to build our own EOS-inspired framework. You will hear the story of our team retreat where we defined our core values, how those values now guide our daily decisions, and why they are central to the way we market, communicate, and grow. We also introduce our Strategic Intensive program, where core values and identity form Module 1. Join us for a conversation about how strategy shapes success.