This time last year, I wrote about how reading can open our minds to new ideas. But if we only read what we’re accustomed to, we can’t continue to evolve. And, for me, evolving as a person keeps me going and growing.

Recently, I came across an article titled “100 Best Books of All Time”—featuring my favorite author Zora Neale Hurston and others I’m putting on my list. Most of the books are fiction, leaving room for nonfiction in my never-ending goal of lifelong learning.

At the end of the day, we can’t forget that, as professionals, we’re here to help our firms thrive. And we can do that by staying knowledgeable—and passing on our knowledge to the team.

Here are a few SMPS publications that can help, some of which are complimentary to SMPS members:

• June/July issue of Marketer: This exclusive edition features articles such as “Perfect Your Proposal Planning” and “Putting the Thought in Thought Leadership” (for SMPS members only and available on MySMPS under the Marketing Resource Center)
• SMPS Foundation report all about positioning and differentiation in A/E/C marketing (complimentary to SMPS members)
• Blueprints 3.0, your resource to elevate marketing and business development
• Markendium, the SMPS Body of Knowledge, with six books on proposals to client development

Alice Walker once said, “I think the foundation of everything in my life is wonder.” To me, that means appreciating the spontaneity of life, to always be questioning, and to be open to learning something new. What do you think it means? And are there any publications I should put on my list? Let me know by reaching out at marci@smps.org.

Article written by Marci D. Thompson, DES, chief strategy officer for SMPS.

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If you want to learn more about the value of your membership and how to make the most of it, please contact a member of the membership team.

In 2010 when I started at Purdy-McGuire (PMI), I had been an HR director for a prominent general contractor in the Dallas area. The job at PMI was supposed to be a temporary thing while I waited out the 2008–2009 economic crisis. As receptionist, I remember receiving calls for the marketing department, to which I responded, “We don’t have a marketing department!” I quickly learned that we did have a marketing function, though there was no marketing department per se. There were, however, two ladies who worked closely with PMI leadership to prepare proposal letters and RFQ responses. It was all very foreign to me.

Looking back, I had no aspirations of working in marketing. I still had hopes of landing a position in Human Resources. Ultimately, I agreed to take on a role at PMI that included preparing proposal letters and RFQ responses. I was also gently volun-told to join SMPS. So, I did and immediately joined a committee.

My world began to change.

I started to understand that God had seasoned my natural people skills and my love for serving others with technical knowledge and ground-floor experience that evolved into a full-fledged career. (I’m so glad He’s a lot smarter than I am.) It was a life-changing transition. Plus, Purdy-McGuire gave me space to blossom and apply what I was learning through my involvement in SMPS.

Now here I am, 12 years later, facing another life-changing transition: retirement.

At the end of 2022, I will gracefully exit the 8-to-5 work world and transition into a different and exciting phase of my life. What a sweet ride it has been. But I look forward to giving my brain more creative space and am in love with the idea that I will have time to pursue my creative dreams.

I’ve only been an SMPS member for about a decade. During this time, I’ve gained immeasurable knowledge, experience, and confidence. I learned what it means to market professional services in the A/E/C industries and developed a passion for it. I will miss serving clients on behalf of Purdy-McGuire, a firm that has been like family for me from the very first day. And, oh! The friends I’ve made! So many people I’ve met during my journey have not just taught me, but truly touched me.

My mom would always say, “Don’t say goodbye, say ‘farewell’ or ‘so long’!” Goodbye feels so permanent. So, I say farewell to the many colleagues and friends who took the time to teach me, talk to me, listen to me, serve with me, like me, and even love me. My life is richer because of you.

No matter where life takes me next, I know that “I Will Always Be a Marketer.”

Article written by Ruth Hunter-Hill.

In our member spotlight, Julie Witecki, CPSM, chats with SMPS. Julie is senior strategy consultant for FMI Corporation. She has been in the A/E/C industries since 2005 and an SMPS member since 2007. In this spotlight, Julie shares the rewards of her career and the benefits of being an SMPS member.

