Episode 28: Leading with Purpose – Owner-Centered Strategy and Community Impact with Audra Blasdel

Episode Introduction:

Welcome to Luminate: Navigating the Unknown Through Creative Leadership, where we explore the journeys of visionary leaders making a difference. Today, our host, Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal-in-Charge at Schmidt Associates, is joined by Audra Blasdel, the Division Lead of Waypoint Strategies. With a diverse career spanning government, nonprofit, and educational organizations, Audra brings a unique perspective on leadership, community-driven project management, and servant leadership.

Episode Overview:

From her Indiana roots and early experiences in team-focused sports to her time managing complex projects for the Indiana Department of Transportation, Audra’s journey reveals the power of fostering connections and aligning with community needs. Audra shares insights on navigating client relationships, adapting strategies to meet project goals, and balancing career and family in an unpredictable world. This episode offers valuable takeaways on servant leadership and crafting spaces that truly serve the communities they’re built for. Join us as Audra recounts her story of developing Waypoint Strategies to guide clients in managing and maintaining their facilities with empathy and understanding.

Key Highlights:

• From Fairways to Project Management – Audra reflects on how her early experiences in competitive golf taught her about teamwork, adaptability, and the importance of contributing to a shared goal. These lessons became essential in her leadership journey.
• The Role of Family and Community – Growing up in Indiana, close to family, Audra experienced firsthand the power of strong community ties. She shares how this upbringing influenced her approach to leadership, grounding her in servant leadership principles.
• Navigating Complex Projects with Purpose – Audra highlights her experience managing the state’s Recovery Act transportation projects during the 2008 financial crisis. Her strategic, people-centered approach ensured the successful execution of hundreds of infrastructure projects, including a rail bridge that preserved local jobs.
• Waypoint Strategies – An Owner-Centric Approach – Audra describes the founding principles of Waypoint Strategies and how it differs from traditional owner’s rep services by focusing on understanding each client’s mission and values, charting a path that aligns with their unique needs and goals.
• Balancing Career, Family, and Well-being – Audra shares her perspective on “enoughness,” balancing professional and personal life through a flexible, day-to-day approach that prioritizes making intentional choices.

Conclusion:

Audra Blasdel’s journey underscores the importance of servant leadership, empathy, and resilience in strategic project management. Whether by adapting quickly to challenging conditions or building community-centered projects, Audra’s work exemplifies how thoughtful leadership can bring people together and drive meaningful change. Tune in to discover how you can navigate your own leadership path by listening, connecting, and always putting people first.