YAECPI 2026

The Need. Early in your AEC career, You don’t need another degree but you do need serious exposure, training and development --- and that’s exactly what YAECPI delivers.

Guest Instructors. 10+ guest instructors - architects, contractors, engineers, owner/clients - assist in teaching and leading small breakout group discussions. You connect and engage with them to explore the issues and ideas most important to you.

Hybrid Learning Mixes Online and In-Person Sessions. Between work time, personal life, and travel time, we’ve created unique hybrid sessions. Two sessions are In-Person; two other sessions are Hosted Online – Online for the learning content, followed by Hosted discussion and networking.

Group Projects. Introduced YAECPI participants work on Group Projects in small, mixed- profession groups. They have exceeded our expectations for delivering valuable hands-on learning and in-depth relationship building. You can view and read the YAECPI 2023 Group Projects – videos, blog posts, and podcast at Building Leader.

President of Gathering Pace, Inc., William Ronco, Ph.D., founded YAECPI 20+ years ago. He directs the program, partnering with AGC Massachusetts and the Boston Society of Architects. Dr. Ronco initiated the program 20+ year ago and has built them into a cornerstone of Massachusetts AEC organizations’ learning professional development experiences.

Dr. Ronco consults on strategy, leadership and partnering with design, engineering, owner / client, construction, biotech and science organizations. He is author of The Partnering
Solution (Career Press) and Partnering Manual for Design and Construction (McGraw-Hill). A former professor at Northeastern University, Dr. Ronco earned his B.A. at Rutgers University, his Ed.M. at Harvard and his Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Colin Milberg and Toni Loiacano assist with YAECPI leadership. A founding partner of ASKM Consulting, Colin is a construction industry expert in lean methods, facilitation and change management. He teaches in the AGC’s programs on Lean Construction. Formerly a senior vice president at Cannon Design, Toni has extensive experience and interest in mentoring, presenting new design concepts to client associations.

For Participants

Training and development are intangible but they produce very tangible results. Key outcomes for YAECPI participants include:

• Improved ability to add value in their company
• Increased skills taking on new, challenging tasks
• Increased performance and comfort in areas that matter most for the company’s performance
• Improved ability to develop meaningful relationships with clients
• Increased understanding and ability to connect with other disciplines in their own company
• Increased performance and comfort in marketing, business development and networking
• Development of essential skills, e.g. communicating, writing, presenting, managing projects, managing finances, marketing
• Acquisition of perspective resulting from interaction with peers from other companies, instructors, and interaction with contractors in the BSA Young Designers program
• Increased focus, job satisfaction and motivation resulting from all the above

For Sponsoring Companies

Beyond individual participants, sponsoring companies also benefit from participating YAECPI:

• Improved retention and development of key talent
• Increased marketing and business development activity and success
• Improved morale and company spirit resulting from clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to professional development for young designers
• Acquisition of current ideas and fresh perspective on best practices being developed by other companies and industry experts participating in the program
• Improved employee alignment with the company’s strategic plan
• Raised expectations for job performance and productivity from program participants
• Use of the program to strengthen the company’s efforts at mentoring and coaching
• Recognition of the company as an Excellent Employer

YAECPI 2026 Features:

• A mix of online, in-person and Hosted Online sessions
• Industry leader guest instructors
• Interactive small groups and hands-on learning
• Online Course “Smarter AEC Negotiating," a $450 value
• Participant mix of architects, engineers and contractors
• Group Projects where you to build working relationships, explore your interests and apply concepts
• Convenient scheduling 12 sessions January – June 2026

"The YAECPI program was a breath of fresh air. As an architect, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know young professionals from con-sulting and contracting backgrounds. Professional relationships can be contentious within AEC, so the chance to network with and learn alongside non-architects in an inviting space was invaluable. I learned that across AEC, personalities might differ, but our skillsets are highly similar. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to do quality work, be valued for their contributions, and have some fun along the way."

Calvin Boyd, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C | Associate, Payette

"The YAECPI program brought to me the understanding of the impact that ou new generation has on developing this world. Our thoughts and ideas matter. I learned that there are no small ideas.

As a Construction project manager, I enjoyed the presentation skills and networking portion of it as well. The atmosphere was more welcoming and easier to be in touch with people from design & engineering outside of real work. Also, we were almost all from the same generation and we shared many of the same feelings and apprehensions .

The group project was another endorsement of how AEC people work together and how we all share the same goals on a given project even our roles may be different. After all, we are a team from the same family and our common aim is to be successful and build successful projects.

Lillia Sakher | Project Manager, Walsh Brothers

"Participating in the Young ACE Professionals Institute (YACEPI) has helped me understand my greater role in the next generation of professionals within our industry. The program taught me ways to make my voice heard and that we should not feel overwhelmed and hide in the shadows of the experienced.

It is essential that the next generation participates and make themselves heard. No matter where we are in this field, in order to be successful with a client, a specific project or in any collaboration, working together and problem solving are crucial activities and skills.

I enjoyed my time with all the instructors and other young professionals that I had met through the program and hope to collaborate with them in the future."

Thorsten Sterbenz | Project Coordinator, HGA

"Being able to participate in YACEPI was an exciting and unique opportunity to hear from industry professionals with varying backgrounds and perspectives. In addition, we met and worked with colleagues who are facing the everyday challenges of the AEC field. The program provided me new relationships and contacts that are already paying dividends in expanding my social and professional networks. I’m looking forward to potentially collaborating on future Boston projects and being a driving force in shaping the Boston AEC industry.

Joe​ Nault | Project Manager, Consigli

"Even though Perkins&Will has in-house training for architects and designers seeking to growth their leadership and management skills, our emerging and mid-level talent benefits greatly from the YAECPI program. An important component the program offers is understanding the arc of project delivery from different perspectives and circumstances, which allows participants to appreciate it takes many minds and experts to create the built environment.A critical part of this hybrid program is the ability for the cohort to build a network that is Boston / New England region focused because having a network of peers is fundamental to career growth and advancement."

Yanel DeAngel Sala, Managing Director, Perkins&Will

“I’ve been a raving fan of AGC MA’s Young Architects, Engineers and Contractors Professional Institute and Bill Ronco for more than 15 years. We have always encouraged and enabled members of our staff to participate in this program. This is an excellent opportunity for learning and broadening career potential by introducing our emerging leaders to the fundamental skills needed to succeed. The format facilitates developing professional relationships that’ll last a lifetime and inspires participants to be actively involved in our industry throughout their career.

Bill Aalerud | Vice President, Columbia and President, AGC MA

The YAECPI program has been a tremendous benefit to our individual team members and the overall team performance. Participants have gained knowledge and insight that has accelerated their professional and personal growth. We are now enrolling our 4th team member. I highly recommend this program for all design firms.

Andrew Witkin, FASLA | President / CEO Witkin Hults + Partners, Landscape Architecture & Planning

"Many individuals from TG Gallagher have attended the YAECPI program and benefitted greatly not only from the variety of skills they obtained but, more importantly, from networking with other young AEC professionals. It’s a reflection of our commitment to continuous improvement with our employees and clients."

Shawn Gallagher | Chief Operating Office, TG Gallagher

“Elaine’s support for our employees through in this program is not only a smart investment in our business, it’s a reflection of our commitment to our clients through continuous improvement.

William Morash | Executive Vice President, Elaine Construction