How did you decide to have a career in the A/E/C industries? It came to me by chance. With a degree in secondary education, my plan was to be a teacher, but it wasn’t a match for me. After college, I took a job at a conference center hotel in the events department, where I discovered a talent for sales. I developed a working relationship with the hotel owner, who brought me onto his development team where I served as the director of sales and marketing. I worked closely with the architect and contractor on a mixed-use project that required market intelligence to inform design. Long story short, I was hired by the contractor to lead business development efforts for their Colorado division. I fell in love with all aspects of the built environment and have never looked back or contemplated working in any other industry.

How would you describe your role/job? I support my clients in creating growth strategies, leveraging my years of experience in developing markets, expanding geographies, and adding service offerings.

What’s your favorite part of the job?  I’m happiest when I’m in the room with my clients, working to discover ways to grow their business. I love the “aha moments.”

What have been the rewards of your career? Some of the greatest rewards of my career have come from the growth and development of others.

What has been your most meaningful project? The most meaningful projects are the ones where I learn.

Why is membership in SMPS important to you and how has it helped you to advance your firm and your career? SMPS orients me. It’s a center point from where I can anchor relationships and build a reputation. SMPS has also been my rock of knowledge. Getting my MBA at the age of 40 was easier because of what I learned through SMPS’ Domains of Practice for Professional Services Marketing. SMPS has served as my source of truth for growing marketing and business development staff.  Their publication Blueprints, for example, is the guidebook for the skills, attributes, and competencies needed to build a department of marketing professionals.

What has contributed to your success? Years ago, I discovered Angela Duckworth’s definition of grit: the power of passion and perseverance. Moving through challenging phases of my life, both personal and professional, has revealed grit to be my driving force.

What’s the best advice you’ve received regarding your career or working in A/E/C? Be curious. Ask questions.

What’s the best career advice you’ve given? Be curious. Ask questions.

What’s on your bucket list? I keep my eyes open for opportunities to enjoy life – it’s an entrepreneurial bucket.

Guilty pleasure: What can you not live without? There’s no guilt here … I can’t live without the love and support of my family and friends. I take time to nurture the love I have for them and to feel the love they have for me.

In our member spotlight, Angie Cole, MBA, takes time out of her busy day to chat with SMPS. Angie is director of marketing and business development for Lorentz Bruun Construction. She has been a member of SMPS for seven years and is also a past-president of SMPS Oregon. In this spotlight, Angie shares the rewards of her career and the benefits of being an SMPS member.

How did you decide to have a career in the A/E/C industries? Like many others, I never really decided or planned this career. When I moved to Oregon, unsure what direction to go professionally, I met a friend and mentor who was an A/E/C marketing manager. She believed my personality and experience—change management for a multifamily developer—would be a good fit. She introduced me to SMPS Oregon and helped me find a position and hone my marketing skills. Seven years later, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

How would you describe your role/job? I’m a change agent for a sustainable transformation to ensure that my 75-year-old construction firm remains relevant and effective for another 75 years. With every marketing initiative my team undertakes, I like to ask “Why?” and “What’s the impact?” Sometimes it feels like we’re doing things to check a box, but marketing can be so much more powerful if we take time up front to understand the answers to these questions.

What’s your favorite part of the job? I really enjoy business development—I’ve always been described as a social butterfly and love meeting new people and making friends. Learning to connect with people on different levels helps me become a more effective marketer as I learn what others are doing and how I can change and grow professionally and personally.

What have been the challenges and rewards of your career? I work hard to move things forward and lead the charge when it comes to change, yet I’m always looking back to see how I could have done things differently. I believe that’s my biggest challenge. But that also presents one of the greatest rewards—taking lessons learned and applying them to future decisions.

What’s been your most meaningful project? My most meaningful project was my first at Lorentz Bruun Construction. One of my SMPS friends who works for an architecture firm asked if we wanted to partner on what would be my first design-build project. This helped me learn how to closely collaborate with marketers from other firms. It was my first big win at my current firm and helped set a very high bar not only for me, but also the value my position brings. Finally, construction began about a week into the pandemic. It was energizing to work as a team and think outside the box to plan a virtual groundbreaking and market the project.

