In our member spotlight, Tim Asimos, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with the Society. Tim, who’s chief marketing officer and principal for Timmons Group, has been in the AEC industry and an SMPS member for 20 years.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. After starting my career as a marketing manager in the AEC industry at a civil engineering firm, I spent nearly 13 years as an agency consultant for AEC firms. My six years of in-house marketing management have provided me with a unique and invaluable perspective as a consultant. It has always been my secret weapon. In September, I joined Timmons Group as chief marketing officer and am excited to bring my experience as both an advisor and consultant to dozens of AEC firms over the years. The chance to bring my journey full circle and return to the firm where I started in the AEC industry is truly amazing, and I look forward to the future.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? One of my mentors early in my career told me to embrace opportunities that come along, because every role prepares you for the next. This has proven true in my career. A lot of the time, especially early in our careers, we can place too much weight on job titles. In those foundational years, it’s more about expanding your knowledge and skills and gaining perspectives. When I look back on my resume, I don’t see a perfectly scripted career path on paper, but what I learned and how I grew in each role has perfectly prepared me for where I am today.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? I’ve always encouraged people to outgrow their job descriptions. Of course, learn your role and execute all those job duties with excellence. But don’t stop there! Continuously look for ways to add value to your team and company. Identify places you can contribute, tasks you can perform, and ideas you can bring to life that don’t necessarily fit neatly in your job description. In other words, don’t wait to be asked. Make yourself invaluable.

Why is SMPS membership important to you? I joined SMPS in my very first week in the AEC industry, and it has been an invaluable resource for professional growth, community, and knowledge sharing ever since. I’ve found SMPS to be my tribe, with so many people who share similar experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Whether it’s the local chapter programming, the regional conferences, or national events like Amplify A|E|C, SMPS provides AEC marketers a unique opportunity to learn and grow, and to feel understood and supported. Having been engaged with SMPS at many levels over the years, I can attest that there are so many people behind the scenes, in the crowds, and on stage who are passionate about elevating the profession of marketing in the AEC industry and making a difference in their firms.

What would you still like to accomplish in your career? While I’ve seen the profession evolve greatly, there’s still more work to do. I’m dedicated to transforming marketing and business development at my firm, and I’ll continue to invest in SMPS and use my voice to elevate the role of marketing in the AEC industry.

What’s on your bucket list? I’d love to see the Amalfi Coast of Italy with my wife. We’re also a theme park family, so there are several parks on the to-do list that I hope to cross off one day.

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? I love Thai food. I could eat it every day, and it’s truly a shame that I don’t!

In our member spotlight, Alexandria Ballew Monroe sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Alexandria, who’s events & marketing communications manager for San Antonio AGC, has been in the AEC industry for three years and an SMPS member for two.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. For 2025-2026, I was voted on to the SMPS San Antonio board of directors as special events director! I’m so honored to be working with so many talented industry professionals and bringing our chapter members together for exciting events.

What has been one of your most meaningful projects? In 2023, I handled the planning, marketing, and execution of the San Antonio AGC Centennial Gala, celebrating 100 years as an AGC Chapter. It was a monumental occasion that we held at the beautiful Tobin Center for the Performing Arts with over 600 guests in attendance including elected officials from the city and state. I’m so proud of that event, and it was a wonderful experience to see so many of our members come together for such an important celebration.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? The best revenge is success. My parents have always impressed this upon me. Put your energy into what you can control, not into worrying about what others think of you.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? If no one saves you a seat at the table, pull up your own chair.

Why is SMPS membership important to you? I have met so many incredible, gifted, and kind people through SMPS San Antonio. Not only has it educated me more regarding the AEC industry, but it has given me a community of like-minded professionals to grow with.

Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. In my off hours from being an events & marketing communications manager (AKA chaos coordinator), I’m also an associate artistic director for a pre-professional ballet academy. I didn’t step into my role at AGC with a background in construction. Instead, I come from a background in the arts with an M.A. in Art History and the Art Market. I think my arts education and experience has helped me be a more strategic marketer and given me creative ways to approach situations.

What’s on your bucket list? I want to explore Egypt and see the pyramids.

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Coffee! If you see me without a coffee in hand, I’m probably in dire need of emotional support.

In our member spotlight, Megan Scott, FSMPS, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Megan, who’s director of strategy at Etica Group, has been an SMPS member for 20 years and in the AEC industry for just as long.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. We recently won a small study for a new client based on an e-newsletter. It was so rewarding to know content marketing resonated with the decision-maker enough for them to reach out, meet with us for the first time, and hire us.

What has been one of your most meaningful projects? In preparation for moving our headquarters in 2022, I developed an in-depth brand awareness campaign about the growth of Etica Group over the years. It touched on the addition of services, staff size, key clients, and features of our new office. While at a non-industry event, someone knew who we were from our LinkedIn posts. It was such a great feeling.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? Do what you say you are going to do. Don’t make excuses, just get it done to the best of your ability.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? Don’t be afraid to delegate up. I don’t particularly care about hierarchy structures. If someone needs help with something, they need to ask for it. Even if that means asking your boss, or your boss’s boss; ask for help when you truly need it.

Why is SMPS membership important to you? I truly believe I would not be the professional I am today without SMPS. I was fortunate enough to have a boss when I entered the industry tell me membership, attending events, and joining a committee were requirements of the job. It helped me learn new skills, build a local, regional and Society-level network, and mold me into the person I am today. SMPS is a unicorn. The members all work to help one another learn and grow, despite being a competitor. It’s been so great to be a part of this group for 20 years now.

Which SMPS member benefits or resources have helped you? All of them! Volunteering at my local chapter helped me build a network immediately upon entering the industry. Many of those people have become friends. The CPSM program provided a major impact on my career growth. A constant for me over the years has been reading the Marketer. It always had great information in it and content I can share with a co-worker to help them understand something better.

Serving as an MCA juror has been inspirational to learn what other firms are doing, and the impact marketers have made at their firms. Learning labs (complimentary webinars for members) are a great way to get in some extra CEUs during the day.

Probably most important to me is the network I built when I served as SMPS Indiana’s president from 2013-2014. My President Leadership Symposium (PLS) class, the Conductors, still have a large group of us who stay in touch and serve as resources for one another. I love my fellow Conductors and seeing our growth and success.

How has the CPSM designation benefited you and your firm? When I heard of the CPSM program, I dove right in. I was 25 working at a small firm and the only marketing professional. Studying for the CPSM exam broadened my knowledge and skillset immensely. It helped me gain confidence to tackle projects I didn’t have experience in. I’m so thankful I invested in myself by earning my certification. Markendium, which I bought even though I already have my CPSM, is a wealth of information. It’s great to pull out as a resource for myself, or to have coworkers read certain sections. I would highly encourage anyone contemplating it to buy Markendium and start studying today.

How has becoming an SMPS Fellow changed or elevated your professional role? I’m regularly asked what my degree is in since I am a partner at Etica Group, and having credentials after my name demonstrates the value and expertise I bring. There’s more to the industry than just the regularly known technical professional suffixes, and I’m happy to help educate people about what it means to be a Fellow in SMPS. Beyond that, I have thoroughly enjoyed access to the Fellows programming and cohorts provided through SMPS and participating in technical organizations like AIA and ACE Mentors.

What would you like to accomplish as an SMPS Fellow as it relates to the Society or AEC industry? One of the letters of reference on the Fellows application is to be from someone the applicant has mentored. Many people I talk with have talked about how important a mentor was in their career growth, but not everyone has access to finding a mentor. I’ve been lucky the Indiana Chapter has had a highly successful mentorship program. As a Fellow, I would like to help take this to a larger scale. I’ve co-chaired a regional SMPS program with Cindy Culbertson, another Fellow from the Indiana chapter, these past 18 months in conjunction with SMPS Greater Cincinnati and Southeast Michigan. This has been a pilot program for how a regional mentorship group can work, and I’d like to use my role as a Fellow to help spearhead the growth of it to other regions as a model for increased participation in SMPS.

What would you still like to accomplish in your career? So many things. While I’m grateful to have made it to be a partner at my firm, I want to continue to see us grow and improve. I’m excited right now about working on our new five-year strategic plan and I am looking forward to being a part of guiding and executing the plan.

Within SMPS, I’m currently excited about finishing up as co-chair of a regional SMPS program (Indiana, Southeast Michigan and Greater Cincinnati). I’d love to continue to grow the model and possibly help take it to other regions.

Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I had an opportunity to swim in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials’ pool inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in 2024. It was so cool to not only swim inside of a football stadium, but to be sharing the water with the Olympians. A former Olympian was on the deck talking with us and taking photos. Quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

What’s on your bucket list? I think my entire bucket list is about traveling! I want to see the northern lights, go to Alaska, the Mendoza Valley of Argentina, and Antarctica.

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Chocolate.

In our member spotlight, Reagan Branham, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Reagan, who’s chief marketing officer at HERA laboratory planners, has been in the AEC industry for 14 years and an SMPS member for 12.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. I just joined the SMPS Marketer Editorial Committee. The group brainstorms article ideas for the publication and we have the first opportunity to write about topics of interest. It’s the perfect marriage of my journalism background with my knowledge of AEC marketing. (I spent 14 years working at newspapers.)

What has been one of your most meaningful projects? I just finished a year-long profile series where I interviewed co-workers with interesting hobbies or passions that enhance their professional work. External feedback through social media was extremely positive, and internally people loved reading about their coworkers and looked forward to the next profile. The series made the profiled individuals proud of their value to the firm and each article helped us all feel even more connected.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? I read Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg at a time in my career that I really needed to hear the message about women literally (and figuratively) taking a seat at the table. The message of believing in ourselves and the ideas that we bring to conversations and the decision-making process really resonated with me. Don’t relegate yourself to a chair off to the side. The other important takeaway was to find a workplace that supported me having that voice. I feel very fortunate to have found a company that encourages and values my opinion.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? Not exclusively professional, but I tell my daughter that it’s okay to not like everyone. It’s also okay that not everyone likes you. I’m a people pleaser, so the second part of that advice is challenging for me.

How has SMPS helped you, your career, and/or your firm? SMPS membership alone is not enough; you must also be involved. I’ve met so many great people through SMPS. Sometimes those connections help link me with a new job or project opportunity for my firm. Just as often the connections introduce me to a new restaurant or recipe to try. All are valuable and make for a great community.

Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I started in AEC marketing as an avenue to become an interior designer. I was a newspaper graphic designer at the time, taking interior design classes at night. A former co-worker was leaving a marketing coordinator job and thought I’d be a good fit to fill her spot. I was not terribly interested in it but hoped to get a foot in the door and work my way over to interiors. Here I am 14 years later, quite happy with my decision to stay in marketing.

What’s on your bucket list? I’m an avid traveler and have two major destinations at the top of my list: Southeast Asia and an African safari. Nothing planned for either … yet!

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Dr Pepper Zero. It’s my coffee.

In our member spotlight, Marta Dabrowski, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Marta, who’s marketing manager for WSP USA, Inc., has been in the AEC industry for 15 years and an SMPS member for 11 of them.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. Over the past year, I’ve focused on developing a new mentorship program for SMPS Connecticut, which officially launched in September 2025. Mentorship is something I’m deeply passionate about, and seeing the program come to life has been incredibly rewarding. I’m very proud of how it has evolved and the impact it’s already beginning to have within our chapter.

Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I enjoy traveling and have visited more than 30 countries. I love exploring new places and learning about different cultures.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? Embrace the power of saying “yes.” Taking on things that felt a little outside my comfort zone, like stepping into the role of SMPS Connecticut president, ended up being some of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Saying yes has opened doors I never expected and helped me grow in ways I might’ve missed otherwise.

Why is SMPS membership important to you? SMPS has been a meaningful part of my career. The connections, support, and leadership opportunities I’ve found through the community have helped shape me as an A/E/C marketer. Getting involved in committees and stepping into different leadership roles has allowed me to build new skills and meet people who’ve had a real impact on my professional journey. It’s also important to me because it gives me a chance to support others in the same way. Overall, SMPS has strengthened my abilities and the value I’m able to bring to my firm.

Which SMPS member benefits or resources have helped you? There are so many SMPS member benefits and resources that have helped me along the way. The webinars and professional development programs help me stay current with industry trends, and the MySMPS community is amazing for connecting with people and sharing ideas. I also really enjoy the conferences (such as the Northeast Regional Conference) which are always high‑energy and filled with great takeaways. Getting involved as a volunteer has been especially meaningful and has helped me expand my network.

If you’re a CPSM, how has the designation benefited you and your firm? Earning my CPSM designation meant a great deal to me. I reached a point in my career where I was ready to take on more responsibility and expand my role, so studying for the CPSM exam was a great way to push myself to fill in gaps and sharpen my skills. Earning the certification gave me a big confidence boost and the knowledge I gained through the process benefited both me and my firm.

