EP 51: Public Service as a Team Sport with Commissioner Ahmed Tigani of New York City Department of Buildings

Commissioner Ahmed Tigani of the New York City Department of Buildings oversees more than 1,600 public servants and 1.1 million buildings across New York City. He joins to unpack what it takes to lead an agency at the center of housing, safety and economic development citywide.

Ahmed traces his path into public service back to his mother and the community in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, that raised him, and explains why he treats every win as a team accomplishment rather than his own.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Why embracing mistakes, not avoiding them, defines long-term success in public service.

06:14 A single mom's rebuilding story that shaped a life devoted to public service.

14:21 How overseeing 1.1 million buildings and 1,600 staff comes down to one nexus concept.

24:26 The data behind a construction safety turnaround, and what drove injuries down by half.

33:37 The leadership hires reshaping how the agency operates from the inside out.

38:12 Why credit for a win should never land on just one desk.

41:02 The mental health conversation the construction industry is only now beginning to have.

Thanks for listening to the "Building Better Futures" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

New York City Department of Buildings, Commissioner Tigani's agency overseeing NYC's building code, safety and permitting

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the 24-hour crisis line Ahmed references for construction workers who need mental health support

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast