It is fitting that EDA Contractors CEO Ed DeAngelis joins the Culture Architects podcast this May during Mental Health Awareness Month, as his leadership journey centers on creating a workplace rooted in trust, psychological safety, and intentional culture.
In this episode, Ed sits down with host David Friedman to share how intentionality became the driving force behind his company’s culture journey.
Ed reflects on the challenges of introducing cultural values to a skeptical workforce and explains how patience, resilience, and consistency helped bring people on board. From debating the meaning of “humility” to recognizing employees for behaviors, not just outcomes, he explains how EDA moved beyond words on a wall to values embedded in everyday work.
The episode offers a powerful reminder for leaders in any industry: culture doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. And when done with heart and purpose, it becomes a company’s most sustainable competitive advantage.
Listen to part one below. Stay tuned for part two, releasing next week.