Why is membership in SMPS important to you and how has it helped you to advance your firm and your career? One of the reasons I was offered my current position was because of SMPS. The president of my company was once a member and involved in SMPS Oregon. When I interviewed, I’d just found out I was nominated as president-elect. SMPS has been a major asset in helping me learn the trade and provided a support system for ideas and friendships. I feel fortunate to have met so many great friends and mentors through SMPS.

What has contributed to your success? As someone who grew up on the East Coast, I’m very straightforward and direct. I think this has helped open a lot of doors for me, because being direct gets you an immediate read on whether two personalities are a good fit for working together.

What advice would you give someone about to enter marketing or business development? Take the time to learn everything you can from your co-workers, peers, and SMPS, and make a point to build friendships, not just connections. My whole career has been shaped by friends and mentors. When you find those people, allow those relationships to grow. It will help you thrive in the long run.

What’s the best advice you’ve received regarding your career or working in A/E/C? “Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.” In my first job out of college, during my first review with my boss, we started to discuss salary. I remember my palms getting sweaty and my heart racing. He told me that in the professional world you can’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve. That conversation has always given me confidence to ask for the things I need, even if it takes me out of my comfort zone.

What’s the best career advice you’ve given? “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, so find three things that will make you happy in a new position and re-evaluate them once every few years.” Before moving to my current company, I realized I needed to find a place that provided me with those three important. I review that list every year and adjust it accordingly, but it helps me realize what I need to do my job effectively.

What’s on your bucket list? Australia. In elementary school (okay, I’m dating myself now but …) in computer class we had to learn to book a trip anywhere in the world, and I chose Australia. I had to build a full itinerary and deep down I still want to check off each of those things from that itinerary.

Guilty pleasure: What can you not live without? My phone. I know this sounds bad, but my phone has always made me feel connected to my friends and family and that no matter where I am or how far, I still know what’s going on with them.

In our member spotlight, Damion Morris, CPSM, takes time out of his busy day to chat with SMPS. Damion is marketing manager for PCL Construction and has been a member of SMPS for seven years. In this spotlight, Damion shares the rewards of his career and the benefits of being an SMPS member.

How did you decide to have a career in the A/E/C industries? Initially, I stumbled into A/E/C when I learned of a marketing manager position with an architecture firm. I had attended a pre-engineering high school and once considered becoming an architect, so it was an attractive opportunity.

Marketing in the A/E/C industries is very different from the product or consumer marketing they teach in school. Instead of a tangible widget, we’re marketing hopes, dreams, and promises. I didn’t quite know how to do that at the time, but as Richard Branson so eloquently said, “When someone gives you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes—then learn how to do it later.”

How would you describe your role/job? A company’s survival and success hinge on being able to profitably serve its clients’ needs better than its competitors. As a marketer in this space, my job is to serve as a bridge between my organization and the client, and as the linchpin of knowledge for this relationship. I need to understand the clients’ wants, needs, and hot-button issues so I can help mobilize and motivate the organization’s leadership to serve our customers better.

What’s your favorite part of the job? I consider myself a developer of people; I’m often called upon to act as a coach, cheerleader, or even therapist for my team. Whether the task at hand is to build a high-caliber and cross-functional marketing team or prepare an interview team, I love fanning the ember of genius in everyone and helping them to become their best selves.

What have been the challenges and rewards of your career? I’m of the belief that challenges usually relate back to personal development. By far, my biggest challenge has been growing into the person I needed to be to step into the seat that I have. I’ve had to work on myself—a lot. You don’t just wake up one day and you’re suddenly the person you hope to be. You must practice who you want to be and that can be hard. I knew how to market, but I quickly learned that being a marketing whiz wouldn’t be enough to be successful. I had to learn the business and the industry because if I were to speak as a marketer, the message will fall flat.

For the greatest rewards, I refer back to my working relationships and the times I helped others bring out the best in themselves. One moment that stands out recently was prepping the team for a project interview. Since many people aren’t comfortable with public speaking, it started out as an exercise in putting kittens back into the box and staying on task. We worked hard, and, over the course of the week, I watched my team’s confidence grow. They knocked it out of the park! I couldn’t have been prouder.

