In the infrastructure world, uncertainty is a growth killer. When projects stall, the entire industry feels the pain.
Today, we're diving into this issue with a special guest, Jill Jamieson. Jill, the CEO of Illuminati Infrastructure and an amateur endurance athlete, knows a thing or two about pushing through challenges. Join their conversation as they first dive into what inspired Jill’s recent 30-mile swim around Manhattan and her advice on taking those first steps to conquer physical feats.
They pivot and then delve into her thoughts on how the One Big Beautiful Bill is influencing what’s happening in the infrastructure world, the differences between funding and financing, how bringing in the private sector is impacting the affordability of infrastructure projects, and her insights on the greatest priority across the United States from an infrastructure perspective.
Tune in to hear her advice to the engineering community on adopting technological innovation, thoughts on other infrastructure challenges, her current reading list, and more!
Key Points From This Episode:
• Digging into our societal comfort crisis: what inspired her 30-mile swim.
• How the One Big Beautiful Bill headline is influencing what’s happening in the world of infrastructure.
• Where it gets really messy: two ways to pay for infrastructure projects.
• Bringing in the private sector: how the affordability of infrastructure projects is responding.
• Three ways to extract value from existing assets.
• The nation’s top infrastructure priority: getting projects done in a more timely or cost-effective manner.
Quotes:
“You find growth when you are outside of your comfort zone. I always say, ‘If I don’t stretch myself, I never know how far I can reach.’” — Jill Jamieson
“The one lesson I have learned as I get older is to let go of fear of failure. Give it a shot! What do you have to lose?” — Jill Jamieson
“Everybody wants cutting edge, they don’t want bleeding edge.” — Jill Jamieson
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
What is Leadership Blueprints?
Leadership Blueprints is a podcast dedicated to helping leaders align teams, navigate chaos, and accomplish the mission. Hosted by BJ Kraemer—West Point graduate, combat veteran, and President & CEO of MCFA—this show dives into the principles, stories, and strategies behind effective leadership.
With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.
Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.