At Stok, we’re proud to sponsor LeaderFlow, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating leadership opportunities primarily for professionals of color in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Through its unique, immersive curriculum, LeaderFlow opens pathways for talented mid-career professionals to build confidence, develop key management skills, and strengthen connections within the industry.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2022, the 7-month development program has since grown to host annual cohorts across five cities: Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle, Chicago, and New York. Thanks to sponsor support, LeaderFlow operates at no cost to participants, making it even more accessible and impactful. Cohort members have described the program as “life-changing” and “the most impactful experience of my career”—a testament to its importance for those transitioning into leadership roles.
Aligned with our commitment to change the face of the industry, Stok has been actively involved in the LeaderFlow program as a sponsor since 2022, with two of our team members, CFO Burke Pemberton and Sustainability Project Manager Shafraaz Kaba, serving as workshop facilitators—or “Flowcilitators”—in cities across the U.S. They recently shared insights from their sessions and LeaderFlow’s impact on their own professional growth.
WHAT WERE YOUR SESSIONS ABOUT?
Burke Pemberton:
“As a Flowcilitator in Los Angeles in 2022 and Houston in 2023, my sessions have focused on the financial aspects of managing a practice in the AEC industry, covering topics like AEC company structures, compensation models, and financial frameworks.”
Shafraaz Kaba:
“As a Flowcilitator in Seattle in 2024, mine centered on project visioning and building client relationships, drawing on principles from the book The Trusted Advisor.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN LEADERFLOW?
Burke: “Meeting people in the cohorts every time. They’re very grateful for the opportunity to gain financial expertise, and you can see how it shifts their perspective—they start to think like owners, gaining empathy for those responsible for financial decisions.”
Shafraaz: “I love being in a room filled with people brimming with energy and passion to shape their companies through leadership roles. I learned just as much from my time as a Flowcilitator as the participants. Seeing these inspired professionals and meeting phenomenal peers from the industry helped me reflect on my own career journey and get grounded.”
WHAT MAKES LEADERFLOW UNIQUE?
Shafraaz: “As minorities in the AEC industry, there are often murky pathways or unspoken hurdles when it comes to career progression or achieving leadership roles. LeaderFlow unlocks these challenges by teaching participants about the business side of leadership—a gap in traditional technical AEC education.”
Burke: “LeaderFlow addresses a systemic issue—many of these participants haven’t had access to leadership training or transparent business information. We have a responsibility as an industry to share this knowledge, and Stok is committed to making it available. It’s an honor to have a way to expose participants to this information to support their leadership journeys.”
LOOKING FORWARD: EXPANDING OUR SUPPORT FOR LEADERFLOW
Stok is committed to expanding our involvement with LeaderFlow in the years ahead. In addition to leading sessions as Flowcilitators, we aim to increase program participation across our team and foster even greater impact in the industry. Through this partnership, we’re reminded how deep, meaningful relationships and knowledge sharing can catalyze industry-wide change.
If you’re interested in joining, learn more about supporting or participating in LeaderFlow. We’re also happy to share our experiences with the program and its incredible leaders, Janiece Williams and John Gavan—reach out to start a conversation!
