The Quarterly Wrap-up: Summer 2025
Posted on Sep. 26, 2025 / Quarterly Wrap-up / Subscribe 0
As the sun sets on another beautiful summer and the SMPS Boston team gets back into full swing, we are taking a moment to celebrate some new and old members, as well as highlight the various events that took place! All photo credits, Matthew Arielley.
Welcome to the 2025-2026 Board of Directors!
A warm welcome to SMPS Boston's 2025-2026 Board of Directors!
President: Molly Romano, CPSM, Windover
President-Elect: Dacota Griffin, GEI Consultants
Past-President: Britt-Anya Bursell, Tighe & Bond
Secretary: Annie Langlois, Sasaki
Treasurer: Lauren Hickey, Finegold Alexander Architects
Director of Communications: Jenn Robertson, Sasaki
Director of CPSM Certification: Phillip Learmonth, CPSM, HNTB Corporation
Director of Membership: Lucy March, GEI Consultants
Director of Outreach: Alexa Prenovitz, Tighe & Bond
Director of Professional Development: Katherine Lesko, Chapman Construction/Design
Director of Special Events: Emily Jenkins, Bala Consulting Engineers
Welcome to our Newest Members!
June
Nicholas Stone, NV5
Julia Parziale, Marketing Coordinator, NV5
Michelle Achambault, Bond Building Construction, Inc.
Olivia Smith, Marcketing Coordinator
Cotnie Jones, Proposal Coordinator, Acentech
Hillary Farrell, Senior Marketing Coordinator, Bond Building Construction, Inc.
July
Sarah Rifkin, Schwartz Silver Architects, Inc.
Fay Pahuja, Marketing Co-op, GEI Consultants
Andrew DiFilippo, CDM Smith, Inc.
Henry Lyon, Marketing Director, Machado & Silvetti Associates
JJ Nelson, Senior Associate, Director of Brand Communications, Bergmeyer
Event Recap
SMPS Boston Best & Brightest Awards Gala - 6/12
SMPS celebrated another successful year at the 2025 Best & Brightest Awards Gala, rolling out the red carpet for a night of spotlights, sequins and standing ovations. Read about it on the blog! The event was organized by Lauren Hickey (Finegold Alexander Architects), Emily Jenkins (Bala Engineering), Tully Mahoney (Page), Kelly Cohane (South Coast Improvement Company), Melissa Shaffer (GEI Consultants), Julia Hoggins (Geocomp, Inc.), Sarah Ryan-Theroux (Flansburgh Architects), Rachel Herbst (CDM Smith), Ksenia Pryme (Tighe & Bond), and Kristie Norris (Nobis Group).
New and Prospective Member Orientation - 6/24
One of SMPS Boston's most popular recurring events returned again in June, where new and prospective members learned everything there is to know about SMPS Boston! Event organized by Dacota Griffin (GEI Consultants).
Cultivating a Feedback-Driven Brand: How Listening to Clients Can Transform Your Marketing Strategy - 6/26
SMPS Boston invited Client Savvy's Ryan Suydam to speak about how to turn client feedback into powerful testimonials, real-time marketing content, and brand innovations. Event organized by Katherine Lesko (Chapman Construction/Design), and Kristie Norris (Nobis Group).
Intermediate Video Editing with Adobe Premier Pro - 7/9
After the popularity of the previous Adobe Premiere editing seminar, Phillip Quindara (CSArch) returned with a new webinar focused on more advanced techniques in Adobe Premiere. Event organized by Katherine Lesko (Chapman Construction/Design) and Kristie Norris (Nobis Group).
Summer Social - 7/24
The SMPS Boston annual summer social was held at the 75 State Street Rooftop Deck, and was a resounding success! SMPS Boston members enjoyed a beautiful night out with food, drinks, and more. The event was organized by Dacota Griffin (GEI Consultants), Kelly Stinett (Tighe & Bond), and Lucy March (GEI Consultants).
Scenario Planning for Agility - 3/27
Through real-world case studies, attendees were taught the skills needed to forecast market shifts, integrate scenario planning into their strategic toolkit, and drive resilient growth for their firms, turning unpredictability into competitive advantage. Speakers included Benjamin Sawa (GEI) and Anna Smith (SMRT).
Infographics That Work: Fast, Clear Visuals for High-Stakes Proposals - 7/31
In a time where it is critical for proposals to be as clear and compelling as possible, AEC Marketing Expert Kristen Peters led a seminar on how to communicate complex information as clearly, cleanly, and efficiently as possible. Event organized by Katherine Lesko (Chapman Construction/Design), and Kristie Norris (Nobis Group).
CPSM Study Group 2025/2026 Information Session - 8/27
The SMPS Boston academic year kicked off in full force with the CPSM study group kick-off. Check out this article from the blog where CPSM study group graduates share their experiences! Event organized by Phil Learmonth (HNTB).
Highlights from Member Spotlights
Piera Varela, Marketing Assistant, Nitsch Engineering
What led you to working in the A/E/C industry?
