67. The Culture Shift We Can Build: Diversity, Flexibility, and the Future of Trades

Building Doors with Lauren Karan

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan welcomes the remarkable Radmila Desic, a carpenter turned national changemaker and Order of Australia Medal recipient, to explore what it truly takes to reshape an industry and build a legacy that lasts.

Radmila’s story spans continents, generations, and industries, from her humble beginnings in Montenegro to becoming a leading voice for women in construction. As Brisbane prepares for the 2032 Olympics, Radmila shares a bold vision: empowering women and elite athletes to build the very stadiums they’ll one day play in.

This is a raw, real, and incredibly inspiring conversation about courage, culture change, and doing the hard things, even when the world says “no.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Trailblazing in Trades:

• Rad’s journey from immigrant to industry influencer.
• What it was really like to be a female apprentice in a male-dominated trade.
• Standing up to discrimination with wit, resilience, and action.

Shifting Culture, Not Just Genders:

• Why inclusion on job sites benefits everyone, not just women.
• The Male Allies program that’s changing mindsets, one conversation at a time.
• How workplace culture impacts everything from safety to mental health.

Brisbane 2032 and the Legacy Opportunity:

• A call to action: getting women and athletes into trades to build Olympic infrastructure.
• Leveraging elite sporting pathways into parallel careers in construction.
• Why we need to target sporting clubs, not just schools, for recruitment.

Creating Systemic Change:

• Why we must rethink flexibility and work-life balance in construction.
• The case for diversity as a driver of innovation and productivity.
• What “30 percent by 2032” could mean for the future of trades.

About Our Guest:

Radmila Desic AM is a nationally recognised leader in the Australian construction sector and a fierce advocate for tradeswomen. A qualified carpenter, former elite rugby league player, and the recipient of the Order of Australia Medal, Rad is currently spearheading efforts to use the Brisbane 2032 Olympics as a launchpad for lasting change. Her work bridges the gap between sport, trades, and equity, empowering women to build the very future they’ll compete in.

Key Quotes from Radmila:

• “We’re not just building stadiums, we’re building futures.”
• “The barriers aren’t the work. The barriers are the culture.”
• “Women have been moving furniture solo for decades. We can build bridges too.”

About Your Host:

Lauren Karan is the founder of Karan & Co. and the voice behind Building Doors, where she interviews changemakers who are rewriting the rules in construction, infrastructure, and beyond. A recruiter, coach, and advocate for career empowerment, Lauren helps listeners stop waiting and start building their futures.

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Let’s Connect:

• Want to be a guest or share your thoughts?
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Thanks for listening. It’s time to stop waiting and start building.