Hanson Bridgett Hosts California Women in Design + Construction Event
Building the Future: AI’s Role in Design and Construction
Join us for an insightful panel discussion exploring the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the design and construction industry. Industry leaders, tech innovators, and AI experts will delve into cutting-edge applications of AI in design and construction.
Our panelists will discuss the latest AI-driven technologies, including robotics and data analytics, and how these innovations are streamlining workflows, enhancing efficiency, and reducing costs on construction projects.
This is an essential conversation for anyone interested in the future of design and construction, technology, and innovation. Whether you're an owner, a designer, a construction professional, or a tech enthusiast, don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the next frontier.
Moderator:
Heather Rizza - Senior Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
Heather Rizza is Senior Counsel in the Construction Practice Group at Hanson Bridgett LLP, where she specializing in complex and high-stakes construction litigation. With extensive experience representing a diverse range of clients — including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals — she provides strategic counsel on a variety of contentious issues, including claims related to delay and disruption, breach of contract, fraud, negligence, cost overruns, and deficiencies.
Panelists:
Lisa Huang - Senior Designer, Gensler
Lisa Huang is a registered architect with a proven track record of award-winning design and innovative teaching. With over 15 years of experience, including 9 years at the esteemed Office dA, Lisa has honed her skills in leading complex projects and fostering a collaborative design culture. As former Assistant Professor at the University of Florida School of Architecture, Lisa is passionate about inspiring the next generation of architects. Her dedication to education has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the 2016 ACSA New Faculty Teaching Award and the 2015 NCARB Award for Innovation in Integrating Education and Practice. Lisa holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard GSD and a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida. Her academic background, coupled with her extensive professional experience, positions her as a leading figure in the field of architecture.
Tessa Lau - CEO, Dusty Robotics
Dr. Tessa Lau is an experienced entrepreneur with expertise in AI, machine learning, and robotics. She is currently Founder/CEO at Dusty Robotics, whose mission is to create robot-powered tools for the modern construction workforce. Prior to Dusty, she was CTO/co-founder at Savioke, where she orchestrated the deployment of 75+ delivery robots into hotels and high-rises. Previously, Dr. Lau was a Research Scientist at Willow Garage, where she developed simple interfaces for personal robots. She also spent11 years at IBM Research working in business process automation and knowledge capture. More generally, Dr. Lau is interested in developing technology that gives people super-powers, and building businesses that bring that technology into people’s lives. Dr. Lau holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Washington.
Kitty Lichtenstein - Innovation Manager, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Kitty Lichtenstein is a member of the innovation department at McCarthy Building Companies, a leading general contractor. She specializes in implementing AI through change management and communications, ensuring that new technologies are seamlessly integrated into the company’s operations. Kitty has created effective methods for employees to submit ideas and achievements, facilitating their elevation and sharing across the organization. A passionate advocate for gender equality, she drives national consistency in McCarthy's Partnership for Women program as both a regional leader and national sponsor. Her work fosters an inclusive environment that empowers women within the industry.
Livia Lucas - AI Product Development, Integrations & ConTech, Trunk Tools
Livia Lucas is a Senior Product Manager at Trunk Tools, where she helps transform the construction industry through AI-powered solutions. With seven years of experience in the Construction Technology (ConTech) space and twelve years in tech, Livia possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the built environment. Before joining Trunk Tools, Livia held leadership roles in AI product development and enterprise data solutions, where she led teams in implementing advanced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) infrastructure. She also spent nearly four years delivering software solutions directly for a General Contractor, gaining firsthand experience in construction workflows and operations. In addition to her corporate career, Livia founded and successfully ran her own business for over four years in California, building a car booking platform from the ground up and achieving over $1.5 million in revenue within 1.5 years. Livia holds a Master’s degree in Software Engineering from International Technological University (San Jose, California)
Program: 3:30 p.m, – 5:00 p.m.
Networking Reception: 5:00 p.m, – 6:00 p.m.
