For our member spotlight, Bridget Kraus, FSMPS, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with us to share what it means to be an SMPS Fellow. Bridget is vice president of marketing at Walbec Group.
Could you please share what it means to you to become an SMPS Fellow? Becoming an SMPS Fellow is a profound honor and a defining milestone in my professional journey. It represents more than a title—it reflects decades of dedication, persistence, and passion for marketing in the A/E/C industry.
Throughout our careers, we often find ourselves head down, plugging away, focused on the day-to-day work—building strategies, mentoring teams, solving problems, delivering results. It’s easy to lose track of the bigger picture. Then one day, you look up, and decades have passed. After going through the SMPS Fellow application, I realized how far I’ve come.
This recognition as an SMPS Fellow is a moment to pause and reflect on that journey. It’s a celebration of cumulative efforts: the long hours, the continuous learning, the commitment to elevating our discipline, and the relentless push to make marketing a strategic force within our organizations.
It affirms not only what I’ve done but why I’ve done it—to advance an organization, elevate my knowledge, grow our profession, contribute to a community, or empower others to grow. I see this fellowship not as a finish line but as a new beginning—a platform to give back even more meaningfully to the SMPS network and the next generation of leaders. Becoming an SMPS Fellow is a career highlight for me!
How do you see this designation changing or elevating your professional role? An SMPS Fellowship designation elevates my role as a strategic leader and advocate for marketing within the A/E/C industry. It positions me to influence at a higher level, championing marketing’s role in driving business strategy and growth within my organization, the industry, the Society, and SMPS Wisconsin.
This recognition also deepens my commitment to mentoring others and advancing our profession. It strengthens my platform to lead with purpose, share insights, and help shape the future of A/E/C marketing with intention and impact.
What would you like to accomplish as an SMPS Fellow as it relates to the Society or A/E/C industry? As an SMPS Fellow, I aim to stay actively engaged with both the Society and our local chapter, championing the visibility of SMPS and advocating for the critical role marketing professionals play in driving business success and shaping the future of the A/E/C industry.
How would you like to be a resource to SMPS members? SMPS is an incredible network of talented A/E/C marketing and business development professionals. I’m always open to making new connections—whether it’s to collaborate, exchange ideas, or mentor the next generation of leaders.
The A/E/C world is smaller than we think, and it’s a great feeling to connect others, whether within my organization or across the industry, through the power of a strong network. Let’s connect!
Any final thoughts? Get involved with SMPS and start building your network! Your professional network often becomes part of your personal circle, creating lasting relationships beyond the office. Ultimately, life is about meaningful connections and the people you surround yourself with. Invest in those relationships. They matter.
