Hamzah Shanbari, Haskell and Dysruptek Director of Innovation, was named Groundbreaker of the year at Procore’s Groundbreak 2025 event in Houston, and StillGuard, the wellness pod he spearheaded, was the star of the show.
During the annual conference, which attracts global construction and technology professionals to share solutions shaping the future of the built environment, Shanbari was selected from a group of notable finalists that included Cliff Kaehler, CEO & Founder of Novel Energy Solutions, and Les Hiscoe, CEO of Shawmut Design & Construction. The award honors individuals who drive measurable progress through collaboration and innovation that improves the lives of construction professionals.
Abigail Paris, R&D Analyst for Dysruptek, Haskell’s innovation and venture capital arm, joined him to exhibit the second-generation prototype of StillGuard, a sensory booth designed to help field professionals decompress and manage stress on job sites, and support Procore’s Get Construction Talking campaign, a global initiative promoting mental health awareness in construction.
The interactive display invited attendees to learn about mental health challenges, make personal pledges to support their well-being and experience StillGuard firsthand. Procore CEO Tooey Courtemanche visited the display, reflecting industry innovation needs to prioritize safety, empathy and human connection.
“I’m really glad we’re talking about this,” Courtemanche said. “[StillGuard] is probably the most important part of this conference.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the construction industry’s suicide rate is among the nation’s highest. In 2022, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) found that construction workers are five times more likely to die by suicide than from a jobsite accident.
Procore’s Get Construction Talking campaign has raised more than $600,000 globally for mental health organizations, including the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), Mates in Construction and the Lighthouse Charity. Dysruptek, partnering with The Castano Group and Memory, developed StillGuard to bring a tangible solution that extends beyond awareness.
For Haskell and Dysruptek, the Groundbreaker Award affirms a company-wide commitment to advancing ideas that address critical industry needs.
“StillGuard shows how innovation can make a personal difference,” Shanbari said. “We received some incredible feedback on our latest prototype, and we hope to keep the conversation going. We have an opportunity and responsibility to leverage technology and innovation to support the people who build our world.”
Through Dysruptek, Haskell leads the construction industry in technological development and adoption. Contact the Dysruptek team to discuss your idea for the betterment of the industry.