What has been your most meaningful project? I believe wholeheartedly that I am my most meaningful project. Human beings will live up to who they believe they are, and I’m always pushing myself to see how much of my latent potential I can turn into something real and meaningful. Not just for me, but for my family and community. I’ll never be done growing, and I’ll never get to the bottom of my aspiration list, but I’m climbing this mountain for the journey, not the view. It’s a simple truth that when you live your best self, you live your best life. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Why is membership in SMPS important to you and how has it helped you to advance your firm and your career? Membership in SMPS has provided me the opportunity to develop myself as a leader. After joining SMPS Los Angeles in 2014, I served on the special events committee and later took on a board position as treasurer. From there, I was nominated president. I just completed my five-year commitment.

My involvement in SMPS positioned me to connect with and learn from some of the best in the business, and it also brought me to PCL. I had approached one of our past presidents about providing a reference for a position I was applying to. She agreed, then called a few days later to offer me a job with PCL. That’s the power of the SMPS network.

What has contributed to your success? My internal drive for success is a key factor, but I’ve also been very fortunate to work with some great mentors over the years. I’ve also worked exclusively for primes in the industry, which for me has been a key differentiator. It’s given me a broader perspective of the game and how the industry works.

What advice would you give someone about to enter marketing or business development? I would caution against taking on a hybrid role. Marketing and business development are two very different jobs, and it’s hard to be exceptional at both. I’m a big believer that you should select and strive to be the best at whatever you do.

What’s the best advice you’ve received regarding your career or working in A/E/C? Your career is your responsibility, so take it by the reins. A large part of that is building and maintaining your network. This is a relatively small industry and you should lean on your network for intel and learn from those who are further ahead than you.

What’s the best career advice you’ve given? Don’t adopt someone else’s narrative as your own. Take the cards you’ve been dealt and figure out a way to make magic with them. What you believe will come true, and success will directly correlate to self-work.

What’s on your bucket list? Travel. I am a student of philosophy and I’m particularly interested in the work of the Stoics, who believed on focusing on things that are under your control. Greece is the birthplace of Stoicism and is otherwise steeped in history and mythology, so I’ll start there.

Guilty pleasure: What can you not live without? I love comfort. I work hard partially so I can live by a “treat yo’ self” mentality. I couldn’t choose just one creature comfort, so I would say all of them as a whole.

In our member spotlight, Kim Pipkin takes time out of her busy day to chat with SMPS. Kim is founder/principal of Black Kite Consulting and president-elect of SMPS San Francisco, and sits on the SMPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. In this spotlight, Kim shares the rewards of her career and the benefits of being an SMPS member.

How did you decide to have a career in the A/E/C industries? I wanted to be an architect and attended UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design Graduate program. However, I decided instead to focus on marketing and business development. This was due to having worked closely with a design firm principal (prior to grad school) who mentored me in marketing and client relations. I realized I preferred business, money, strategy, negotiations, competition, and working with people. Sitting at the drafting table wasn’t for me.

How would you describe your role/job? I’ve been in every position possible, from a marketing assistant to the director.

What’s your favorite part of the job? Strategic business and pursuit planning are my ministry. I especially love client retention and development because it involves engagement with people from all walks of life. I was born for selling in all its facets.

What have been the challenges and rewards of your career? When I started my career, I was one of two Black women (my boss Gwen Powell Todd and me) doing marketing and business development. I had to overachieve and work harder to be taken seriously … despite my successes. I had two advanced degrees, and was most often one of the smartest people in the room. However, I was compensated the least and considered overhead even though my contributions were a priority. Frequently, I felt voiceless and expendable.

Another challenge is working for firms that don’t value marketing and treat it as a support function. It’s difficult to do your best when marketing isn’t funded properly or needed resources are overlooked.

Despite the challenges, the rewards of my career are many. I’ve been able to make a good living, hone specific skills, develop new interests, and establish an amazing network of like-minded colleagues and many personal friends. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my career has been the ability to mentor, coach, and advocate for those entering the profession.

What has been your most meaningful project? It’s true that I feel a degree of pride seeing certain projects I’ve pursued be designed and ultimately, built. That said, identifying new opportunities and clients are what matter most to me because it involves strategy, partnerships, collaboration, focus, and bit of magical thinking. Meaningfulness for me is human-centered. Additionally, I’ve worked for several small, local, women and minority-owned firms. Stewarding these organizations and positioning them to win new work and compete with larger firms is priceless.

