Laura Frein Named 2026 Chapter President of the Year
Posted by MarCom2526 on Jul. 28, 2026 / Blog / Subscribe 0
SMPS Philadelphia is pleased to announce that Laura Frein, CPSM, has been recognized as the 2026 Chapter President of the Year. Laura was honored at Amplify A|E|C, the Society’s annual conference, in Las Vegas.
The Chapter President of the Year award recognizes an outstanding chapter president whose leadership has strengthened their chapter, advanced the Society's mission, and created lasting impact for members.
As president of SMPS Philadelphia during the 2024–2025 program year, Laura led a transformative year focused on transparency, organization, and industry reputation. Her leadership resulted in measurable growth across membership, sponsorship, programming, and chapter operations while establishing processes that will benefit the chapter for years to come.
During her tenure, a significant accomplishment was developing and moving forward with SMPS Philadelphia's three-year strategic plan. Laura championed an inclusive participation process that engaged members, which inspired them to become invested in the long-term vitality of the chapter.
She also guided the chapter's transition to Billhighway, improving financial transparency, leadership accountability, and operational efficiency. The move provided chapter leaders with greater visibility into finances and established stronger processes for future boards.
Under Laura's leadership, SMPS Philadelphia increased sponsorship revenue by $5,000, added more member-only events, and concluded the program year with a financial surplus. The chapter also expanded professional development opportunities covering all Domains of Practice. Some innovative programs included the Management Masterclass Series, Tech Tuesdays, and a sold-out Adobe InDesign training session.
Beyond operational achievements, Laura fostered a culture of inclusion, mentorship, and member engagement. The chapter continued its mentorship program, offered scholarships and grants to support professional development, and strengthened connections among members through new networking initiatives and collaborative industry partnerships.
"Laura's leadership style is defined by her extraordinary organization, proactiveness, and genuine commitment to continuous improvement," said Amanda Irwin, President-Elect (2025-26). "Through her actions and example, she elevated not only the organization but the people within it."
Her impact was equally evident in the chapter's long-term vision and culture. "Laura's resilience never wavered, and she served as an inspiration to the entire board," said Kimberly Latona, CPSM, Director of programs (2025-26) for SMPS Philadelphia. "Her goals were to lead with transparency, create structured processes through organization, and ensure that SMPS Philadelphia had a positive industry reputation.”
Through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to member value, Laura positioned SMPS Philadelphia for sustained success while strengthening the chapter's role within the AEC community.
Congratulations, again, to Laura Frein, CPSM, on being recognized as the 2026 SMPS Chapter President of the Year!
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