Building Your People
Construction companies must have learning partners, helping teams – big and small – overcome challenges to create seamless processes that foster thriving, self-sufficient, and engaged employees.
The Results You Can Expect
Investing in your people doesn’t mean breaking the bank. In fact, clients who’ve teamed up with Building PPL have experienced transformative bottom-line business results without overspending (on top of supercharging their workforce).
For our clients by strategically researching and applying to optimal vendors that connect training opportunities that mirror their business goals.
Our clients saved money by investing in their current employees which helped increase employee satisfaction and retention, keeping more funds in their pockets.
Our clients get new hires up to speed faster, reducing training costs and preventable errors.
" I would highly recommend Building PPL as a learning partner. Krysta and her team take a very customized approach to helping your company. This is not a pre-planned one size fits all approach. They take the time to get to know your goals and jump right in to help you achieve them."
- Timothy Wilson
Vice President & Principal, the lagassé group
" The grant writing process can seem daunting to people who haven't navigated it previously. Krysta broke the process down in a way that made sense for us, and helped us maximize the grants we received. I'd highly recommend that anyone considering applying for a grant to reach out to BuildingPPL and have a conversation with them."
- Randy DiBartola
Director of People Operations at NEI General ContractingYour Learning Partner
You may have noticed we don’t spell out the word “people” in our company name, although it is indeed pronounced“Building People.”
Our namesake is derived from a belief that as people, we’re never truly done growing, learning, or ever fully developed. Hence, “PPL” represents the opportunity to work with you as you continue your learning journey.
Our CORE VALUES
01
Dependability
We do what we say we’ll do. We know our stuff and if we don’t, we’ll figure it out or find out who does.
02
Connection
Relationships are the center of all we do. We care about you.
03
Dynamism
We intentionally bring the energy and attitude necessary for every project and interaction.
04
Growth
Development with curiosity fuels abundance in our companies and communities.
Meet The Founder
Krysta Van Ranst
Founder and Learning Business Partner
Krysta Van Ranst is a transformative leader in the construction industry, renowned for her profound impact. She’s the type of leader you want to ride into battle with.
With over a decade of experience, Krysta’s expertise has yielded remarkable results, including saving a client a staggering $2.4 million through training initiatives. She’s also secured over $4 million in vital funds for her clients.
Krysta’s journey began in 2009 and has seen her influence flourish at esteemed companies like Suffolk Construction, TripAdvisor, and Dellbrook | JKS.
With a pulse on career alignment, project management (a.k.a getting s*** done), and an unwavering commitment to helping others succeed, she’s helped transform construction companies into award-winning training organizations, pioneered top-tier learning cultures, and remarkably reduced client turnover rates. Facilitating seamless leadership transitions for organizations and delivering tailored management programs to over 1,000 employees is her middle name.
The personification of an achiever and enthusiast personality, Krysta lives, breathes, and eats learning and development (L&D). She’s a firm believer that all people have the potential to be great – all it takes to unleash people’s untapped potential is a little TLC and L&D.
Krysta’s favorite L&D book, podcast, or publication:
- The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek.
As a kid, Krysta wanted to be:
- A jockey or vet. Unfortunately, Krysta is 5 ft. 2 in. so she’s too tall to be a jockey. She was in high school when she joined Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and learned how much she enjoy solving problems. 20+ years later, and that hasn't changed!
3 things you can always find on Krysta’s desk:
- More books than she could physically read, too many sticky notes filled with ideas, and artwork that her kids made.
On a typical Sunday morning, you can find Krysta:
- Sipping chai while bothering her husband to see what household projects she can get him to do that week.
Meet The TEAM
Paige Garland
Director – Grant Management
With a colorful background in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, leadership and culture development, Paige Garland beautifully weaves those skills and experience as our Director of Grant Management.
Paige has helped secure grant funding for organizations that contribute to the overall happiness and success of its people. A good listener at her core and a strong ability to comprehend complex systems, Paige digs deep to understand her grant clients’ business and training needs to produce a comprehensive learning journey that translates into an effective grant application.
