Navigating Major Programmes – Details, episodes & analysis

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Navigating Major Programmes

Riccardo Cosentino, Shormila Chatterjee, and Evgenia Jilina

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/11d. Total Eps: 113

Navigating Major Programmes is for those working in or around major infrastructure, and want sharper conversations about why major programmes succeed, stall, or struggle. This podcast is the elevated conversation surrounding infrastructure and major programme management. Hosted by Riccardo Cosentino, Shormila Chatterjee, and Evgenia Jilina, the show brings industry leaders and practitioners into candid discussions about the decisions that shape large-scale infrastructure. The conversations surround programme design, governance, procurement, financing, delivery, risk, stakeholder engagement, AI, digital transformation, leadership, inclusion, and public value. Continue the conversation with our community on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - management
13/08/2026
#76
🇨🇦 Canada - management
12/08/2026
#40
🇨🇦 Canada - management
10/08/2026
#99
🇨🇦 Canada - management
09/08/2026
#67
🇨🇦 Canada - management
08/08/2026
#44
🇨🇦 Canada - management
07/08/2026
#32
🇬🇧 Great Britain - management
04/08/2026
#91
🇨🇦 Canada - management
31/07/2026
#83
🇨🇦 Canada - management
30/07/2026
#40
🇨🇦 Canada - management
29/07/2026
#89

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/
154 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/
150 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/
45 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 78%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Building an Engaging Infrastructure Podcast from the Ground Up

Season 4 · Episode 1

Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 01:07:50

What’s going on off-mic for the Navigating Major Programmes podcast team? Riccardo kicks off Season 4 with a behind-the-scenes conversation with Mikaila (writing and marketing) and Mary (podcast production). The three experts from across the communications spectrum join forces to unpack all that happens before the interview begins and after the recording stops.

Thoughtful preparation meets natural curiosity to deliver a show that so many people in the industry and beyond now tune into every week. In this episode, the trio delves into how Riccardo sources guests, the difficulty of scheduling around the busy timelines of professionals, and how both Riccardo’s workflow and confidence have advanced over more than 80 episodes. The back-and-forth becomes a friendly debate over the benefits and drawbacks of AI in writing and podcasting, from audio cleanup and title generation to voice cloning. The team recognizes that authenticity, emotion, and human effort are all in flux as automation continues to dominate our workflows.

On the heels of a milestone season, the fourth installment of Navigating Major Programmes will bring a fresh cohort of insightful professionals—both those newer to infrastructure and well-established—with the goal of further elevating the industry, one conversation at a time.

Key Takeaways

Breaking down all the legwork required before and after recording an episode.
The role of podcasting in building confidence and public speaking ability.
How post-production enhances a show without removing its humanness.
The controversial use of AI in each step of show creation.
Where they’ve been and what’s to come in Season 4.

Quote:

“If you have something interesting to say, my platform is your platform.” - Riccardo Cosentino

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/
Follow Riccardo Cosentino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/
Read Riccardo’s latest at www.riccardocosentino.com
Follow Mikaila Kukurudza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaila-kukurudza/
Follow Mary Chan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/

Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

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Leadership, Courage, and Alignment in Major Projects

Season 3 · Episode 82

Monday, December 15, 2025 • Duration 09:33

In Season 3, Navigating Major Programmes expanded the podcast’s primary goal—to go beyond the tools and frameworks of program delivery into the humanity behind it—with amazing results. In this wrap-up episode, Riccardo reviews the past year, celebrating the panelists, guests, and listeners who make the show possible. He highlights salient points from Uncharted Conversations and Master Builders, points that truly capture the breadth and depth these collaborators have achieved, both behind the mic and every day in their roles as leaders and innovators.

With nearly twice as many episodes and double the weekly listeners from Season 2, the 2025 season gave Riccardo and his co-hosts and guests so many opportunities to explore both the big picture thinking and practical applications that are shaping—and shaking up—the industry today. In January 2026, Navigating Major Programmes will return for season 4 with even more inspiring stories, game-changing ideas, and disruptive conversations about the future of program management.

Disclaimer: Navigating Major Programmes believes in adapting with technological advances. This episode was narrated by an AI-generated voice of the program host.

Key Takeaways:

What this season taught the hosts about what you—the listener—want to hear;
Riccardo’s favourite episodes, to listen back on during the break;
What to expect in season 4, including a brand new series.

