Welcome to Benesch University’s Grow 1 Program!
Grow 1 is designed to provide the knowledge, tools and hands-on experience you’ll need for both current and future roles. Over the course of this program, you’ll participate in live trainings, online courses, team projects and more. The goal is for you to grow professionally, expand your network and graduate the program with the ability and intention to lead at Benesch.
Ready to get started? The following pages include an overview of the Grow 1 program, faculty and your cohort.
SCHEDULE at a Glance
FROM KICK-OFF TO GRADUATION
Content Sessions and Self Study
Kick Off
Meeting – Build Excitement!
Sept. 3, 2025
Action Learning Team Project
Peer Learning Groups and Other Activities
Graduation –Let’s Celebrate!
March 2026
Grow 1 is a 6-month program that kicks off in September each year and runs for three non-consecutive months.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Mentoring
Participants will be paired with a Benesch mentor.
Program Coaches
Casey Sledzinski, trainer and coach, Sandra Pond, CHRO & Julie Melidis, Sr. Director of L&D will meet individually with participants to check in.
Application in Daily Work
After each content module, participants will be given tasks to apply in the workplace and report out results in monthly team workshops.
MODULES
MODULE 1 LEADERSHIP
Facilitator: Julie Melidis
Content Focus: How can you become an effective and inspiring leader? It all begins with defining your values and vision and deepening your self-management skills. In this module, you’ll fine tune these elements of your management style and learn how to create the conditions for others to succeed—even when your team isn’t working in the same physical space.
MODULE 2
LEADING DIVERSE TEAMS
Facilitator: Sandra Pond
Content Focus: Being a leader puts you in a powerful position to create an environment where people can thrive, knowing that they truly belong and the differences they bring are welcome. Discover why diversity is an essential component of a successful team—and what you can do to foster inclusion and belonging in your organization.
Application Training: Psychological Safety: Creating an environment where people feel comfortable being genuine and honest in your teams.
MODULE 3 TIME MANAGEMENT
Facilitator: Casey Sledzinski
Content Focus: Time management isn’t about cramming more into your schedule; it’s about making smarter, more purposeful choices with the hours you have. This module will help you get more of what you want from your time.
MODULE 4
PRESENTATION SKILLS & ACTION LEARNING PROJECT
Facilitator: Julie Melidis
Workshop: Effective presentations pay big dividends—for your team and your career—by inspiring, informing, or persuading your audience. By knowing how to craft a clear and compelling message, design engaging slides, and deliver with confidence, you’ll give a topnotch presentation time and again. This workshop will help you prepare for your Grow 1 Action Learning Project.
MODULE 5
LEADING WITH GENERATIVE AI WORKSHOP
FACILITATOR: Julie Melidis & Dave Kikalos
Content Focus: Learn how to use AI to drive innovation and enhance efficiency while confidently contributing to your teams.
MEET THE FACULTY
Julie Melidis, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Sr. Director of Learning & Development
Casey Sledzinski
Director of Human Resources
Sandra Pond, SPHR
Chief Human Resources Officer
Dr. Daisy Lovelace, Ph.D.
Faculty Lead and Trainer, Benesch University
Executive Director, Management
Communication Center, Duke University
Dave Kikalos
Learning & Development Specialist
Chad Bay
Marketing Communications Manager
Alissa Prochaska
Senior Graphic Designer
CLASS OF 2026
PEER LEARNING GROUP 1
Armando Diaz Construction Manager
Naperville, IL
11 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2022
Luke Schweinsberg Public Project Manager
Remote
8 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2023
Amy Stephenson MIS Manager
Remote
13 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2025
Nova Dauer, PE Project Engineer
Chicago, IL
7 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2021
Alejandro Barahona, PE Project Engineer
Bellevue, NE
11 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2014
Parth Desai Sr HRIS Analyst
Chicago, IL
12 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2022
Brandon Kasper Sr Public Project Manager
Houston, TX
18 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2018
Nikki Palen, PE Project Engineer
Raleigh, NC
8 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2024
PEER LEARNING GROUP 2
Olivia Sievers Talent Acquisition Specialist
Chicago, IL
5 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2022
Scott Rupe Sr Scientist
Kansas City, KS
10 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2023
Serena Doescher Marketing Communication Specialist
Chicago, IL
9 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2021
Derek Schmidt, PE Project Engineer
Pottsville, PA
10 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2015
Daniel Rikli, PE Project Engineer
Nashville, TN
6 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2019
Will Peters Assistant Marketing Manager
Raleigh, NC
9 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2022
Mindy Totten Sr Public Project Manager
Remote
14 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2021
Kelbi Davis Project Accounting Coordinator
Remote
9 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2024
CLASS OF 2026
PEER LEARNING
GROUP 3
Trevor Vogler, PE Project Engineer
Chicago, IL
8 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2021
Stacy Knapp Public Project Representative
Cincinnati, OH
25 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2019
Mohammad (MJ) Aamir Sr Accounting Systems Analyst
Remote
5 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2023
Jason Lewis, PE Project Engineer
Pittsburgh, PA
13 Years of Experience
Joined Benesch in 2015
Joe Pung, PLA, LEED AP Project Manager
Raleigh, NC
19 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2023
Seth Stevens Public Project Manager
Remote
9 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2024
Zach Rowland Sr Designer
Franklin, TN
11 Years of Experience Joined Benesch in 2020
Learning Concept
Program Kick Off
Meet Your Cohort
Program Schedule
Psychological Safety
Work Assignment
Leadership
HMM Independent Work Assignment
Leading Diverse Teams
HMM Independent Work Assignment
Time Management
HMM Independent Work Assignment
Presentation Skills
Action Learning Project 20252026
HMM Independent Work Assignment
Leading with Generative AI Workshop
HMM Independent Work Assignment
Internal Facilitation Session (All times CT)
September 3, 2025
10:00-11:00 am CT
Learning Group (All times CT)
September 22, 2025
9:00-10:30 am CT
Psychological Safety Dr. Daisy Lovelace
October 6, 2025
9:00-10:30 am CT
Julie Melidis October 15, 2025 9:00-10:00 am CT
November 10, 2025
9:00-10:30 am CT
Sandra Pond November 19, 2025
December 8, 2025
9:00-10:30 am CT
Casey Sledzinski December 17, 2025 9:00-10:00 am CT Peer Cohort Discussion
January 12, 2025
9:00-10:30 am CT
Chad Bay & Alissa Prochaska
January 26, 2026
9:00-10:00 am CT
Julie Melidis & Dave Kikalos
January 7, 2026
9:00-10:00 am CT
Action Learning Project Intro
Project Sponsors
January-February 2026 Plan for 5.0 Hours Working with Your Project Team
February 18 - February 28, 2026 Teams Present (date/time: TBD)