Wisdom in Wealth with Stephanie Fox

In this exclusive roundtable episode of Wisdom in Wealth, host Stephanie Fogelson brings together a panel of seasoned commercial real estate professionals to have an honest, forward-looking conversation about the state of CRE as we head into 2026.
This discussion dives into what industry insiders are seeing on the ground — how the market is evolving, where opportunities are emerging and what challenges professionals, investors and communities should be paying attention to in the years ahead. Drawing from decades of collective experience in the Phoenix metropolitan area and beyond, the panel shares perspectives shaped by real transactions, long-term relationships and a deep understanding of the market’s cycles.
Wisdom in Wealth is proudly sponsored by Landmark Title, the experts in title and escrow services. To learn more about Landmark Title's services and team, visit ltaag.com and follow on LinkedIn. 

In this episode of Wisdom in Wealth, host Stephanie Fogelson sits down with Beth Scarano, founder of LaunchPM, and seasoned construction management leader whose career spans engineering, large general contractors, and ultimately, entrepreneurship.
Beth shares her unconventional path into construction — one built over decades, not overnight. From working inside a structural engineering firm (literally starting in a closet), to managing massive construction projects, to founding her own firm at 50, Beth’s story is a masterclass in patience, confidence and earned leadership.
Stephanie and Beth dive into:
Why construction management exists and the “missing layer” it fills
How experience across engineering, general contractor work, and project delivery shaped her leadership style
The reality of starting a company later in life and why timing matters
What it means to manage projects holistically, not just contractually
Building trust with physician-led clients who can’t afford costly mistakes
Letting go as a founder and learning to lead through others
Why integrity, communication and doing what you say still win
This conversation explores the parallels between leadership, motherhood and project management, and why the best outcomes come from people willing to see the whole picture, not just their piece of it. Tune in for a candid discussion on earned confidence, thoughtful growth, and building something that lasts.
 
Keep up with LaunchPM on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launch-pm 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/launch_pm/?hl=en 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaunchPM/ 

In this episode of Wisdom in Wealth, host Stephanie Fogelson sits down with Joe Evans, Vice President and Real Estate Portfolio Manager for Mountain America Credit Union, a mission-driven financial institution making a strategic and highly visible entrance into Arizona.
Joe shares his winding career path with refreshing honesty;  from chasing titles in global corporate real estate to navigating cultures that didn’t fit, to ultimately finding his way back to an organization aligned with his values. With his grounded perspective and clear sense of purpose, he opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the pivots that humbled him and the moment he realized meaningful work mattered more than prestige.
Stephanie and Joe dive into:
Mountain America’s rapid expansion into Arizona and why physical branches still matter
The credit union difference and how member-focused banking shifts financial outcomes
The story behind their high-profile Valley partnerships from ASU to the Suns and Mercury
Joe’s detour into global portfolio management during COVID and what it taught him about leadership
How an SBA loan changed his family’s trajectory and ultimately redirected his own career
What it means to build a mission-first real estate strategy in a booming, competitive market
This episode offers an inside look at career reinvention, values-based leadership and the power of aligning your work with the people you want to serve. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation with one of the leaders shaping Mountain America’s footprint in the Valley.

In this episode of Wisdom in Wealth, host Stephanie Fogelson sits down with Andrea Piering, president of Sun State Builders, to unpack her 25+ year climb through a family-founded construction firm now celebrating more than five decades in Arizona. Andrea shares candid reflections on learning the trade from the ground up, leading a succession transition and intentionally building a company culture that promotes from within.
The conversation covers:
Andrea’s start doing weekend conduit work and how early, hands-on experience shaped her career path
The step-by-step progression from courier to coordinator to president and the mindset that fueled each move
Mentorship, humility and practical advice for young professionals, especially women, entering a male-dominated industry
How Sun State Builders keeps culture, customer service and owner accessibility at the center of growth
Workforce development: promoting from within, longevity and creating upward mobility for employees
The role of innovation and emerging tools (including early AI use) in improving efficiency and design reviews
Running a family-rooted business responsibly: the weight of leadership when families and livelihoods depend on you
Lessons on persistence, asking to do the work and the everyday practices that translate into leadership
This episode is full of actionable wisdom for anyone building a career in construction, running a service-driven business or mentoring the next generation of leaders. Tune in for practical lessons, candid stories and a reminder that steady curiosity and hard work moves careers forward.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the Phoenix business community and beyond!
Keep up with Andrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-piering-55b14880/
Stay up to date with Sun State Builders:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-state-builders/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sunstatebuilders/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunStateBuildersAZ
X: https://x.com/SSB_AZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SunStateBuilders