Quote:

“The future of this industry will be built by those who lead with humanity.” - Riccardo Cosentino

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

Listen to Episode 4, The Human Side of Major Projects with Melissa Di Marco: https://navigating-major-programmes-2a01b27b.simplecast.com/episodes/the-human-side-of-major-projects-with-melissa-di-marco-master-builders-s3-ep4
Listen to Episode 10, The Powerful Impact of Specialization and Dedication on Long-Haul Projects with Wendy Itagawa:

Self-Improvement and Strategic Leadership in Infrastructure with Annie Ropar

Season 3 · Episode 73

Monday, October 13, 2025 • Duration 50:02

Where can your career take you when you’re open to learning more? In this episode of the Master Builders series, Annie Ropar—the CFO of the UK’s National Wealth Fund (formerly the UK Infrastructure Bank)—joins Riccardo and Shormila for a candid conversation about lifelong learning, leadership humility, and how a start in finance has evolved into purpose-driven management in infrastructure.

Annie’s dedication to curiosity and building great teams is a throughline in her career. A transition from the private to public sector reshaped Annie’s understanding of success—shifting from rapid execution to long-term and varied stakeholder impact. She outlines their different approaches, with the latter’s focus extending beyond amassing revenue to providing lasting social value. With humour and realism, Annie speaks to numerous industry motifs, including the senior-level gender gap and the demands of executive leadership. Her perspective highlights why today’s major programmes demand a special kind of master builder—one who can leave their ego behind and lift the whole team forward.

Key Takeaways

Why never assuming you’re the smartest person in the room is an essential leadership skill
How a recalibration of expectations plays into the transition between sectors and industries;
The caring imperative of leadership, and the challenge of setting boundaries;
Why joining boards isn’t the only possibility for women looking to advance their careers;
The unexpected innovation of Canada’s infrastructure industry.

Quote options:

“I really have a fundamental care for not just my box or whether it's a small box, big box, but also about the people around me, even if they work in different parts of the business, et cetera. I always look at it from the perspective of, I'm an owner of this organization. I may not have shares, I may not have a stock certificate, but I am responsible for everyone in this organization.” - Annie Ropar

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

Stewards of the Public Good: Defining Project Sponsorship with Andrew Antinucci and Carol Deveney

Season 3 · Episode 72

Monday, October 6, 2025 • Duration 54:27

What is the role of the sponsor in planning and delivering major projects? When it comes to public transit infrastructure, on time and on budget is only part of the story. In this episode of Navigating Major Programs, Andrew Antinucci and Carol Deveney—seasoned sponsorship and governance experts at CPCS—join Riccardo in a layered and comprehensive conversation exploring what it really means to ensure not just completion but the benefits of every major programme.

The three self-professed transit geeks unpack this evolving role in Canada. The sponsor is critical, but often misunderstood, responsible not just for justifying cost and schedule, but for identifying and defending monetizing and non-monetizing benefits throughout a project’s lifecycle—for the communities the build will employ, serve, and exist within. From the business case to resisting scope adjustments to navigating multi-layer funding in a changing political climate, project sponsors are quietly shaping the success of the country’s most ambitious projects.

Key Takeaways

Why the project sponsor is a champion of public benefits, not just project outputs;
The importance of post-evaluation for recognizing the short- and long-term benefits;
What Canada can learn from the UK’s more mature sponsorship practices;
How clear accountability reduces risk and speeds decision-making;
What it takes to support scope, governance, and expectations at every phase.

Quote:

“When we're spending public money, I think all of us would agree we've got an absolute duty to say that we're spending it wisely because these things are expensive. There's never enough money to go around, not just our sector, but all the sectors. So the focus on cost should always be there. But, I think benefits are more difficult to explain because a lot of the time, especially in major projects, people get money, they understand what cost is, but the benefits are sometimes more nuanced.” - Carol Deveney

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

Powering Our Planet: the Promise of Major Nuclear Energy Projects with Julianne den Decker

Season 3 · Episode 71

Monday, September 29, 2025 • Duration 46:25

What does our society—and our country—need to know to embrace nuclear as the answer to the global energy situation? Riccardo sits down with the SVP of CANDU Energy at AtkinsRéalis, Julianne den Decker, in this intricate and important conversation. Julianne is the perfect spokesperson to clarify the history and impressive comeback of nuclear energy, a once-maligned and feared innovation.

A lifelong advocate for the science, safety, and societal benefits of this baseline power source, Julianne explains with detail and passion how the decarbonization movement, security concerns, and AI’s unprecedented energy demands make nuclear a no-brainer for uninterrupted electricity around the world. She and Riccardo unpack the misunderstood safety record and strategic advantages of the made-in-Canada nuclear solution, as well as the practical importance of major project best practices in ensuring the success of complex nuclear infrastructure builds. This episode presents insights on the future of energy that make a compelling case for why nuclear matters now more than ever.

Key Takeaways

The factors behind the global nuclear renaissance;
What history got wrong, and how public perception of nuclear risk has evolved;
What sets CANDU reactors apart, including fuel flexibility to medical isotope production;
How the Darlington refurbishment succeeded through collaborative project management and realistic planning;
What the global future of nuclear looks like—and why Canada is well-positioned to lead.