Why is membership in SMPS important to you and how has it helped you to advance your firm and your career? I began my career years ago as a marketing assistant at a blue chip architecture firm in San Francisco. I learned about SMPS through a new career opportunity to become a marketing coordinator. My boss Gwen was president of SMPS San Francisco, so I helped with a range of SMPS activities, including setting up events, making follow-up calls, and preparing and sending out documents.

I’m here today, 25 years later, crediting SMPS with my career journey. I’m putting a bow on things by becoming president-elect of SMPS San Francisco in September 2021.

What has contributed to your success? Contributions to my success include having a great education, personal drive, and the opportunity to work at a variety of firms across all disciplines. It’s always been about learning for me. I’m grateful for having a few key mentors (and some adversaries) who ignited my career and helped shape my character.

What advice would you give someone about to enter marketing or business development? Be bold. Take risks. Do everything. Raise your hand. Focus. Gain clarity. Roll up your sleeves. Speak out. Push yourself. Know your worth. Ask for help. Bring someone along. Discover your passion. Take on leadership roles. Seek out mentors and coaches. Be of service to others.

What’s the best advice you’ve received regarding your career or working in A/E/C? The advice I’ve received hasn’t been verbal but through the action of others. My top four are: Don’t worry about making mistakes, because the value of what you learn is immeasurable. Chase purpose, not money by being exemplary in everything you do. Stand your ground on the things you know are right. You belong in the room where important conversations happen.

What’s the best career advice you’ve given? Believe in yourself and surround yourself with the best and brightest people possible. Establish lofty goals and make them happen.

What’s on your bucket list? Redeem the airline ticket to Canada that I couldn’t use due to COVID-19 (Quebec City).  Travel to Japan. Become a real estate investor and philanthropist. Own a nice property with a beautiful home designed by me with an amazing garden. Get a Ph.D or Ed.D and become a multi-millionaire by the age of 70.

Guilty pleasure: What can you not live without?

• Amazing bed linens. I love high-quality sheets. I don’t, however, like a bunch of decorative pillows, shams, and frilly bed skirts.
• Bath/shower with high water pressure.
• Beautiful, well-made clothes and shoes.
• Giant sticky notes for scribing and colored markers
• My fancy journal, books, podcasts, audiobooks, and music.
• The ability to cook fresh food and share it with others.
• My labradoodle and daughter.

In the fall of 1967, I was bussed from the projects in Gary, IN, to a better (all-white) school several miles away in the suburbs. I was devastated—and afraid. I’d seen news reports of how we weren’t wanted and what happened to some of those students. Then my mom qualified for low-income housing near the school. When we moved to a home closer to the new school, for-sale signs started going up all around us.

In 1969, I began high school. Though the school had been integrated for a couple of years, the cheerleading squad still consisted of all blondes and had been chosen by an elderly, white English teacher for years. Several of us wanted to be cheerleaders but didn’t see how we’d ever have a chance given the current selection method. So we protested for more diversity in the cheer squads and were successful. We also requested that the English teacher be replaced by representatives of the student body and the gym teacher. That year for the first time, the school had Blacks on the cheer squads—three on varsity and two on junior varsity. This real integration had an impact on everyone in the school. We were proud and gratified, knowing that we’d been heard and were being a catalyst for change. I graduated in 1973 with friends of many backgrounds and ethnicities.

These and many other experiences encouraged me to seek a life with diverse environments for work and play for me and my son. They taught me, that no matter what, to be true to myself. They taught me that I shouldn’t limit my dreams, to make and honor commitments, and that there’s no substitute for hard work.

As a new SMPS member, I was also new to marketing and the A/E/C industries. I started serving on a committee right away and made connections I still treasure after nearly 10 years. However, there’s a but. After serving on the SMPS Dallas board and attending countless events and regional conferences, I realized I’d changed in ways that SMPS had not. I was accustomed to the vanilla-ness of the A/E/C industries. In fact, I was accustomed to being the only dot of diversity in many settings throughout my career. This lack of diversity suddenly felt very personal. I retreated into my introvertive self, having grown weary of industry events where I encountered few people who looked like me. Being 60+ and Black in the A/E/C industries—and in SMPS—felt lonely. The alone-ness I felt was despite the many friends and acquaintances I have in SMPS Dallas and SMPS Fort Worth.

