Join SMPS Philadelphia for Career Journeys: Lessons, Milestones, and Mentorship, a virtual program exploring the experiences that shape successful careers in the AEC industry. Through a candid panel discussion, AEC marketing and business development professionals will share the experiences, career decisions, and relationships that shaped their professional journeys—and the lessons they've learned along the way.
 
Following the panel, participants will join facilitated breakout discussions to explore topics including leadership, networking, career ownership, building credibility, and professional growth. Whether you're seeking guidance, looking to become a mentor, or simply hoping to connect with peers facing similar career challenges, you'll leave with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections to support your career development.
 
This program also provides an opportunity to learn more about the SMPS Philadelphia Mentorship Program and how you can get involved as a mentor or mentee. We encourage professionals at every career stage to join the conversation.

Panelists

MODERATOR:
Christina Tedeschi
Director of Strategic Pursuits
Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc.

PANELISTS:
Christyn Binder, CPSM 
Director, Marketing
Arora Engineers

Christyn Binder, CPSM, is the Director of Marketing at Arora Engineers, where she leads enterprise-level marketing and communications strategy. She began her career in the AEC industry more than a decade ago, discovering early on that she enjoyed the fast-paced, collaborative nature of helping teams pursue, win, and deliver meaningful work. Over the course of her career, Christyn has progressed from proposal management into marketing leadership while remaining actively involved in SMPS. Her professional interests include marketing strategy, operational improvement, proposal excellence, and helping organizations communicate their expertise more effectively. Christyn currently serves on the SMPS Philadelphia Programs Committee, and is a grateful graduate of the chapter's Mentorship Program.

Stacy Barrett
Senior Associate/Marketing Manager
STV

Stacy Barrett is a Senior Associate and Marketing Manager for STV’s Transportation North group. She brings 30 years of marketing experience in the AEC industry, specializing in proposal management. A communications graduate of Ithaca College, she has been an active member of SMPS since 2004 and has held multiple leadership roles within the Philadelphia Chapter, including Past President. Stacy is dedicated to supporting professional growth and has served as an SMPS Philadelphia mentor since 2018.

Grace Sanford
Marketing Specialist II
McCormick Taylor 

Grace Sanford is a Marketing Specialist II with six years of experience supporting AEC firms through strategic marketing, proposal development, and business development initiatives. She develops compelling qualifications packages, proposals, resumes, project descriptions, and marketing materials that effectively communicate technical expertise and strengthen client pursuits. Grace collaborates closely with technical staff and leadership to produce high-quality, compliant deliverables while maintaining consistency across branding and messaging. Her strong organizational skills, combined with a keen attention to detail, help position teams for successful pursuits and client relationships.

Amelia Sheldon
Marketing and Business Development Assistant
GREYHAWK

Amelia has almost 2 years of experience in the AEC industry. Amelia brings graphic design, photography, and videography skills to her role as a Marketing and Business Development Assistant. She supports GREYHAWK with marketing research, communication materials development, and social media content. Amelia created news and filmed videos for James Madison University’s Breeze TV station and newspaper. She’s passionate about photography and videography, and she has developed advertising graphics and videos to support multiple businesses. She also gained PR exposure as a participant in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Highly organized, efficient, and quick to absorb new skills, Amelia especially enjoys communication research before a project begins and review of data and metrics to learn after a project has been completed. She collaborates well to create unique and compelling campaigns and messages, and she brings a strong client service mindset to every activity.