Sponsorships Open!
Interested in supporting SMPS Colorado’s annual Marketing Excellence Awards event through sponsorship? Opportunities are now available at a variety of levels to sponsor our MEA event while providing for recognition and promotion of your firm in a well-attended forum.
Please reach out to the MEA Committee if you have any questions or would like to discuss additional options for sponsorship.
Meet the 2026 MEA Emcee
Marci D. Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) + SMPS Foundation
Curious. Innovative. Passionate.
Marci D. Thompson is an award-winning executive, strategist, and three-time author dedicated to advancing business growth in the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry. As Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), a multi-national organization serving marketing and business development professionals across the U.S. and Canada, she leads the strategic direction for growth, engagement, research, publications, and professional development.
With more than two decades of experience in professional development and workforce education, Marci has stewarded credentialing programs, expanded industry partnerships, and built scalable learning platforms that equip professionals at every stage of their careers. Under her leadership, SMPS continues to elevate the role of marketing and business development as essential drivers of firm performance and industry advancement.
A contributing writer to industry trade publications and a respected voice on leadership and strategy, Marci is committed to strengthening the profession by strengthening its people.
Her leadership philosophy is clear: build the people, and you build the future.
Meet The 2026 MEA Judges
Barbara Shuck, FSMPS, CPSM
Barbara helps AEC firms build effective marketing/communications programs. Working with Everest Marketing Services, she advises, educates, and coaches marketing and business development teams, including proposals, interviews, research, planning, promotions, and management. She’s a veteran AEC strategist, writer, thought leader, innovator, trainer, and mentor.
Barbara has worked for construction, engineering, construction management, and architectural firms. She is a Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Past President, Fellow, and Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), and is a Trustee of the SMPS Foundation. She is the 2022 SMPS Weld Coxe Marketing Achievement Award recipient, the Society’s highest honor for leadership and exemplary service in research, leadership, education, communications, and innovation.
In 2023, she and industry veteran, Craig Park, FSMPS, Assoc. AIA, published The Architecture of Vision: Leadership in Your Professional Practice, the AEC industry’s most current research-based resource and proven framework for personal and professional success.
Donald Butchko, CPSM
Donald Butchko, CPMS is Manager | Marketing at Bowen, a Cleveland-based architecture firm. His background is in theater, but he fell into the AEC industry when a temp agency sent him to a construction office in Queens by mistake. He has been with Bowen since moving back to Cleveland in 2013, starting in the print room and eventually leading all marketing endeavors. Bowen’s 2019 rebrand and 2023 website redesign were recognized by the SMPS Northeast Ohio Design Awards and the SMPS Heartland Pinnacle Awards. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Education Committee for SMPS Northeast Ohio. He served for 2 years as a founding member of the Society’s DEI committee and is currently on the Society Professional Development Committee and co-chair of the Sponsorship/Exhibitor Committee for Heartland Regional Conference. He sings with the North Coast Men’s Chorus, northeast Ohio’s largest LGBTQ+ member organization, and served on their board as Member Advocate for two terms.
Donna Jakubowicz, FSMPS
Donna Jakubowicz is Vice President and Director of Brand at Wade Trim, where she brings 30 years years of leadership in strategic marketing, brand management, and corporate communications. A seasoned presentation coach and trainer, she is known for her sharp business sense, strong financial acumen, and ability to build high-performing teams.
Donna leads the development of strategic branding initiatives that elevate thought leadership and strengthen the company’s brand presence. She oversees the design and implementation of campaigns, templates, and messaging guidelines, ensuring consistency and excellence across all communications.
A forward-thinking strategist, Donna is passionate about helping others reach their potential and is committed to driving innovation, growth, and organizational success.
Emily Ludington, CPSM
Emily Ludington serves as the Director of Marketing for Danis Construction, where
she leads strategic marketing initiatives, brand development, and communications
across the organization. With deep experience in the AEC industry, Emily oversees
firm-wide marketing strategy, proposal development, digital storytelling, and
pursuit communications that support Danis’ growth across multiple markets.
A Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), her leadership spans close
collaboration with operations, business development, and executive teams,
allowing her to deliver clear, consistent, and compelling messaging that supports
Danis’ growth and long‐term vision. She has served as a judge for SMPS’ MCAs,
bringing her practical expertise and industry perspective to the evaluation of
standout work across the profession.
Beyond her role at Danis, Emily serves on the Board of Directors for The Victory
Project through Danis’ Constructing Hope program and has been consistently
involved in nonprofit and community‐driven service throughout her career.
Emily lives in the Dayton, Ohio area with her husband, Dave. Together, they have
three sons, Will, Tyler, and Owen and two energetic German Shorthaired Pointers,
Oakley and Jaeger, who ensure there is never a dull moment.
Heidi Nielsen, CPSM, SEGD
Heidi Nielsen is a Senior Associate and the Marketing Director with Salt Lake City-based FFKR Architects. As the Marketing Team leader, she sees the team as collaborative partners and trusted advisors in project pursuits.