Quote:

“It gets back to fundamental project management. With power generation, we are dealing with a very sophisticated customer that not only runs a big fleet of reactors, but they’re not new to major project execution. There was a lot of thought put into how are we going to run this kind of a major project and how are we going to listen to those who have been around the block and then do this project differently. There’s not one silver bullet you can point to, but many many things we’ve done correctly.” - Julianne den Decker

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

AI Agents at the Table: the Evolution of Disputes in Major Projects

Season 3 · Episode 70

Monday, September 22, 2025 • Duration 56:50

How are new procurement approaches, policies, and politics affecting disputes in major programmes? As collaborative and alliance models continue to rise in popularity, the old disputes playbook is rapidly being rewritten. It’s an exploration perfectly suited to Uncharted Conversations, so Riccardo and Melissa Di Marco take aim at the ways dispute resolution is evolving—courtroom litigation and boardroom negotiations, data-driven forensics, and increasingly AI-assisted workflows.

The focus on alliance-style contracts is shifting fault lines and muddying traditional supply chain relationships within the industry. Legal grey zones introduced by expanding digital components are challenging the dispute landscape, and algorithms are having an outsized influence on expert analysis. Melissa also breaks down why environmental disputes are primed to be the next big thing. This episode explores how teams delivering major infrastructure projects must adapt not only their contracts but also their thinking to resolve issues in an industry where the source of conflict, and the tools to address it, are changing fast.

Key Takeaways

Why alliance contracts still allow certain claims—and why that matters;
How AI and data tools are transforming the speed, scope, and tone of dispute resolution;
Dispute review boards (DRBs) and the change in venue of major project disputes;
Detailed specifics of how delay analysis goes forward in disputes;
How responsibility shifts when AI agents begin making the decisions.

Quote:

“Data won’t eliminate disputes. It might potentially weaponize them in some way, because you can take the same dataset and one party can cherry pick whatever set of data to help them tell a different story, so we might actually see disputes about data about disputes”. - Melissa Di Marco

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/

Systems Change: Building the Skills to Lead in Public-Private Partnerships with Lisa Mitchell

Season 3 · Episode 69

Monday, September 15, 2025 • Duration 59:32

How do you lead a national infrastructure organization in the process of building a new future? This episode for the Master Builders series, invites in one of the experts behind the curtain: Lisa Mitchell, the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP). In her deep-dive conversation with Riccardo and Shormila, she speaks to her journey from politics to the forefront of Canada's infrastructure evolution.

Early experiences in Ottawa prepared Lisa for the fast pace and competing priorities of national infrastructure. She shares how she navigated imposter syndrome and career pivots, and why she sees this moment as a powerful opportunity to modernize P3s. The cross-cultural strengths of this modality, many of which are unique to Canada, create a strong foundation from which to build a groundbreaking tradition, especially today, when infrastructure finds itself front and centre in political discourse. From fostering industry-wide collaboration to advocating for programmatic delivery and inclusive stakeholder engagement, Lisa takes us on a candid, capable, and humble exploration of how we might build a better Canada—one conversation, one contract, and one conference at a time.

Key Takeaways:

Why redefining leadership means focusing on function, not the title;
How infrastructure became a top political priority—and what comes next;
The public and private discourse that makes Canada’s P3 ecosystem uniques;
What goes into organizing Canada’s biggest infrastructure conference (aka P3 Prom);
Why the next era of P3s must expand beyond traditional models and asset classes.

Quote

“It's naturally built on competition, but I had never met a group of private and public sector folks that were so willing and committed to sit at the table and figure out how to make things work and to do good things. If we've got a sticky policy thing, I can pull a group of people together to sit around a boardroom table very easily. They're so committed and willing and they're able to put the individual needs on the back burner to have these conversations and really look at it as industry specific. And I've just been so fascinated by that.” - Lisa Mitchell

Canada’s Future as an Innovator in Major Projects with Tim Murphy

Season 3 · Episode 68

Monday, September 8, 2025 • Duration 57:20

What does it take to deliver nation-building infrastructure in an era of political momentum, regulatory complexity, and evolving priorities? Prepare for an evocative conversation with Tim Murphy, as we explore a complex and important question for our country’s future. Tim is the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Affairs Officer at AECON with an illustrious 40-year career in litigation, politics, and major projects. This wide-ranging discussion is an expert look at the opportunities and obstacles shaping Canada’s infrastructure in the coming years. Tim and Riccardo unpack the interplay between political will, regulatory frameworks, Indigenous participation, and shifting public expectations.

