Thank you FOR attending
youthbuild boston’s 2026 BUILDFEST
buildfest highlights
Moments from BuildFest. See the photo gallery here.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at this years’ BuildFest!
We are grateful to bring together industry leaders, community partners, YouthBuild Boston Alumni, and supporters to celebrate and invest in the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Your presence, partnership, and support continue to strengthen the opportunities we're building for young people and the future of our workforce.
Thank you for being part of the community helping make this work possible!
Whether you joined us or supported us from a afar, you can still be part of the impact and support the young people we serve!
BuildFest Welcomes Luciana Burdi
We’re excited to welcome Luciana Burdi as our featured speaker for a fireside chat, Building What’s Next: Infrastructure and the Workforce of the Future, at BuildFest.
Join us on May 13 at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building for an inspiring morning of conversation, connection, and community!
About Luciana
Dr. Luciana Burdi, Intl. Assoc. AIA, CCM, MCPPO, NAC, FCMMA
Dr. Luciana Burdi serves as the Chief Infrastructure Officer for Capital Programs at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) . in this capacity, she oversees the development and execution of the Capital Investment Program (CIP) across Massport’s portfolio, including Logan International Airport, Worcester Regional Airport, Hanscom Field, Conley Container Terminal, and Flynn Cruiseport Terminal. Her leadership extends to environmental permitting, safety, utilities management, and in-house design integration.
A champion of innovation, Dr. Burdi is shifting Capital Programs toward a data-driven, design-technology-focused model. She is deeply committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, prioritizing workforce development, diversity, and sustainability to elevate quality outcomes.
Recognized for her industry influence, Dr. Burdi was inducted into the National Academy of Construction (NAC) in 2023. Her recent accolades include the 2026 AGCMA “BWiC Visionary of the year”, 2025 WTS “Woman of the Year”, 2024 CMAA New England "Person of the Year", and the 2024 "Honorary Member Award" from the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES).
Dr. Burdi holds a Doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Master’s degree from the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (IUAV). She is a former SPURS Fellow at MIT and previously served at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).
WHERE INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY, AND
FUTURE BUILDERS CONNECT
why buildfest matters
BuildFest is more than a networking event - It’s a celebration of the people and partnerships that make this work possible. Together with our students, alumni, industry partners, and supporters, we’re building pathways into the trades and creating brighter futures for young adults across Boston.
BuildFest is an opportunity for students, alumni, and guests to gather, exchange ideas, build meaningful connections, and celebrate the impact of this growing community.
the power of partnership
YouthBuild Boston’s impact is made possible through strong partnerships. BuildFest celebrates the industry leaders, community organizations, and supporters who invest in the next generation of builders. Guests will also hear from our speakers, students, and alumni, sharing the real impact of opportunity and community support.
thank you to our 2026 buildfest sponsors !
A huge thank you to our sponsors helping us build stronger pathways and brighter futures for the young adults we serve.
Premier Sponsor
• United Way
Pillar Sponsors
• Colantonio
• Gilbane
Foundation Sponsor
• Starlite Building Services
Framework Sponsors
• Dimeo Construction Company
• Lee Kennedy Company, Inc.
Builder Sponsors
• Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
• H. J. Russell & Company
• New England Finish Systems, LLC
Supporting Sponsors
• AGCMA
• Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association
• H. Carr & Sons, Inc.
• InOrder Business
• J&M Brown Company
• James W. Flett Co. Inc.
• McDonald Electrical Corporation
Community Sponsors
• Delphi Construction
• DPR Construction
• Haycon
• Liberty
• Select Demo Services, LLC