Heidi is an active member of SMPS both at the local and regional levels. She served on the SMPS Utah board for seven years and is a past chapter president. She also served on the SMPS Southwest Regional Conference planning committee. Heidi enjoys the outdoors and is an avid SCUBA diver.
JoAnn Moffett, SPHR, CPSM
In her role as Vice President of Operations at Cunningham Engineering, JoAnn oversees and coordinates all firm-wide financial operations, human resources strategies and marketing functions to position her firm for growth and profitability. Her passion is strategic planning and pushing beyond what her peer group thinks they can do comfortably. Cunningham Engineering is a Northern California based firm providing civil engineering and landscape architecture throughout the state. Cunningham has bestowed many “firsts” on JoAnn—she is its first female principal, first non-technical principal, first female shareholder, and first non-technical shareholder.
During her 26-year tenure in the A/E/C industry, JoAnn has provided leadership and elbow-grease to many professional organizations. She was the SMPS Sacramento Chapter president during its 30th anniversary year, championing the theme of “30 in 30”—hosting 30 chapter events in its 30th year. She has chaired many SMPS committees and currently is chairing Leadership Pathways. She also has served on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association and the Sacramento SPCA. She is a proud sustainer of the Junior League of Sacramento. JoAnn has co-chaired the local DBIA golf tournament for many years. She is currently on the board of directors for The Rotary Club of West Sacramento, serving as its Youth Services Chair and is an active Meals on Wheels volunteer.
JoAnn holds several certifications including Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and was named “Top 40 Under 40” business executives in Sacramento in 2011. She received Sacramento SMPS’s highest honor when she was named Marketer of the Year in 2019. The Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Sacramento Chapter presented her with the “Woman of Impact” award in 2022.
After graduating from the University of Memphis (go tigers!), JoAnn started her career in public relations at Sheraton Casino, a division of Caesars World. Seven years later she moved to California, found her niche in the A/E/C industry and the rest is history. JoAnn is mom to two spoiled labradoodles. When she’s not working or volunteering, she and her husband are planning their next traveling adventure.
Julia Meade, CPSM
Julia Meade, CPSM, is a dedicated mentor and organizer with the relentless energy to drive change, creativity, and growth. Julia has a strengths-based approach to life, learning, sharing, and working with others. She’s happiest when focused on quality and working with and for the best. By discovering what each person naturally does best and empowering them to do it, she helps individuals, teams, and groups grow and thrive.
After a 10-year career in foster care/social work, Julia signed on as a temp secretary at an architecture firm. Here, Julia asked the director of business development what else she could do to stay busy. The answer started Julia down the path to her 25-year career driving sales, marketing, communication, and growth in the A/E/C industry.
A lifelong pursuit of education and the ability to utilize new skills are motivators for Julia. Her passion for novel and inspiring experiences has provided her with career and life-enriching lessons. Julia’s desire to learn new things and gain professional experience led her to achieve her CPSM certification and become a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.
Julia was an SMPS Dallas/Fort Worth board member for over seven years, serving in different roles, including the Chapter President. She was instrumental in initiating the formation of the SMPS Fort Worth Chapter and served as a resource during the formation of the newly launched SMPS North Texas Chapter.
Leah Boltz, FSMPS, CPSM
Leah Boltz, FSMPS, CPSM, has 24 years of experience in communications, marketing, business development, and strategy within the architecture, engineering, and technology sectors. She is a principal and owner at Bettisworth North Architects and Planners in Alaska, one of only three non-technical firm owners in the state. She leads the firm's marketing, business development, and community outreach, in addition to managing the Anchorage office.
Leah has been an SMPS member since 2011 and helped found the Alaska Chapter, where she now serves as chapter advisor. She has served on multiple SMPS national committees, including helping to create the SMPS MAX platform, serving on the Fellows Committee, and co-creating the "Path to Principal" program for non-technical professionals. She was honored as an SMPS Fellow in 2022, an Anchorage ATHENA Society awardee in 2024, was a Top 40 Under Forty, and is past president of Anchorage Rotary Club.
Outside of work, Leah is a dedicated community volunteer, co-founding the Parks for ALL initiative for inclusive play, and serving on multiple community boards.
Melanie Meeks, CPSM
Melanie has 22 years of experience in the A/E/C industry, specializing in the development of marketing strategy, client development and project pursuits. She is a Certified Professional Services Marketer, served as President of SMPS Houston and worked as the Director of Client Development at Kirksey Architecture prior to launching Meeks Marketing in 2013. A wife and mom of three, she can often be found running carpool to baseball and play practices, or relaxing with a good book.
For more information, please contact:
Josh Miles, Committee Director
Bold Brand | [email protected]
Jaime Clark, Committee Co-Chair
ArmourSash | [email protected]
Angie Gomez, Committee Co-Chair
BCER | [email protected]
