*VIRTUAL EVENT*

Are you an AEC professional juggling multiple roles? Have you recently transitioned into a new position — whether promoted to management, asked to take on business development, or moved into a new area like marketing or technical leadership? Whether you are adjusting to new responsibilities or actively seeking to make a career leap, this Fireside Chat is for you!

Join us for an insightful and engaging conversation with a panel of experts from diverse backgrounds who have successfully navigated career shifts in the AEC industry. They'll share valuable tips, lessons learned, and strategies for thriving in new roles, helping you build confidence as you tackle new challenges and expand your professional growth.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain firsthand advice from those who have been where you are — and learn how to take your career to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand Key Strategies for Navigating Career Transitions – Gain practical insights into how professionals in the AEC industry have successfully shifted roles, managed new responsibilities, and built careers in marketing and business development.
• Build Confidence in Embracing New Challenges – Learn from panelists' experiences about overcoming imposter syndrome, building new skills, and confidently stepping into roles — whether transitioning into a managerial position, taking on business development, or shifting to a different functional area.
• Identify Resources and Support for Career Growth – Explore tools, mentorship, and strategies for ongoing professional development that can help ease the transition into a new role and set you up for success in the long term.

Speakers:

Christine King, FSMPS, CPSM
Principal Consultant
JOY Marketing Consultants, LLC

Christine King, FSMPS, CPSM, is the owner and Principal Consultant at JOY Marketing Consultants. After almost 30 years leading small, medium, and large firm A/E/C marketing departments, JOY Marketing specializes in working with small businesses that may not have the resources or budget for in-house marketing and business development tasks or staff. Christine has been an active member of SMPS Colorado since 1995, serving in leadership positions including Programs Chair for six years, and twice as Chapter President (2000-2001 and 2004-2005). As a Leonardo (1997) awardee and previous Chapter leader, Christine brings her knowledge and experience to the Chapter as needed and has served as a mentor multiple times through the One-to-One mentor/protégé program. Prior to and after receiving Fellows designation, Christine’s work with the SMPS national organization has included leadership and committee roles for the Marketing Communications Awards (MCA), Striving for Excellence (SFE), CPSM, and most recently with the SMPS Fellows Committee and the Fellows Task Force. 

Jay Karst
Director of Business Development
Puma Steel

Jay Karst is an ambitious and results-driven leader with over 30 years of experience in the structural steel industry. As Director of Business Development at Puma Steel, Jay’s expertise includes development, coordination, and implementation of plans and strategies designed to identify and capture new opportunities, in addition to retention of existing business. Jay is also accomplished in project management, estimating, strategic planning, schematic budgets, and value engineering. His career path was inspired by a fondness for heights and aspirations to look back on something he helped build. After coming to Colorado for a climbing trip, Jay quickly realized that he could have the best of both worlds by joining the Ironworkers union and climbing mountains in his free time. This career choice gave him the opportunity to grow as a steel professional and to rise through the operational ranks in both steel erection and fabrication. Jay’s experience in both fields allowed him to gain insight as to how a steel structure is built and also the ability to improve processes through innovative designs and concepts. Throughout his career, Jay has played an instrumental role in building many of the iconic structures in Colorado, such as the Colorado Convention Center expansion, as well as nationwide projects such as the Los Vegas Raiders Stadium. Jay’s passion, dedication, and unique blend of skills and experience help promote team success, drive revenue growth, and foster strategic partnerships. 

Jennifer Van Vleet, CPSM
Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Global
Stantec

Jennifer Van Vleet, CPSM is Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Global, at Stantec in Denver, CO. She oversees a global team of marketers spanning five continents and multiple languages. She has been a member of SMPS since 1999, holding various board positions and committee roles. 

REGISTER

CEUs Available: 1,

Note: Only SMPS Members may register at member pricing. All ticket prices increase $5 on February 15.
The Colorado Believes program is rooted in our core values of learning, commitment, and community through charitable giving, membership scholarships, and industry engagement. This program is part of our efforts to diversify membership and help provide opportunities for small and diverse firms to access educational programs. Please email SMPS Colorado’s admin for scholarship and reduced pricing opportunities.
Refunds are available if submitted to the admin one week prior to the event.