Sara Pizarro, Vice President of Operations at Y Scouts, recently attended the 2026 Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIAOC) Economic Outlook, a high-impact event where industry experts laid out forecasts for housing, business confidence, and regional market trends that will shape strategic decision-making in the year ahead.
As the operational leader of one of the country’s most innovative executive search firms, Pizarro joined peers and industry leaders at the February 2 event to dig into the economic signals that affect hiring, investment, and growth strategy, especially for companies in real estate, construction, and private equity-backed development.
“As an executive search firm, we don’t just react to hiring needs. We help companies plan for them,” said Pizarro. “Understanding where the market is headed in 2026 helps us guide our clients on how and when to invest in executive leadership.”
BIAOC is a non-profit trade association. It advocates and provides networking opportunities for more than 1,100 companies and professionals in the homebuilding, contracting, and real estate industries. The organization’s Outlook event is its largest annual event and of particular interest to Y Scouts because of the firm’s strong presence as an executive recruiter for the construction industry.
This year’s key takeaways influencing executive hiring included:
- Housing and Local Market Forecasts
Experts like John Burns of John Burns Real Estate Consulting provided forward-looking data on housing inventory, price trends, and buyer behavior, which are critical for companies hiring in development, real estate, and construction. - Business Confidence and Economic Direction
Presenters showed how macroeconomic indicators, including GDP growth expectations and employment trends, can help companies align talent strategies with projected headwinds or opportunities. - Policy and Regulatory Impact
Insights on interest rates, tariffs, and regulation provided important context on how external forces will shape capital access, construction costs, and the talent market. - Data-Driven Planning Tools
Attendees received regional forecasts and hard data, including housing starts, labor market shifts, and affordability metrics, that can be used to model hiring plans, budgeting, and growth projections across operational teams.
“We are deeply committed to understanding the markets and industries we serve, and BIAOC’s Outlook event helps us keep a finger on the pulse of the construction industry in Southern California and beyond,” said Pizarro. “We are excited to take what we learned and help our clients shape strategies for future success.”
At Y Scouts, executive search is about more than filling a role. It’s about aligning leadership decisions with long-range strategy and market realities. By participating in events like the BIAOC Economic Outlook, the firm ensures that clients don’t just hire the right leader, they hire at the right time with the right context.
Y Scouts helps $25M+ companies hire purpose-aligned and performance-proven executives. Visit yscouts.com to learn more about how they help clients attract transformational leaders.
About Y Scouts
Y Scouts specializes in purpose-driven executive recruiting. They are committed to connecting organizations with leaders who are not only highly qualified but also aligned with the organization’s culture, mission, values, and core competencies.