When she’s not helping clients secure grant funding, Paige enjoys brushing up on her tennis skills, hanging out with her girlfriends, reading sci-fi novels, and listening to reggae music. She’s happiest with a cup of joe in her hands, feet in the sand, and hearing the laughter of her three boys and husband around her.
Paige’s favorite L&D book, podcast, or publication:
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.
As a kid, Paige wanted to be:
- Growing up, Paige played CEO in the corner office. Now, she wants to be content and peaceful, spread kindness, and have a positive impact on everyone she meets - leaving people even just a little better than she found them.
3 things you can always find on Paige’s desk:
- More beverages than one human should need, extra pens, and a stack of books she’s currently reading.
Bradford Selby
Director of Leadership Development
Blend internal expertise with external insight, wildly contagious positive energy, and a background in learning, management, and personal development, and you’ve got our Director of Leadership Development, Bradford Selby.
Bradford started combining his positive energy with a passion for leadership and personal development during college, where he was pushed well beyond his preconceived limits, studying outdoor education. These experiences, fueled by his perspective that learning is a keystone behavior, power Bradford to empowered leadership and management workshops that help our clients and their employees learn, grow, create, and transform in their roles.
When he’s not leading energizing training sessions for our clients, Bradford is practicing improv with his theater group, going for a run, or eating a slice of pizza whenever and wherever possible.
Bradford’s favorite L&D book, podcast, or publication:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear. No matter what he’s trying to accomplish, whether in work or personal life, the lessons in Atomic Habits help get him there!
One thing you can always find on Bradford’s desk:
- A small baseball-sized stuffed animal for when colleagues' kids pop up on a virtual call. It also reminds him not to take things too seriously.
On a typical Sunday morning, Bradford is:
- Headed to Portland, Maine to see his niece and nephew!
Olesia Adams
Director of Program Development
As a lifelong learner, Olesia Adams translates her curiosity and vibrant energy into her position as the Director of Program Development. Thriving in a fast-paced environment, Olecia weaves together ideas and concepts to create programs that help clients find their “aha!” moment.
Olesia brings over a decade of experience in program management and administration, where she brought innovative recruitment strategies and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to the Building PPL team.
She hones her love for people and numbers by rolling out programs that power employees’ professional lives, connecting programs with business bottom-line goals that help teams retain critical knowledge and optimize processes.
Olesia is happiest hitting the outdoors with her family; Boating, fishing, biking, paddle boarding, and hiking trails are frequent activities at her home on Cape Cod. She also enjoys trying out new recipes with her sous chefs (a.k.a her kiddos!).
Olesia’s favorite L&D books:
- The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni, One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard, and The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann.
3 things you can always find on Olesia’s desk:
- A water bottle, a cup of tea, and a picture of her family.
On a typical Sunday morning, you can find Olesia:
- From going to church to baking with her little chefs, Olesia is spending time with her husband, son, daughter and dog, Lucy.
Tina Agostinelli
Operations Manager
Medical assistant-turned-operations enthusiast Tina has always had a career helping others. Her superpower–an authentic ability to connect, empathize, and communicate with people–makes her an outstanding Operations Manager.
An entrepreneur at heart, Tina brings an out-of-the-box and creative approach to help brainstorm new projects and solve problems. After working in a medical office for over a decade, Tina brings her skills in time management, organization, and effective communication to facilitate productive interactions and foster positive relationships with our team and clients.
A consummate multi-tasker, Tina finds her calling collaborating with others, steering our organization’s day-to-day operations, and uncovering areas of improvement. On most days, you can find Tina diving into spreadsheets and creating documents to improve processes and efficiency.
When she’s not keeping her two active boys busy, she enjoys running her own small business and appreciates quiet days at home making dinner with her husband and baking sweet treats with her boys.
Tina’s favorite L&D book, podcast, or publication:
- For personal and professional inspiration, The Mel Robbins Podcast. To further her knowledge as a lactation educator, The Milk Minute- A Lactation Podcast.