In this episode of Wisdom in Wealth, host Stephanie Fogelson sits down with Erica Sinner, founder and CEO of Ladies in Land, a rapidly expanding national organization now spanning 19 chapters across the U.S.
Erica shares her unconventional journey from marketing professional to dating-app creator to becoming a force to be reckoned with in land development. With her signature candor and no-nonsense storytelling, she opens up about the early challenges she faced in the male-dominated industry, the knowledge gaps she refused to let hold her back, and the moment she realized women needed a dedicated space to learn, connect and lead.
Stephanie and Erica dive into:
How land development really works — from raw dirt to delivered development
The origins of Ladies in Land and why the industry desperately needed it
The ambitious (and sometimes chaotic) reality of launching nearly 20 chapters in 12 months
Why education, collaboration and national connectivity are changing the landscape for women in development
The future of the organization, including a university initiative designed to shape the next generation of leaders
This episode is a candid look at grit, growth and encouraging women to take hold of their seat at the table. Tune in for an inspiring story of building something much bigger than a network: a movement.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the Phoenix community and beyond!
 
Keep up with Erica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esinner/
Stay up to date with Ladies in Land on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ladies-in-land-inc/

In this episode of Wisdom in Wealth, host Stephanie Fogelson sits down with CRE veteran Andrea Davis, founder of Davis Commercial AZ, to discuss the ins and outs of running a successful CRE brokerage, the impressive pivots she made to get here, as well as her unique approach to fostering growth in new brokers.
Andrea shares how her diverse background — from the restaurant industry to acting, modeling and executive support — shaped her approach to commercial real estate and inspired her to create a firm focused on guiding businesses through every step of leasing and property ownership. The conversation covers:
Andrea’s journey from culinary school and life in NYC to launching a brokerage in Arizona
The unique challenges and opportunities in commercial real estate for tenants, landlords and investors
Mentorship, leadership and developing young talent in the brokerage industry
How personal pivots and life lessons fueled her professional growth
Strategies for balancing work, life and building meaningful business relationships
Lessons on perseverance, hustle and creating a firm culture centered on service and trust
This episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for navigating change and creating success on your own terms.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the Phoenix community and beyond!

In this episode of the Wisdom and Wealth Podcast, host Stephanie sits down with Lisa Giocondi, a leader at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lisa shares her dynamic career journey, starting from nursing, transitioning into broadcast journalism, teaching, and finally rising through the ranks in healthcare management. The conversation delves into pivotal career decisions, the challenges and opportunities in the healthcare field, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of embracing technological advancements in medicine. Lisa also talks about her recent role with the Arizona Healthcare American College of Healthcare Executives and provides insights into overcoming personal and professional obstacles. This episode offers valuable takeaways for anyone contemplating a career in healthcare or navigating significant career changes.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
00:33 Host's Background and Podcast Purpose
01:48 Lisa's Early Career and Education
04:06 Transition to Teaching and Return to Healthcare
05:37 Journey to Arizona and Leadership Roles
09:56 Joining Mayo Clinic and Healthcare Evolution
14:35 AI in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities
21:46 The Toll of COVID on Healthcare Workers
22:13 Post-COVID Challenges in Healthcare
23:04 Impact on Medical Education and Training
24:52 Nursing Shortages and Systemic Issues
28:49 Personal Reflections and Career Advice
36:27 Words of Wisdom and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Wisdom in Wealth Podcast, host Stephanie Fogelson sits down with Keith Galbut, founder of Advocate, to discuss his remarkable career pivot from practicing attorney to owner’s representative in the luxury residential construction space.
Keith shares how his legal background exposed him to the recurring challenges homeowners face during high-end home builds, inspiring him to create a firm dedicated to representing families’ best interests throughout the construction process. The conversation covers:
Keith’s transition from law to construction management, including earning a master’s degree in construction
The unique role of an owner’s rep and why it’s essential for luxury and ultra-luxury projects
Common pitfalls in residential construction and how Advocate helps clients avoid them
The importance of pre-construction planning and assembling the right team
Lessons learned from commercial construction and how they apply to residential projects
The emotional and practical challenges homeowners face during major remodels or new builds
Keith’s vision for Advocate’s national expansion and the evolving role of technology in the industry
Insights on career pivots, growth, and building a purpose-driven team
Whether you’re interested in real estate, construction, or stories of bold career changes, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for navigating complex projects and embracing new opportunities.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the Phoenix community and beyond!

