Inside the Executive Roundtable: How Top AEC Leaders Tackle What Actually Matters

Ying Liu, LEED AP BD+C
Sr. Director, Growth Consulting

A firm believer that complacency breeds failure, Ying is driven by innate curiosity and life-long learning with a growth mindset. She is passionate about leading with purpose, inclusion, and authenticity.

With over 15 years of diverse experience in the AEC industry, Ying has served in various capacities including strategic planning, design, and implementation; marketing and business development; CRM operations and commercial pipeline; client team management and capture win plans; as well as proposal development and oversight. Her unique strengths lie within her ability to integrate tactical thinking and strategic insights into business planning and capture qualitative and quantitative components to convey a cohesive message.

Prior to joining Zweig Group in 2022, Ying served as the Deputy Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for the US Operations of a Paris-based multinational architectural and engineering consulting firm specializing in public transportation and mobility solutions. Recognized as an innovative strategist who can integrate multiple perspectives into a shared vision, Ying was promoted to this growth-focused strategic role at the onset of COVID to partner with C-suite executives and cross-functional teams to develop a 2-3 year strategic plan for organizational survival and return to growth. She was also responsible for managing the implementation and execution effort of the strategic plan by facilitating regular performance reviews against pre-established KPIs to drive organizational growth and profitability.

Ying holds an MBA with a concentration in management and strategies and a Bachelor of Business Administration in international marketing, both degrees from the City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch College. Spurred by simple curiosity and a genuine interest in sustainability, Ying obtained her LEED AP BD+C credential in 2021. She is also multilingual - fluent in English, Korean, and Chinese, with intermediate proficiency in French and Japanese.

Chad brings over 20 years of AEC experience and a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to every engagement. A licensed engineer and respected thought leader, he champions firm growth, effective leadership, and strategic investment in marketing and business development—driving lasting success and advancing the AEC industry. Passionate about helping firms grow and expand their impact, Chad focuses on delivering strategic solutions in areas such as:

• • Strategic business planning 
  • Vision setting and directional leadership
  • AEC firm advisory and executive coaching 
  • Organizational restructuring and leadership alignment 
  • Growth and turnaround strategy 
  • Mergers, acquisitions, and partner transitions

Beyond his consulting and advisory work, Chad serves as an external board member for engineering firms across the country. His experience working within boardrooms—across firms at different stages of growth—gives him a practical, governance-driven perspective on how strong boards are built, structured, and leveraged to support leadership, strategy, and long-term firm success.