When Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the world saw a nation stand up with extraordinary courage to defend its sovereignty and democracy. Among the many inspiring leaders of this moment, one who stands out to me is Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation.
At Clayco, building means more than construction. It’s about people, ideas, and innovation coming together to create places that matter. Concourse D at Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of those places.
Malik Johnson didn’t set out to become a pipe fitter. He was just trying to keep his family afloat. His mom was sick, they were facing hard times, and he needed steady work. He started with concrete labor. Then COVID hit, and the work dried up. He delivered food. He did odd jobs. And when the chance came to join an apprenticeship through Clayco’s Construction Career Development Initiative (CCDI), he took it.
When I started seeking out rising stars to be my fellow, my goal was simple", my goal was simple: create opportunities for young talent to sit at tables they wouldn’t normally be invited to. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn in return.