Wisdom and Wealth Podcast – Guest: Steve La Terra
In this episode of the Wisdom and Wealth Podcast, host Stephanie Fogelson interviews Steve La Terra, a seasoned real estate developer in Phoenix, Arizona. Steve shares his journey from a challenging childhood—marked by family loss and early independence—to building a successful career in real estate. He discusses the importance of resilience, tenacity, and patience, especially in the face of industry downturns and market challenges.
Steve explains the evolution of the build-to-rent housing model, the dynamics of working with city governments, and the need for better collaboration between developers and municipalities. He emphasizes the value of strong relationships, adaptability, and continuous growth, both personally and professionally. The conversation is filled with insights on overcoming adversity, navigating the real estate market, and striving for sustainable business success.
Key Topics:
Steve’s journey from humble beginnings and overcoming family adversity
Building resilience through non-traditional upbringing and early independence
The importance of tenacity and patience in real estate and business
Steve’s career path: from analyst to developer, with a focus on capital markets and land investment
Lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis and strategies for navigating downturns
The evolution of the “build-to-rent” housing model in Phoenix and the West Valley
Challenges and opportunities in working with city governments and urban planning
The value of partnership and open dialogue between developers and cities
Advice for young professionals: keep moving forward, embrace rejection, and build strong relationships
Steve’s vision for his company: sustainability, growth, and strong partnerships
Notable Quotes:
“If you weren’t resilient, you weren’t gonna make it.”
“You’re one closer to a yes.”
“It really is a partnership between developers and cities.”
“There are individual summits along the way, but I don’t think you ever summit.”
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Through Her Eyes: Layla Pian's Tenacious Journey to Mural Mastery
In this episode, Stephanie interviews Layla Pian, the artist behind Arizona's largest mural in downtown Phoenix. Layla shares her inspiring journey from being part of an Iranian immigrant family to becoming a prominent muralist. The mural, a depiction of her eyes overlooking Phoenix, symbolizes her tenacity and the message she hopes to share with the community. Layla discusses the challenges she faced, from balancing in harnesses to navigating through the nuances of the art world. The episode also explores her advice to developers on incorporating art into projects and touches on the importance of business education for artists. Stephanie also shares her personal perspectives and experiences, making for a rich and engaging conversation.
 
In this Episode: 
00:00 Introduction to Layla Pian's Mural
00:45 Meet Your Host: Stephanie
00:54 Welcome to the Wisdom in Wealth Podcast
01:59 Discovering Layla's Mural
02:30 The Journey of Creating the Mural
04:23 Layla's Artistic Background
06:36 Challenges and Techniques in Mural Painting
12:55 The Personal Touch: Layla's Eyes
13:14 Layla's Inspirational Journey
22:30 The Future of Art in Phoenix
26:40 Artistic Influences and Family Talent
27:02 Exploring Multiple Talents
27:34 The Burnout and Rediscovery of Passion
29:43 Cultural Connections and Real Estate
32:20 The Drive to Succeed
34:42 Supporting the Art Community
41:29 Incorporating Art in Development Projects
50:05 Final Thoughts and Reflections