What would you still like to accomplish in your career? I’d love to continue growing as a leader, both within my firm and in the A/E/C community. Mentorship has become such an important part of my professional life, so finding more ways to support and develop others is a big goal for me. I also want to keep expanding my skills so I’m always looking for new challenges that push me to grow. There’s still a lot I’m excited to learn and do.

What’s on your bucket list? There are plenty of places I still want to explore, and England and Scotland are at the top of the list right now. I’m hoping to finally make that trip happen this year!

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Ice cream is definitely my guilty pleasure. If I’m somewhere new, I’m absolutely hunting down a local scoop.

In our member spotlight, Jess Gillette, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Jess, who’s communications and marketing director for Associated Builders & Contractors – Virginia, has been in the AEC industry for 12 years and an SMPS member since 2015.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. Becoming SMPS Washington, DC’s 2025-2026 president! I know we may sound like a broken record about how much we love this organization, but if you allow yourself to really dive in, you’ll get it. Personally, I’d rather be on a yacht in the Maldives with a personal chef every day, but that’s not an option; I do have to work and financially support my family. So, SMPS Washington, DC is that big cheerleader that keeps you going on the days you’d rather be anywhere but work. I feel so blessed and thankful it’s my turn to give back to this community that has done so much for me over the years.

Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I like to say the only reason I do standup comedy is so I have a fun fact to share about myself when the time comes – and the time has come! I like to do open mics around the DC/MD/VA (DMV) area making people smile, laugh, and think a little bit. It’s also a great confidence booster and makes me more comfortable with public speaking.

What has been one of your most meaningful projects? A few years ago, I got involved with Sense of Tumor, a comedy showcase benefiting the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.  All comedians are cancer survivors, and all proceeds go towards arts and healing programs for cancer patients. I design the program art for the show and being a little part of helping the showcase look its best means a great deal to me.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? Like in life – know when to pick your battles. Know when to call someone out for thieving credit for your idea. Know when to point out that you told them that four days ago. By knowing the right time to put your foot down, you will gain that much more reverence.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? Nothing’s truly original, right? Except you! So I love to remind people of the Dr. Seuss quote: Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You!

Why is SMPS membership important to you? Over the past eleven years, it’s been fun to watch the reasons for SMPS membership evolve. When I first joined, it was to meet people and educate myself on the industry, and then it became about becoming an asset to the Society (volunteering, attending conferences, speaking engagements). Now it’s all about giving back: encouraging people to earn their CPSM, mentoring, leading the chapter, etc. My entire SMPS back story has been the foundation of my career success and figuring out what I want to do with my professional life.

Which SMPS member benefits or resources have helped you? It would have to be a tie between joining a committee and earning my CPSM, because both have been so beneficial to my career. You’ll start making contacts and deep connections after just a couple months of committee involvement, plus it makes it easier to learn who the big players are in your jurisdiction. See the next question for the advantages of becoming a CPSM!

How has the CPSM designation benefited you and your firm? The CPSM designation has given me more flexibility in my career, because I’ve been able to directly reference information from Markendium that has helped my companies succeed in their marketing efforts—from high-level strategy down to social media metrics. In an industry where leadership doesn’t usually have a background in marketing, it cements my credibility. It also just feels pretty dope to have letters after my name like architects and engineers do.

What would you still like to accomplish in your career? I’m a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason, and so between my love for marketing and branding, standup comedy, and empowering women, I dream this will all culminate in becoming a keynote speaker. And though I want to speak on building self-confidence and leadership as opposed to marketing, my experiences with SMPS have given me the knowledge and network to inspire me to realize that dream.

What’s on your bucket list? This summer, I have big plans to visit a friend who just moved to Lisbon. And guess what!? I met her through SMPS Washington, DC! (Or walk the red carpet at the Golden Globes. Whichever comes first.)

Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Taylor Swift. Yeah, I said it. But I wouldn’t classify it as guilty. I wear the Swiftie badge proudly. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a board that lets me get away with a subtly themed Taylor Swift Fall Kickoff: You Belong with SMPS DC.

In our member spotlight, Dorothy Verdon, CPSM, recently sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Dorothy, who’s owner of Bright Bunny Communications, has been in the A/E/C industry since 1978 and an SMPS member since 1986. In this spotlight, she shares more about her career and why SMPS membership is important to her.

Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. There are a few things that I am proud of:

• This spring a client (the International Parking & Mobility Institute) invited me to manage their entire 2026 awards program. It’s quite huge. Last year there were a total of 32 winners in the Awards of Excellence and Professional Recognition Awards programs combined in addition to two lifetime achievement award winners that I also profiled in articles.
• Other professional accomplishments this year included:
• Presenting a webinar, “Submit to Win: Strategies to Win More Awards” to SMPS Boston in February
• Presenting two “Tech Tuesday” webinars about Photoshop hacks to SMPS Philadelphia
• Serving as a judge again for SMPS HQ’s Marketing Communication Awards and SMPS Philadelphia’s MCA program
• Being a mentor to another A/E/C professional in our chapter’s formal mentoring program
• Working closely with HQ to identify issues with the member database transition and act as a beta tester
• In 2021, I received SMPS Philadelphia’s Honoring Legends award. It was a very proud moment.
• I have served on my township’s Sustainability Advisory Committee since its inception in 2020 and am currently vice chair. My biggest contribution has been as liaison with their contracted PR firm and primary writer and illustration creator and/or specifier for sustainability-focused articles in the “Committees” section of the township’s monthly e-newsletter.

What has been one of your most meaningful projects? Over the course of a 46-year career, there have been so many, especially for past employers! In the last seven years since starting Bright Bunny Communications, I would say that whatever is meaningful to my clients is equally important to me.

If we’re talking about meaningful and fun, then I’d rank very highly working on award submissions that win and get my clients the recognition they deserve for their excellent work. Designing and/or redesigning client websites is challenging but also great fun. One of my all-time favorite assignments is architectural photography and post-production, which harks back to my college major in printmaking that heavily utilized photographic methods.

It’s also a thrill when an article I write gets published, whether it’s under my byline or someone else’s when I’m the ghostwriter. When I was a consultant the first time around (1995 to 2001), I worked with the Urban Land Institute on a book called “Housing for Niche Markets” and contributed six of its 14 chapters about unique housing developments that took me to various sites around the country.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? I have always been adept at recognizing superstars and was fortunate enough to work with one of them for a short time before she transferred to another office as a result of a merger. That person was Nancy Egan, and I learned as much as I could by watching and talking to her. I was about 10 years into my career, and she was (and still is) amazing. I have crossed paths with others in the industry who were inspirational in some way, though sadly many have passed or have retired by now.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? Learn to read the writing on the wall and don’t stay in a job when it ceases to be rewarding, or worse, becomes an obvious source of consistent stress, conflict, or frustration.

Also learn as much as you can about everything that you can, to make yourself as valuable and marketable as possible, as well as to build self-confidence. Don’t be afraid to fail, because that’s how you learn and grow. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that. Fearlessness without arrogance often leads to innovation and is worthy of respect.

Being open to new opportunities for career advancement and staying current with new technologies are essential survival techniques for marketers. When I started, “state of the art” was an IBM Selectric with an integrated correcting ribbon and “cut and paste” involved scissors and glue!. Now I’m using AI, have designed and edited websites, and use various Adobe Creative Cloud programs daily.

Why is SMPS membership important to you and how has it helped you over the years? In 1995 I left the Philly area and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and started my first consulting practice. I’ll never forget my first SMPS meeting there, where I forged solid friendships and immediately found opportunities to volunteer. A couple years later, I was president of SMPS San Francisco. We were one of the first chapters to have a website, which I worked on with our pro bono consultant. When I moved to Orange County, I joined the board of SMPS Los Angeles. A year and a half later I moved to Alexandria, VA, and was on the board of SMPS Washington, DC.

Three years later, I relocated to southeast Florida and was a special advisor to that chapter’s board. Finally, in 2006 I moved back to the Philly area and stayed put. The greatest value I have derived from the sum of my SMPS experiences is in the relationships that resulted. Whether lifelong or situational, they have all been valuable, each in their own way.

How has obtaining your CPSM designation helped you and/or your firm? I was so proud to attain certification in April 2001 and by then I’d been in the industry for more than 20 years. Honestly, I didn’t even study for the test because I figured if I couldn’t pass it with all that experience, then maybe I should find a new career! The good news: I passed the first time around. I believe there were two jobs that I applied for in the past (and was hired) that indicated their preference for a certified professional services marketer. At this point in my career, it doesn’t have as much significance because of my level of industry experience.

