What if the future of real estate success wasn’t about the latest flashy technology, but about owning your data and building an authentic culture from day one?

In this episode of Foundation Issues, host Dhara Patel sits down with Rivers Pearce, VP of Marketing at ENRG Realty, to explore how data ownership, human creativity, and gut instincts are reshaping the industry’s foundation.

Rivers unpacks why AI alone won’t differentiate your business unless it’s trained on your unique, proprietary data. He explains how consolidating scattered information into a single source of truth can unify multiple real estate divisions, from brokerage to mortgage and beyond—and fuel smarter decisions.

They dive into the rising importance of storytelling in marketing, the irreplaceable role of genuine culture embedded from the start, and the power of trust and honesty in client relationships. Drawing from personal experiences, Rivers shares the vital balance between trusting your gut and rigorously inspecting opportunities in a complex startup world.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why owning and centralizing your data is the real competitive edge
• How AI’s true value lies in being customized with your proprietary information
• The essential role of storytelling and human creativity in marketing
• Why culture must be built organically, not bolted on later
• Insights on trust, honesty, and listening to your gut in business decisions

Connect with Rivers Pearce:

• 🌐 linkedin.com/in/riverspearce
• 🌐 linktr.ee/riverspearce

Connect with Dhara Patel:

• linkedin.com/in/dharapatel001
• outerrealmvr.com

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow construction professional, marketer, or leader, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if multifamily marketing wasn’t just about selling apartments—but about creating meaningful connections and thriving communities?

In this episode of Foundation Issues, host Dhara Patel sits down with Kayla Latson, Senior Strategic Marketing Manager at Rangewater and a true Multifamily Marketing Matchmaker. Together, they explore how innovative marketing strategies are transforming multifamily living beyond just leasing.

With her deep expertise in strategic marketing, Kayla shares how data-driven insights, authentic storytelling, and community-focused approaches are reshaping how residents engage with their homes and neighborhoods.

She breaks down why personalization is key in multifamily marketing, how technology can enhance resident experience, and what leadership means in an industry focused on people, place, and purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

• How multifamily marketing is evolving from transactional to relational
• The power of data and storytelling in building resident loyalty
• Strategies for creating authentic, community-driven brand experiences
• Leadership insights for navigating complex marketing landscapes
• The intersection of marketing, real estate, and resident wellbeing

Connect with Kayla Latson:

• 🌐 rangewater.com
• 🔗 linkedin.com/in/kayla-latson-5aa19949

Connect with Dhara Patel:

• linkedin.com/in/dharapatel001
• outerrealmvr.com

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow construction professional, marketer, or leader, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if the future of sports design wasn’t about bigger stadiums—but about smarter, more connected communities?

In this episode of Foundation Issues, host Dhara Patel sits down with Jon Niemuth, FAIA, Principal and Director of Sports at Gensler, to explore how the world’s largest design firm is redefining what it means to build for performance, culture, and connection.

With three decades of experience shaping everything from the Seattle Seahawks’ home field to the Sacramento Kings’ LEED Platinum-certified arena, Jon shares how technology, sustainability, and storytelling are transforming sports architecture into a living ecosystem.

He unpacks how fan experiences are becoming frictionless through data and design, what “authenticity” really means in community-building, and why leadership in high-pressure projects starts with getting out of your team’s way.

What You’ll Learn:

• How stadiums are evolving from venues into lifestyle ecosystems
• The role of data and technology in modern sports design
• Why authenticity is the new metric for community impact
• Leadership lessons from high-stakes, multimillion-dollar projects
• How design, business, and performance intersect to shape culture

Connect with Jon Niemuth:

• 🔗 linkedin.com/in/jonniemuth
• 🌐 gensler.com
• 📸 Instagram & Twitter: @JonNiemuth

Connect with Dhara Patel:

• 🔗 linkedin.com/in/dharapatel001
• 🌐 outerrealmvr.com

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow construction professional, marketer, or leader, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!