I was hired by Nitsch as a receptionist at first; I was looking for just about any job at the time just to stay afloat, but I was drawn to Nitsch as a woman-led civil engineering firm with a specialty in green infrastructure and active interest in complex ecological solutions. I’m not an engineer (obviously!), but I am independently interested in ecology and the environment, and my interests and values align closely with Nitsch’s. When the previous marketing assistant left to go to grad school, she encouraged me to apply for her position, and I ended up loving it!
Deborah Azer, Marketing & Proposal Specialist, BSC Group
Why did you decide to join SMPS?
Having stumbled into the AEC industry with a background in sustainable fashion, I quickly realized that marketing for professional services is a completely different beast from product-based marketing. While I was learning the ropes in a new role and industry, I found SMPS’s educational resources and networking opportunities to be invaluable. The professional development sessions offered are specifically catered to the work we do as AEC marketers and have empowered me to keep growing and gaining confidence in my role. SMPS is one of the few places where I can talk about proposals, database management, and InDesign efficiency, with people who are just as passionate about the work we do.
Jennie Dashiell, Marketing Coordinator, Annum Architects
What do you work toward in your free time?
Family is important to me and I like to spend quality time with my kids which can be challenging with working full time. I am extremely blessed to work for a company that helps me balance things between work and home. I'm always interested in creative pursuits and learning new skills, I recently took a pottery class and my kids and I are all learning to throw on the wheel.
Sidney Marcey, Marketing Coordinator & SMPS Blog Manager, Sasaki
Why did you decide to join SMPS?
My manager Jenn Robertson is the incumbent Communications Director at SMPS, and she encouraged me to get involved at SMPS (or else…). As someone who studied marketing at school, a lot of A/E/C is so unique compared to what one considers to be traditional marketing, so getting the opportunity to practice some of the skills I studied in school is valuable to me. I also enjoy meeting people from other firms through SMPS and realizing that we all go through the same struggles and are in it together!
Tahlya Cuevas, Marketing Coordinator, BSC Group
What are you currently watching, reading, or listening to?
I am currently reading a book called The Italian Daughter (excellent read), but usually I love a good thriller (hello Freida McFadden), and I just started the series Scandal, and I am a sucker for Love Island!
Happy Anniversary to the Following Members
2 years
Jennie Dashiell, Marketing Coordinator, Annum Architects
Kelly Niehoff, Manager of Partner Development, Windover Construction
Sydney Mason, Marketing Specialist, Epsilon Associates, Inc.
Tully Mahoney, Storytelling Strategist, Page
3 years
Briana Whynott, Marketing Specialist, Colantanio, Inc.
Jennifer Pollio, Marketing Manager, B2Q Associates
4 years
Lauren Martin, Senior Proposal Lead, SMMA
Alexandra Comiskey, Senior Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Wise Construction Corporation
5 years
Maggie Connolly, Regional Marketing & Proposal Manager, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc
Leigh Walker, Director of Marketing & Comunications, Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects
Fabi Falaise, Senior Marketing Coordinator, Columbia
Will Ragano, Marketing Manager/Graphic Designer, Johnson Roberts Associates
6 years
Meghan Callahan, Senior Marketing Manager, Helical Drilling
Kelly Stinnett, Proposal & Content Management Specialist II, Tighe & Bond
Jenn Robertson, Marketing Manager, Sasaki Associates, Inc.
7 years
Annie Langlois, Marketing Manager, Sasaki Associates, Inc.
Katherine Murphy, Director of Marketing, Goody Clancy
Molly Romano, CPSM, Director of Marketing, Windover Construction
8 years
Faye DeMoura, CPSM, Director of Marketing, Wright-Pierce
Elizabeth Musacchio, CPC, Director of Marketing, Architectural Resources Cambridge
10 years
Kimberly DiGiovanni, Director of Marketing, NV5
14 years
Hilary Donahue, Chief Marketing Officer, Haynes Group Inc.
17 years
Linda McDonough, Senior Vice President, Northstar Project & Real Estate Services
18 years
Vanessa Schaefer, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Clockwork Design Group Inc.
20 years
Amanda Hanley, Marketing Lead, VHB
Jennifer Shelby, CPSM, Senior Marketing Process Innovation Manager, IMEG
Sarah McGillicuddy, Director of Business Development, BR+A
24 years
Kelly Cohane, Marketing Manager, South Coast Improvement Company
22 years
Timothy Downing, MA, Owner, Design & Co.
26 years
Susan Gray, MBA, Senior Director – Marketing and Client Acquisition, Shawmut Design and COnstruction
39 years
Michael Reilly, FSMPS, MS, Principal, Reilly Communications
Member anniversary information is obtained from SMPS National. If any information is incorrect, please log into your national account to update it.
Volunteer Appreciation
SMPS Boston held its first Volunteer Appreciation Day this year in the form of a fun field day! Committee groups participated in various fun activities, had pizza, and celebrated another successful year of helping SMPS succeed!
Photo Corner
2025 SMPS Boston Best & Brightest Awards Gala
Summer Social
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