PERSPECTIVE: Building Construction Forum’s Next Chapter
Date Posted: August 4, 2026
Posted In: Organizations, What we are thinking about,
by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum
For more than twelve years, Construction Forum has brought together the people who shape the St. Louis region’s built environment around a shared mission: creating inclusive, robust employment and economic growth.
We have connected business, labor, government, education, philanthropy and community organizations around ideas that can strengthen our region.
Along the way, we have developed journalism, public programs, apprenticeships and workforce initiatives. But we have never viewed any of those efforts as ends in themselves.
They are tools.
We use them to bring people together, build trust, spark collaboration and create opportunities that might not otherwise exist.
Now, Construction Forum is preparing for its next chapter.
We are seeking an entrepreneurial leader who will work alongside me and our leadership team during a planned transition of approximately one year before assuming leadership of the organization.
This is more than a succession plan. It is an opportunity for someone to help shape the future of one of the St. Louis region’s most respected collaborative organizations.
And let me be clear: I’m not going anywhere.
I intend to remain actively involved—intentionally and where I can contribute the most — while making room for new leadership and allowing Construction Forum to scale its mission and impact.
Deputy Executive Director/COO Diana Wilhold’s role will also evolve. She will focus her leadership on expanding our registered apprenticeship and workforce initiatives — work that has attracted significant new investment and offers tremendous potential for regional impact.
These changes are not about stepping away from the work. They are about building the leadership capacity and organizational structure Construction Forum needs to grow, while preserving the relationships, institutional knowledge and commitment that brought us this far.
Who Are We Looking For?
We are less interested in finding a particular résumé than in finding the right person.
We are looking for a builder—someone who sees opportunities where others see obstacles and enjoys creating something that does not yet exist.
Someone who connects people, ideas and organizations.
Someone who understands that successful organizations do not begin with funding. They begin with trust.
Some who can build relationships, create initiatives that matter, and produce results. We are a looking for a person who can attract the partners and resources needed to sustain the work that will follow.
This person must also put the mission before themselves. Success will be measured by the impact of the organization and the region — not by personal recognition.
The right leader will be equally comfortable meeting with a CEO, union leader, elected official, educator, contractor, philanthropist, neighborhood leader or student. People should leave those conversations believing they were heard, respected and valued.
Intellectual curiosity will be essential. Construction Forum’s work touches cities, infrastructure, workforce and economic development, education, public policy and the entire built environment. Our next leader should ask good questions, enjoy learning and see connections that others may miss.
Clear communication matters, too. Whether writing, speaking, listening or facilitating a difficult conversation, this person must be able to help people understand one another and move toward common purpose.
The Opportunity
The Executive Director will be Construction Forum’s chief relationship builder, strategist and champion of its mission.
The role is not to personally manage every program or wear every hat.
The Executive Director will lead a collaborative team responsible for operations, communications and public affairs, and engagement and fundraising. That will allow the organization’s leader to concentrate on relationships, vision, organizational leadership, resource development and emerging opportunities that advance our mission.
The Executive Director will:
- Champion Construction Forum’s mission and values.
- Build trusted relationships throughout the St. Louis region.
- Convene diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
- Identify emerging opportunities that strengthen the built environment and regional economy.
- Create partnerships that lead to meaningful action.
- Attract sponsorships, grants and philanthropic investment.
- Serve as the public face of Construction Forum.
- Lead and develop a collaborative leadership team.
- Partner with the Board to establish priorities and measure success.
Outstanding candidates could come from nonprofit leadership, business, construction, workforce development, education, government, philanthropy, media or civic leadership.
Experience in the built environment would be valuable, but it is not essential.
What matters most is a demonstrated ability to build trust, inspire confidence, communicate effectively and turn ideas into action.
A Thoughtful Transition
The transition will be deliberate. It will involve more than transferring responsibilities.
It will include sharing relationships, institutional knowledge and the lessons learned while building Construction Forum. The successful candidate will work alongside me, Diana and the rest of our leadership team during the approximately one-year transition.
The new leader will not be asked simply to maintain what already exists. We want someone who will bring fresh ideas, identify new opportunities and help Construction Forum increase its impact.
I am proud of what we have built together. I am even more excited by what Construction Forum can become.
If the opportunity to help build that future excites you — or if someone you know comes to mind — we would like to begin a conversation.