The tragic and senseless events that surfaced in 2020 were shocking and disheartening and ripped the scab off the wound that is racism in America. I sobbed for America and my existence in it, feeling like I was back in the 60s and 70s, only with a much better understanding of what was happening around me and why. In short order, especially after May 25, 2020, my inbox was crowded with statements from many firms and organizations taking a stand against violence and affirming that they will not tolerate racism. To me, the initial SMPS response was lukewarm, but I was happy to learn of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force that was formed shortly thereafter. It’s reassuring to know that the organization to which I’ve given and received so much is taking steps to be part of the solution.

Diversity can’t be achieved without opportunity in the workplace or in life, so the issue of “privilege” will hopefully be a bigger part of the DEI conversation. My professional and personal experiences have taught me that privilege in itself isn’t a bad thing.  However, it becomes a negative force when used selfishly and territorially because it provides opportunity only to a select few. It also reinforces the barriers (real or perceived) preventing opportunities for others.

I recently discussed the topic of privilege with a long-time friend who, by sharing her privilege, opened doors by referring me to interview for a position… My friend said she referred me because she knew my work ethic. She knew my character. She knew me.

My life experiences have taught me that we can have a diverse world, and that from whom much is given, much is required and, indeed, expected.  Having been blessed with an abundant life that includes a sweet career, it’s my responsibility to share my knowledge and experiences with my colleagues, and to glean all I can from them. And as I lean into the autumn of my career, it will be my privilege to watch those who come after me work in an A/E/C environment that’s more reflective of the world in which we live.

Article written by Ruth Hunter-Hill, marketing manager for Purdy-McGuire. Ruth can be reached at RHunter-Hill@Purdy-McGuire.com.

In our member spotlight, Thy Daniels takes time out of her busy day to chat with SMPS. Thy is senior proposal coordinator for Bora Architecture & Interiors and has been a member of SMPS for seven years. She sits on the SMPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and is the SMPS Oregon director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In this spotlight, Thy shares the rewards of her career and the benefits of being an SMPS member.

How did you decide to have a career in the A/E/C industries? I’ve always joked that no one ever says, “I want to be an A/E/C marketer,” but somehow you just fall into it. I’ve always been interested in architecture and design, but after an internship, I decided that wasn’t the exact career path for me. Being a marketer in the built industry allows me to be integrated in the design process, while being able to utilize my passion for marketing and communications.

How would you describe your role/job? My role is to bring together pursuit and project teams to develop a winning strategy for getting new work. I’d also describe my role as a project manager of all things, including pursuits, interviews, processes, events, and so much more.

What’s your favorite part of the job? My favorite part of my job is the collaboration with colleagues and others in the built industry. Lately, we’ve been having a lot of discussions on how to bring authentic equity and inclusion into the design process that moves beyond just checking a box.

What have been the challenges and rewards of your career? The biggest challenge in my career has been the lack of diversity in our industry. There aren’t a lot of people who look like me or have shared experiences. The most rewarding part is seeing a lot more candid conversations about this issue and how we as an industry can come together to drive change.

What has been your most meaningful project? The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was with my ElevateHer^TM Cohort team members. We spent most of 2020 not only navigating the pandemic and social justice movements, but also focusing on how to help our industries become better through an accountability-focused index.

Inspired by LEED, DRIVE is a points-based index to measure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at both quantitative and qualitative levels. Through indicators and metrics at the project, stakeholder, and community levels, DRIVE will lead to higher-quality projects that better serve the community. With an end goal of becoming an owner-required metric on projects, DRIVE can be used to raise public awareness of DEI issues, and ultimately increase diversity at the design team level. More important, DRIVE will ensure inclusivity for project end-users at every level of the community

Why is membership in SMPS important to you? When I first started in the A/E/C industries, SMPS really helped me grow my network and connect with so many seasoned professionals who’ve helped shape my career. These connections have grown into a little community and also some of my closest friends.

