#83 Dena Prastos: Shaping the Future of Waterfront Architecture

Episode #83 of the 2B Bolder Podcast features a bold leader, a waterfront architect, civil engineer, futurist, climate adaptation expert, and entrepreneur.  As Founder and CEO of Indigo River, Dena Prastos, AIA is the first "waterfront architect," trailblazing a new category in the industry. Indigo River is a women-owned business enterprise (WBE) design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency, and climate adaptation.    Dena is an experienced leader of innovative projects worldwide, including heavy civil construction, marine engineering, and waterfront architecture. These experiences helped shape her vision, construction, engineering, and architecture competency.  Dena completed her Bachelor of Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she subsequently completed a graduate degree in Civil Engineering. After gaining valuable experience in the industry, she was admitted to Harvard Business School’s “Leading Professional Service Firms” Executive Education program.   Dena serves on the Planning Board in historic Grand View-on-Hudson, New York. She enjoys volunteering with the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s Future’s Collaborative, where she drives and informs strategic conversations across the nation regarding the future of our industry and profession.  Having experienced the lack of female role models as she built her career, she embraces any chance to mentor or team up with someone early in their career and is happy to help. She believes there are plenty of technical challenges to focus on, and none of them should be navigating male-dominated environments. Dena also believes developing representation in the fields that shape the built environment is a societal duty because the creation mirrors the creator.  Tune in to hear Dena share what qualities she looks for when hiring, how she defines success, and how she stays focused on being the best leader she can be.   You'll hear the fun projects she and her team have worked on and what unique skills her team brings.  It is inspiring to hear about her background growing up and how it helped her become the woman she is today.   Don't miss this stimulating conversation with a beautiful, intelligent woman dominating the waterfront architect world.Resources:Visit the Indigo River WebsiteBook Recommendation The Ministry for the Future: A NovelSee the full library of Women in Business and Tech Career podcasts Dena Prastos' Career Tips for Women TranscriptThe 2B Bolder Podcast provides first-hand access to some amazing women. Guests will include women from leading enterprise companies to startups, women execs, coders, account execs, engineers, doctors, and innovators.