You’re actively involved in SMPS. What made you decide to volunteer and what have you learned that could help other professionals? In both my private and professional lives, I have found that volunteering is rewarding in so many ways. The quid pro quo is off the scale: the target entity benefits from the volunteer’s efforts, while enabling the volunteer to establish credibility, acquire new knowledge and/or skills, and gain access to leaders and decision-makers.

If someone is on the fence about volunteering, what would you say to convince them? Direct involvement as a volunteer opens doors that you don’t even know exist and cannot possibly foresee. Even if you are 100% in-house, as a marketer representing your firm, you owe it to yourself and them to get out there and build strong relationships. This happens much more consequentially when you’re on a committee or board than in the five or ten minutes you might spend networking at an event. Though that also has value, these interactions are short compared to prolonged teamwork focused on achieving common goals.

What would you still like to accomplish in your career? After more than four decades in the A/E/C industry, I am finally done with climbing the proverbial career ladder! I love being a task-driven consultant and see no end in sight, often joking that I will likely die at my desk.  What gets me out of bed each morning is the prospect of learning new things that will enhance the services I provide to clients and make me more effective and efficient in doing so.

What’s on your bucket list? There are still a few things left, although I’ve somehow managed to accomplish most of the high-priority items. A Smithsonian Journeys small ship voyage from Glasgow, Scotland, to Bergen, Norway; being a contestant on Wheel of Fortune; visiting the Galapagos Islands; meeting Stephen King; seeing Stonehenge; volunteering at the regional House Rabbit Society shelter; ziplining; and scuba diving one last time.

For our member spotlight, Vanessa Yust, FSMPS, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with us to share what it means to be an SMPS Fellow. Vanessa is CMO at DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors.

Could you please share what it means to you to become an SMPS Fellow? I remember my first day in the A/E/C industry like it was yesterday, walking into a small architecture firm in San Francisco, handed an RFP I didn’t understand and a name I didn’t recognize: the local SMPS chapter president. That phone call was my first introduction to SMPS, and it changed the trajectory of my career. Within weeks, I found myself at a chapter luncheon, completely new to the industry but already welcomed like I belonged.

Since then, SMPS has been more than a professional resource, it’s been the foundation of my career and the reason I stayed in this field. Becoming a Fellow is deeply personal. It represents the culmination of nearly two decades of growth, community, mentorship, and leadership—but more importantly, it’s a commitment to keep giving back. This honor marks not just what I’ve done, but how I’ll continue to serve: by uplifting others, amplifying our profession’s value, and creating space for more marketers to thrive in this industry.

How do you see this designation changing or elevating your professional role? As the first chief marketing officer at my firm and a member of our executive leadership team, I already advocate for the strategic value of marketing at the highest levels of decision-making. But this designation adds weight to that voice, not just within my own organization, but across the industry. It’s an acknowledgment that marketing professionals can, and should, be at the forefront of business transformation.

I’m also fortunate to work at a firm that recognizes this honor on equal footing with the technical distinction of being named an AIA Fellow. That level of parity is powerful. It reinforces that leadership in marketing and business development is just as vital to a firm’s success as design excellence. This validation strengthens my ability to influence firmwide strategy and mentor others on a path to executive leadership.

This recognition will help me continue shifting perceptions around what marketing leaders bring to the table—from revenue strategy and client experience to equity and brand innovation. It also gives me a greater opportunity to connect intentionally with senior peers and emerging professionals alike, helping others see what’s possible when we bring creativity, data, and purpose together in our work.

What would you like to accomplish as an SMPS Fellow as it relates to the Society or A/E/C industry? I have four clear priorities as a Fellow. First, I want to support the SMPS Foundation by shaping and promoting research that speaks to the future of our field, such as AI-driven business development, the evolving role of CMOs, and market expansion strategies. Second, I want to be a consistent and visible mentor at the chapter level. SMPS San Francisco is one of the largest chapters in the Society, yet we have relatively few Fellows. I want to change that by staying accessible and involved, particularly for those who are just finding their voice and footing. Third, I hope to foster a stronger peer community for senior marketing professionals.