How has membership in SMPS helped you to advance your firm and your career? SMPS has provided a lot of wonderful educational opportunities I wouldn’t have gained otherwise and pushed me to continue to learn and grow in my career.

What’s contributed to your success? The connections and knowledge of my amazing network!

What advice would you give to someone about to enter marketing or business development? Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to network and meet people. It may seem scary and daunting at first, but A/E/C is all about connections and conversations.

What’s the best advice you’ve received regarding your career or working in A/E/C? Always fight for a seat at the table by bringing solutions. And once you’ve won a seat at the table, help bring someone to the next open seat.

What’s the best career advice you’ve given? Find a place to work that aligns with your beliefs, values, and passions—everything else will work itself out.

What’s on your bucket list? Presenting at Pacific Regional Conference (PRC) or Build Business about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

A few years ago, I attended a college fair at a hotel near the San Francisco International Airport. The colleges in the exhibition hall were showcasing performing arts programs. I decided to check out a booth for a school based in London. Looking at the glossy admissions collaterals with photos of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, I asked the representative where exactly was the school located. They said, “It’s in London.” After a few awkward seconds passed, I asked again about the location. Their reply was: “Have you been to London?” I confirmed that yes, I had been to London several times, realizing full well that they didn’t believe me. When they finally answered the question, my comeback was, “Oh, you mean the school is near the Old Royal Naval College, which is a few yards from the Cutty Sark and a short uphill walk to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.”

I will never forget this exchange because it typifies much of my life experience personally and professionally. That somehow where I’ve been, who I appear to be, and what I’ve done is not the same version of a role other people had in mind for me. Imagining that Kim’s life handbook is not the edition they had on their bookshelf. These frequent chance meetings with the dominant culture are simultaneously offensive yet entertaining. However, an element of me enjoys the mind-bending torment certain people display when they learn I’m more educated, well-traveled, and I live in a very nice neighborhood comparatively speaking.

Truthfully, I understand that everyone has biases, preferences, and prejudices; this is not news. But I wanted to take a moment to break down some of the connotations surrounding this issue especially as it pertains to what’s happening in the world today. As defined, bias is an inclination toward or away from one way of thinking. Prejudice refers to a preconceived opinion or feeling, mostly unfavorable, toward a person based on their affiliation with an ethnic group, religion, or organization. Discrimination is what happens when one takes action upon a prejudice they have about a certain group of people, for example.

Much of the tension and the turmoil we see today on the big screen, social media platforms, or in our communities is because things change and nothing stays the same. In my opinion, we are facing a culture reboot—making attempts to turn the page on what has been historically a very difficult chapter, especially here in the U.S. Unfortunately, there are those who desperately want to hold on to the status quo and their privilege. I believe many of us are trying to reimagine the societal house rules so we can move forward together benefitting everyone.

All of this leaves me with questions: The anniversary of George Floyd’s murder is May 25. Are we any further along in understanding the origins of racial injustice and that racism is real? How is it possible that some people still grapple with the fact that their position in life was not gained based on merit? What happens to those who brush up against the expectations for someone who looks like me or the group I’m from or caste to which they believe I was born? Is there a willingness to admit that what I look like and the metric of race have been used to determine my assignment in this society? Along with my perceived value, are attempts to keep me in a fixed place the modus operandi of a certain segment of humanity? If you have answers, reach out to me.

To paraphrase American journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson on class versus caste: “If you can act your way out of it, it’s class. If you can’t, it’s caste. There is nothing to escape assumptions and stereotyping.” Perhaps Wilkerson summed up my encounter that day with the college rep from London: the ability to put them unexpectedly in their place.

New ideas and opportunities are being created every day by talented people from different ethnic backgrounds, genders, ages, and walks of life. A culture that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive boils down to a few key elements—and how things get done so we can thrive.

As for me, my passport is current, credit card balance at zero, and I have an unused, pre-COVID-19 airline ticket with Air Canada. Quebec City awaits.

Article written by Kim Pipkin, president of Black Kite Consulting. Kim is also a member of the SMPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. She can be reached at kimpipkin@comcast.net.