From Concrete to Culture: Andy Trewick’s Leadership Evolution

Andy Trewick didn’t set out to become a culture-shaping CEO. Starting his career as a civil engineer in the UK, his early success was built—literally—on roads, rails, and large-scale infrastructure. But over four decades, Andy’s leadership journey took a transformative turn. Today, as President and CEO of Graham Construction, he champions a philosophy that values people over process and relationships over rigid hierarchies.

In this episode of The Heart of Leadership, Andy shares how he evolved from an expert with answers to a facilitator of others' greatness. With a blend of humility, humor, and deep operational insight, he recounts the steps he and his executive team took to reshape Graham from the inside out; proving that even in construction, culture is your most valuable blueprint.

Top 5 Leadership Lessons from Andy Trewick

1. You Don’t Need All the Answers—Just the Right Questions Andy learned that great leaders don't need to know everything. Instead, they empower their teams by creating a safe space for ideas to emerge and grow.
2. Facilitate, Don’t Dictate His leadership mantra “herder of cats” reflects his belief in guiding teams to make decisions collaboratively, stepping in only when pivotal direction is required.
3. Culture Fuels Strategy A failed strategic initiative taught him that without a strong, aligned culture, even the best-laid plans falter. Culture isn’t an accessory; it’s an accelerator.
4. Invest in Leadership Development at Every Level Graham’s leadership transformation began with a tailored leadership program. When directors asked the executive team to participate too, Andy listened—signaling shared accountability from the top down.
5. Be a Builder of People, Not Just Projects Now more fulfilled by seeing former colleagues rise into leadership than by completed buildings, Andy believes that lasting impact comes from developing others.

Episode 8: Heart Of Leadership Podcast – Sandra Efu

In this episode of The Heart of Leadership, Dr. Sandra Efu, President and CEO of Keyano College, shares powerful insights on what it means to lead with presence, empathy, and purpose. Drawing on her global experience in education and leadership, she discusses how people-centered leadership fosters trust, growth, and resilience—especially during times of crisis. From shifting away from ego-driven leadership to embracing coaching, Sandra offers practical lessons on empowering teams, cultivating psychological safety, and leading with heart. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this conversation will leave you reflecting on the legacy you want to build.

Dr. Sandra Efu, President and CEO of Keyano College

Sandra is a seasoned Project Management Professional (PMP) with a Ph.D. in Higher Education: Research, Evaluation, and Enhancement. She brings a wealth of experience working across Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean, where she has coordinated projects with international financial institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank and led global mobility initiatives for faculty, staff, and students.

With a strong academic foundation and a passion for education as a catalyst for global economic development, Sandra is deeply committed to fostering people-centered leadership. In an era where the human element in organizations is increasingly overlooked—particularly in North America—Sandra advocates for leadership that prioritizes the holistic development, well-being, and empowerment of individuals. She believes that truly impactful leadership must emphasize inclusivity, support talent development, and actively engage with the diverse perspectives and needs of today’s workforce.

Hope and Leadership – Becoming a Dealer in Hope

In this episode of The Heart of Leadership, Mardere Berkel sits down with Dr. Lenora LeMay, an expert in the narrative conception of hope, to explore the role of hope in leadership. Drawing from her experience as an educator and researcher, Dr. LeMay emphasizes that hope is not just an abstract concept but an embodied process that helps people navigate challenges and move forward. Leaders, she argues, must be intentional in fostering hope within their teams, especially in times of uncertainty.

The discussion highlights that hope is different from optimism—it’s not the belief that everything will work out perfectly, but rather the conviction that, despite obstacles, meaning and progress are possible. Leaders must recognize the power of hope in shaping team morale and engagement, ensuring they are "dealers in hope" rather than "hope suckers." Through small actions, thoughtful reflection, and a focus on relationships, leaders can create an environment where hope thrives.

Key Leadership Insights from this Episode:

1. Hope is an Action, Not Just a Feeling – Leaders must actively create conditions for hope by acknowledging challenges while reinforcing belief in the future.
2. Hope and Fear Cannot Coexist – Fear paralyzes, while hope propels people forward. Leaders should address fears while fostering a shared vision of possibility.
3. Small Actions Build Hope – Instead of getting overwhelmed, leaders should focus on one small, meaningful action at a time to sustain momentum and encourage resilience.

Tune in to learn how you can cultivate hope in your leadership journey!

Our Guest:

Lenora Lemay holds an educational PhD that focuses on a narrative conception of hope, which she learned about in her daily interactions at an internationally recognized applied research centre. Lenora’s expertise, first as a classroom teacher and then, as a hope-focused practitioner and researcher, across disciplines, helps us to attend to meaningful and relevant ways of relating, acting, feeling, and thinking from a place of hope in our personal and professional lives.