Too often, once we reach executive roles, we lack structured spaces to continue learning from each other. I want to change that—creating opportunities for collaboration and support among those navigating the complexities of leadership. And finally, I want to elevate my firm and my team. Being a Fellow gives me a broader platform to forge national connections, support our market growth, and inspire bold thinking internally. I believe that the ripple effects of this recognition can stretch far beyond my career, to my firm, my team, and the clients and communities we serve.

How would you like to be a resource to SMPS members? Mentorship has been a throughline in my SMPS journey—from the moment I joined Mentoring Pathways as a new coordinator to now, where I coach and guide others through their own growth. Whether it’s helping someone prepare for CPSM certification, navigate a career transition, or step into their first leadership role, I find deep fulfillment in offering both encouragement and strategy.

I also bring the lens of a trained executive coach, which allows me to support professionals in aligning their values with their decisions and discovering new strengths. My goal is to meet people where they are, help them identify what’s possible, and provide the tools and confidence they need to get there.

Beyond one-on-one mentoring, I want to continue creating environments for learning and connection, whether through study groups, leadership forums, or speaking at SMPS events. We grow fastest and strongest when we learn from each other, and I’m excited to keep creating space for those conversations.

Any final thoughts? This distinction is not the end of something—it’s the beginning of a new chapter in how I serve. My path in this industry hasn’t always been easy. I’ve been the only woman in the room, had to learn how to negotiate my worth, and faced challenges that pushed me to the edge. But I also had SMPS. I had mentors, peers, and programs that gave me the confidence to keep going and the skills to keep growing.

Now, I want to be that steady source of support for others. I want to help more marketers see that there is space for them at the table—that they can lead, influence, and thrive. Becoming a Fellow allows me to do that with greater visibility and impact. I’m ready to keep learning, keep mentoring, and keep shaping the future of this profession that has given me so much.

For our member spotlight, Bridget Kraus, FSMPS, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with us to share what it means to be an SMPS Fellow. Bridget is vice president of marketing at Walbec Group.

Could you please share what it means to you to become an SMPS Fellow? Becoming an SMPS Fellow is a profound honor and a defining milestone in my professional journey. It represents more than a title—it reflects decades of dedication, persistence, and passion for marketing in the A/E/C industry.

Throughout our careers, we often find ourselves head down, plugging away, focused on the day-to-day work—building strategies, mentoring teams, solving problems, delivering results. It’s easy to lose track of the bigger picture. Then one day, you look up, and decades have passed. After going through the SMPS Fellow application, I realized how far I’ve come.

This recognition as an SMPS Fellow is a moment to pause and reflect on that journey. It’s a celebration of cumulative efforts: the long hours, the continuous learning, the commitment to elevating our discipline, and the relentless push to make marketing a strategic force within our organizations.

It affirms not only what I’ve done but why I’ve done it—to advance an organization, elevate my knowledge, grow our profession, contribute to a community, or empower others to grow. I see this fellowship not as a finish line but as a new beginning—a platform to give back even more meaningfully to the SMPS network and the next generation of leaders. Becoming an SMPS Fellow is a career highlight for me!

How do you see this designation changing or elevating your professional role? An SMPS Fellowship designation elevates my role as a strategic leader and advocate for marketing within the A/E/C industry. It positions me to influence at a higher level, championing marketing’s role in driving business strategy and growth within my organization, the industry, the Society, and SMPS Wisconsin.

This recognition also deepens my commitment to mentoring others and advancing our profession. It strengthens my platform to lead with purpose, share insights, and help shape the future of A/E/C marketing with intention and impact.

What would you like to accomplish as an SMPS Fellow as it relates to the Society or A/E/C industry? As an SMPS Fellow, I aim to stay actively engaged with both the Society and our local chapter, championing the visibility of SMPS and advocating for the critical role marketing professionals play in driving business success and shaping the future of the A/E/C industry.

How would you like to be a resource to SMPS members? SMPS is an incredible network of talented A/E/C marketing and business development professionals. I’m always open to making new connections—whether it’s to collaborate, exchange ideas, or mentor the next generation of leaders.

The A/E/C world is smaller than we think, and it’s a great feeling to connect others, whether within my organization or across the industry, through the power of a strong network. Let’s connect!

Any final thoughts? Get involved with SMPS and start building your network! Your professional network often becomes part of your personal circle, creating lasting relationships beyond the office. Ultimately, life is about meaningful connections and the people you surround yourself with. Invest in those relationships. They matter.