Success depends on more than funding and approvals: it calls for courage, collaboration, and a willingness to rethink entrenched models. Tim speaks to lessons learned from vertical and horizontal building projects, the complicated role of Indigenous reconciliation in project planning, and the urgent need for productivity and innovation in the construction sector. This conversation highlights both the challenges and the untapped potential of thinking—and building—bigger.

Key Takeaways:

Why Canada’s current political climate creates a rare opportunity for nation-building infrastructure.
How Indigenous participation is reshaping project planning and delivery.
The unique regulatory and stakeholder challenges of vertical and horizontal infrastructure projects.
Why public-sector incentives must evolve to prioritize project success over strict contract adherence.
The role of government in driving technology adoption in construction.

Quote:

“To be honest with you, divergent interests inside the indigenous communities too. You'll have some national organizations who have certain kinds of views as national organizations, and very particular communities who are supportive of particular projects and want it to proceed because they see it as the chance for economic reconciliation, jobs, contracts, opportunities. etc. So I think there's a process that needs to happen to have those discussions at a outsized project specific. And then part two is the project specific. So it's not going to be fast.” - Tim Murphy

The Long Game: Finance, Policy, and Leadership in Infrastructure with Sara Alvarado

Season 3 · Episode 67

Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 52:24

What does it take to thrive in the highly complex and male-dominated financial industry? This episode of Master Builder highlights the journey and achievements of Sara Alvarado, a powerhouse in infrastructure finance whose career has spanned continents, crises, and industry and policy overhauls.

With co-hosts Riccardo and Shormila, Sara shares how her experience as an immigrant shaped her resilience. She details her role in defining infrastructure as an asset class in Canada and describes the unique combination of ever-growing policy and risk expertise that has kept her on a steady career trajectory for more than 30 years. From spearheading early renewable energy financing deals to helping shape global UN guidelines on digitalization and gender equality, Sara reminds us that success is driven by more than technical skills—it calls for hard work, curiosity, and passion.

This conversation is an opportunity to explore the interplay of finance, infrastructure, and social impact. Sara recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her sustainable finance contributions and is a true Master Builder—one who has already begun to shape her legacy.

Key Takeaways

How Canada’s early renewable energy boom helped define infrastructure finance as we know it;
The impact of the 2008 financial crisis on infrastructure as a stable, long-term investment;
Why policy, finance, and technology need to move in tandem to shape meaningful change;
The one trait Sara prioritizes over everything else when building successful teams;
A behind-the-scenes look at how UN working groups are driving global change.

Quote:

“I think there's a catalytic point. It is in our brains and we feel the need to do more. So it's either moving into something different, moving into a much more senior role, decision maker, leader position, or you can move into boards. And that will come at different times for different females. But what I want them to know is, yes, there is a second career curve. And it can be hard because you're learning something else. But it is very rewarding. And it happens at a time where females are much more confident.” - Sara Alvarado

The Leadership Gap: Building Better Leaders for the Future of Canadian Infrastructure

Season 3 · Episode 66

Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 01:03:36

How do we transform infrastructure experts into infrastructure leaders in time for Canada’s building boom? Canada is facing a future of increased infrastructure projects, but the country has a poor track record when it comes to delivering major projects. In fact, “over time and over budget” is a global industry trope.

In pursuit of systemic, upstream solutions, Riccardo compiles an esteemed panel of experts for a timely and critical conversation: how do we elevate the leadership of multi-billion-dollar major infrastructure programmes essential to our country’s national culture and well-being? Barriers to collaboration, differences and similarities between infrastructure programmes and corporations, the behavioural versus the technical—the industry leaders break down what’s going wrong and why we haven’t fixed it yet. Unwilling to stop at theory, the group posits and troubleshoots actionable ways governments and the private sector could work together to quickly and effectively shore up Canada’s infrastructure industry.

Key Takeaways:

The theories as to why it costs more to create infrastructure in Canada;
The significant and often-ignored gap between technical, management, and leadership skill sets;
How an integrated leadership training program could elevate all levels of project management;
The impact of lackluster research into Canada’s past infrastructure successes and failures;
Utilizing AI within reason in an industry that relies on human interaction.

Quote:

“I think we can create a program that builds on the global experience and best practices, but also captures Canada’s own project delivery cultures, business practices, community needs, and sees leadership through that lens and enables us to deliver projects. But it's going to take governments coming on board and recognizing the value that it's not just private sector expertise on these projects. You don't just hand over a project and then say come back in five years and we'll cut the ribbon together. There's a ton of leadership that's required on the public sector side too, at the highest levels of the organization to make sure that these projects stay on track.” - Matti Siemiatycki

Navigating Major Programmes – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

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Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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Navigating Major Programmes – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

LinkedIn99+

Other55

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

LinkedIn99+

Other55

Amazon9