SMPS NERC 2027
The SMPS Northeast Regional Conference (NERC) brings together marketing and business development leaders from the Boston, Central Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Northern New England, Ontario, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Upstate New York, and Washington D.C. chapters – and beyond! – to elevate the profession, enhance their skills and knowledge, grow their careers, and bring invaluable expertise to their organizations. They all work in the built environment in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries.
Meet the Committee
This year’s conference theme is “Rooted and Rising,” and centers around three pillars: Grounding, Guiding, and Growing. We asked our committee chairs which element resonates with them most, either professionally or personally, and why?
Lisa Beeler
Business Development Director
Benchmark Construction
Director
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Grounding & Growing
The past eight years have tested me in ways I didn't expect — personal loss, professional adversity, and the kind of self-doubt that comes from navigating both at once. What carried me through wasn't sheer determination alone; it was deliberately seeking out the people, resources, and practices that could ground me when everything else felt unsteady. That grounding didn't just help me endure — it became the foundation for real professional growth. Of everything I could say about that journey, it's this theme — "Rooted and Rising" — that resonates with me most strongly, and it's exactly why we chose it: we don't rise in spite of what steadies us, we rise because of it. That's the spirit behind this conference, and why leading it means so much to me.
Jill Shorter
Sr. Associate/Marketing Director
Ryan Biggs Clark Davis Engineering
Co-Director
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful mentors throughout my career and SMPS journey, and I’m always looking for ways to pay that forward. At this point in my career—and in my life—I’ve gained experiences and lessons that I’m grateful to be able to share with others. At the same time, I continue to learn just as much from those around me.
Kristen Kearby, MBA
Pursuit Manager
KCI Technologies
Finance Director
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
I believe everyone benefits from having someone who can help illuminate the path ahead. Whether it's offering direction, asking the right questions, or making connections, helping others find their next step contributes to both professional outcomes and personal growth.
Alex LaBreche
Marketing Coordinator II
Pare Corporation
Assistant Finance Director
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Growing
Growing resonates with me most because it is about turning relationships and ideas into something tangible. A lot of my own professional growth has come from getting involved, meeting people, and saying yes to opportunities that I probably would not have anticipated a few years ago. That experience has shown me that growth does not always come from chasing the next opportunity directly. It can come from building genuine relationships, increasing your visibility, and consistently creating value. I like that this pillar connects those efforts back to real outcomes—whether that is a win, a referral, a stronger client relationship, or simply opening the door to the next opportunity.
Jennifer Clark
East Region Marketing Manager
GEI Consultants, Inc.
Programs Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Growing
Growing resonates with me the most. I believe growing in my own career is just as important as contributing to the growth of the firm I work for. I’m motivated by opportunities to learn, take on new challenges, build relationships, and help create something bigger than myself. If I can look back and know that I played a meaningful role in helping a team, a practice, or a firm move forward while continuing to grow myself, I feel like I’ve accomplished something meaningful.
Kim Metzinger, CPSM
Principal, Sector Operations Manager
Stantec
Programs Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Grounding
Grounding. By prioritizing and strengthening fundamentals and core competencies, individuals, teams, and firms create solid foundations. It’s where success and lasting impact are set in motion.
Matt Hawk
Senior Pursuit Manager
Stantec
Sponsorship Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: All of the Above
Having been involved since the conference's inception in Atlantic City, I've seen the importance of staying grounded in our purpose to provide quality content and meaningful connections, guiding the conference through change, and growing its impact as our industry becomes more regional and interconnected. The conference continues to provide the kind of networking and professional development experience that complement what members find in their local chapters.
Leika Wirt
Marketing Leader in Transition
Independent Marketing Consultant
Sponsorship Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Growing
Growing resonates most with me because this year has been a chance for me to reset and reconnect with what matters most. I’ve been grounding myself in creativity and making intentional choices and letting curiosity lead me into a new direction. I am very grateful to serve as Co‑Chair of Sponsorship for this NERC conference and to support a conference built around the same sense of connection I value in my own life.
Brooke Macica
Marketing Pursuit Specialist
LaBella Associates
Communications Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Growing
I am a relative newcomer to the AEC industry (just under four years by the time NERC rolls around!) and always find myself looking for growth opportunities - whether that manifests in an impactful project for a client, a step up in my professional role, a contribution to the firm I work for, or in the industry as a whole. AEC marketing is niche and ever-changing, which means that as marketers, we have to find meaningful ways to evolve. Attending NERC and engaging with like-minded professionals is an excellent way to do just that.
Kristie Norris, CPSM
Director of Marketing & Strategy
Nobis Group
Communications Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
I'm a big proponent of education, mentorship, and freedom. This allows my employees or fellow SMPS members to set a solid foundation, take ownership of their work, and expand their horizons professionally. It's hard to think of something more rewarding than helping the next generation grow into leaders.
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Karen Cotton, CPSM, LEED AP
Senior Marketing Manager
Timmons Group
Registration Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
While all three pillars are important, Guiding resonates with me most. Throughout my career, I've found purpose in connecting people, sharing knowledge, and helping others succeed. When we invest in one another's growth, we all rise together.
Alexandra Weil
Director of Employee Engagement and Marketing
Collective Architecture
Registration Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
Guiding resonates with me because I enjoy being someone others can turn to for support and advice. I’ve learned so much from the people and professional communities around me, and as I’ve grown in my career, I’ve found it rewarding to do the same for others. To me, guiding isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about listening, offering perspective, and encouraging others to trust themselves as they find their own path forward.
Zoë Fluet
Market Development Executive
MillerKnoll
Logistics Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
I have always been pulled towards mentorship, starting as a child on my dance team, through my education, and now into my career with my team and our interns. I love seeing the journey of someone going from new, unsure, or nervous in a role or at an event, and helping them to build their confidence and skills.
Kristen Troxell
Marketing Manager
Benchmark Construction Company, Inc.
Logistics Co-Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
Guiding resonates with me most right now because our company is entering an exciting period of aggressive growth. That growth creates tremendous opportunity, but it also challenges me to think differently about my role as a marketing leader.
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Amy Cuddy, CPSM
Director of Marketing and HR
Wilmot Sanz
Conference App Chair
Grounding, Growing, or Guiding?: Guiding
I have always loved mentoring and find that sharing my experiences as a small team marketer, proposal team manager, and someone that’s good at speaking up has helped others in AEC marketing. The NERC community holds a lot of great thought leaders including ones that continue to guide me in my career.
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