The Year that Changed Me
Posted by Website Director on Sep. 18, 2026 / Subscribe 0
Winning the 2026 SMPS Chapter President of the Year award was an incredible honor.
When I first found out I had been selected, I was immediately so proud that all of our Chapter's accomplishments were being recognized at national level. I thought about the goals we set, the milestones we reached, and the people who worked alongside me to make it all happen. While the award is Chapter President of the Year, it is really a reflection of the Chapter. The submission entry package showcases these achievements and more.
As I’ve had more time to reflect on the award, I’ve realized that I’m thinking less about the award itself and more about the year that led to it.
Because the truth is, 2025 changed me.
I Started With Big Goals
When I began my presidency, I was excited. I had spent months preparing for the opportunity to lead the Philadelphia Chapter, and I came into the role with a lot of energy and a lot of ideas.
I wanted to build a strong Board of Directors. I wanted to create a formal strategic plan that would give our chapter direction beyond a single year. I wanted to improve our systems, expand our programming, grow membership, and strengthen our sponsorship program.
And we did.
During the year, we transitioned our banking system, developed a three-year strategic plan, reached the milestone of 150 members, established a new benchmark for sponsorship revenue of more than $20,000, and saw record attendance across many of our programs.
I’m incredibly proud of those accomplishments.
Then Life Changed
While I was focused on leading the chapter, my personal life was changing in a way I never could have anticipated.
In January 2025, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and entered hospice*.
Suddenly, I was trying to balance something deeply personal and painful with the responsibilities I had taken on as chapter president.
That experience changed the way I think about leadership.
I Learned That Strength Doesn't Mean Doing Everything Yourself
Before becoming president, I probably would have defined a strong leader as someone who had the answers, kept everything moving, and made sure things got done.
I learned something different.
Sometimes strength means admitting you can't do everything yourself.
I had an incredible Board of Directors, volunteers, members, past presidents, and SMPS national leaders around me. They stepped up. They checked in. They gave me grace when I needed it and pushed things forward when I couldn't.
And perhaps most importantly, they reminded me that leadership isn't about carrying everything yourself.
It's about building a team you trust enough to carry things with you.
The strategic plan mattered. The membership milestone mattered. The sponsorship revenue mattered. The programs mattered.
But those aren't the moments I treasure most.
I remember the conversations before and after meetings. The volunteers who raised their hands. The board members who took an idea and made it better. The members who showed up, participated, and gave us feedback. The people who believed in what we were trying to build.
That's what I understand differently now: leadership isn't ultimately about what you accomplish. It's about the people you bring along with you and the relationships you build along the way.
I Learned That You Don't Have to Know Everything Before You Begin
Becoming chapter president had been a goal of mine for nearly 10 years. I was excited to take on the role, but I certainly didn't have every answer when I started.
I don't think any leader does.
You can have a vision and a plan, but you can't predict everything that will happen along the way. You can't anticipate every challenge, every opportunity, or every circumstance life will throw at you.
What you can do is surround yourself with good people, listen, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Sometimes leadership isn't about knowing exactly where you're going.
It's about being willing to take the next step.
So, What Does the Award Mean to Me?
Of course, I'm incredibly proud to have been named SMPS Chapter President of the Year. It's a recognition I'll always treasure.
But the award has my name on it, and I know it wasn't an individual accomplishment.
When I look at it, I see my Board of Directors. I see our volunteers. I see our members. I see the leaders who came before me and the people who will lead the chapter after me.
I see a chapter that was willing to embrace new ideas, take some risks, and work together toward something bigger.
To the Next Leader
If there is one thing I hope someone takes away from my experience, it's this:
Don't wait until you feel completely ready to lead.
Say yes to the opportunity that challenges you. Build a team you trust. Let people help you. Be willing to change your plans when circumstances change.
And don't measure your leadership solely by what you accomplish.
Some of the most important things you do as a leader won't show up in a strategic plan, a membership report, or a revenue number. They will show up in the people who become more confident because you gave them an opportunity. In the volunteer who decides to raise their hand again. In the relationship that continues long after your term ends.
The Year That Changed Me
When I reflect on this award, I will always remember the amazing achievements of the Philadelphia Chapter. I'll remember the goals I set, and that feeling of accomplishment.
But I will also remember the strength SMPS gave me during the most difficult time of my life.
The award recognizes one year of leadership. But the lessons, relationships, and memories from that year will stay with me for a lifetime.
And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
*Phyllis Bolton passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, from the effects of glioblastoma.
Laura Frein, CPSM
Director of Business Development - Eastern Pennsylvania
Michael Baker International
Laura Frein, CPSM is a marketing, communications, and strategic business development professional. With nearly 20 years in the A/E/C industry, Laura has held positions in a variety of roles at major Pennsylvania-based firms. She specializes in using engaging visuals to showcase data and help leadership make data-driven decisions. Laura served as the 2024-2025 SMPS Philadelphia Chapter President.
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