Three things you can always find on Tina’s desk:
- Well-organized clutter in the form of books, sticky notes, colorful pens; multiple beverages, and various notebooks to brainstorm ideas, jot to-do lists, brain dumps, and random thoughts before they make it to a Google Doc for their final drafts.
On a typical Sunday morning, you can find Tina:
- Heading to a rink or a field with her sports-loving boys!
Christina Losurdo
Director of Learning & Development
Deeply devoted to our clients’ growth, Christina Losurdo melds a passion for culture with a keen eye for consumer research to create environments where people can thrive authentically.
Having spent over a decade as a consumer insights specialist, Christina blends her expertise in innovative research techniques, brand consulting, and creative event strategy to help brands build culture and create impact. Her superpower–a sense of deep empathy–drives her interest in the L&D space, where she uses her knowledge of data and the psychology of human behavior to track meaningful metrics and create strategic plans that drive business results.
Offline, Christina serves as a volunteer Director of People & Culture for Slant’d, an Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) non-profit and indie publishing house, dedicated to celebrating authentic stories of self-discovery, meaningful connection, and creative expansion. Here, she collaborates with a small, but mighty team to curate a volunteer-run culture and build community on the foundation of strong organizational values.
Besides contributing to the growth of others, nothing fills Christina’s cup like spending quality time with her husband, daughters Taylor (affectionately known as TJ) and Penny, and their loving pup, Mae. She also enjoys early morning runs, baking, and discovering new breweries.
Christina’s favorite L&D book, podcast, or publication:
- Payout by Dan Ariely is a fascinating read to understand the psychology of motivation, especially what motivates people in the workplace.
Three things you can always find on Christina’s desk:
- Her planner, ice water, snacks, and a plethora of Post-it notes to jot down random thoughts.
On a typical Sunday morning, Christina is:
- Making an Americano and pancakes in the kitchen before heading outdoors to create some memories with her little family.
BUILDING TEAMS
SINCE 2009
The Foundation
is Laid
With a track record that includes learning and development positions with Suffolk Construction, TripAdvisor, and Dellbrook | JKS, founder Krysta Van Ranst set her sights on building companies greatest asset: its people.
Transforming Construction Companies
into Training Leaders
A pulse on business’s unique training and learning needs, Krysta spearheaded learning initiatives that transformed construction companies into award-winning training organizations. At the helm of Krysta’s leadership, construction companies have been named the #27 and #45 best training companies in America.
Pioneering Global Learning Initiatives
in Tech
Transitioned to the global tech space to build her employer's learning department from the ground up. Krysta broke new ground by globalizing learning opportunities to offer both instructor-led and eLearning programs in five languages.
Secured $160,000 in Grants,
Slashed Losses by $700,000
Wrote and received $160,000 in grants to provide additional learning opportunities and decreased the company’s major losses by $700,000 in 12 months as her employer's L&D department of one.
Empowering Through Construction Expertise:
The Building PPL Journey
Married her nearly decade of boots-on-the-ground experience in the construction industry with her unwavering passion to empower individuals by founding Building PPL. With a heightened sense of purpose, Krysta helped organizations access over $400,000 in grant funding to train more than 350 employees in her first year in business.
Elevating Training Funds and Impact:
Krysta's Collaborative Success
Working in tune with regional and national clients, construction companies, training vendors, and employees, Krysta helped double training funds awarded to organizations, fueling $800,000 in grant funds to train upwards of 800 employees.
Unleashing Potential:
Building PPL's Million-Dollar Journey
Along with her small but mighty team, Krysta has accessed over $1M in grant funds and formalized Building PPL’s proprietary framework to build employee confidence through learning opportunities that unleash untapped potential.
- DREW PECKHAM
VP of Risk Management & Employee Development, UNIFIED CONSTRUCTION GROUP
Schedule Your Call
Let’s take the first step toward your empowered future. Book a call and explore how Building PPL can shape your journey to excellence.
