In our member spotlight, Marta Dabrowski, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Marta, who’s marketing manager for WSP USA, Inc., has been in the AEC industry for 15 years and an SMPS member for 11 of them.
Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. Over the past year, I’ve focused on developing a new mentorship program for SMPS Connecticut, which officially launched in September 2025. Mentorship is something I’m deeply passionate about, and seeing the program come to life has been incredibly rewarding. I’m very proud of how it has evolved and the impact it’s already beginning to have within our chapter.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I enjoy traveling and have visited more than 30 countries. I love exploring new places and learning about different cultures.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? Embrace the power of saying “yes.” Taking on things that felt a little outside my comfort zone, like stepping into the role of SMPS Connecticut president, ended up being some of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Saying yes has opened doors I never expected and helped me grow in ways I might’ve missed otherwise.
Why is SMPS membership important to you? SMPS has been a meaningful part of my career. The connections, support, and leadership opportunities I’ve found through the community have helped shape me as an A/E/C marketer. Getting involved in committees and stepping into different leadership roles has allowed me to build new skills and meet people who’ve had a real impact on my professional journey. It’s also important to me because it gives me a chance to support others in the same way. Overall, SMPS has strengthened my abilities and the value I’m able to bring to my firm.
Which SMPS member benefits or resources have helped you? There are so many SMPS member benefits and resources that have helped me along the way. The webinars and professional development programs help me stay current with industry trends, and the MySMPS community is amazing for connecting with people and sharing ideas. I also really enjoy the conferences (such as the Northeast Regional Conference) which are always high‑energy and filled with great takeaways. Getting involved as a volunteer has been especially meaningful and has helped me expand my network.
If you’re a CPSM, how has the designation benefited you and your firm? Earning my CPSM designation meant a great deal to me. I reached a point in my career where I was ready to take on more responsibility and expand my role, so studying for the CPSM exam was a great way to push myself to fill in gaps and sharpen my skills. Earning the certification gave me a big confidence boost and the knowledge I gained through the process benefited both me and my firm.
What would you still like to accomplish in your career? I’d love to continue growing as a leader, both within my firm and in the A/E/C community. Mentorship has become such an important part of my professional life, so finding more ways to support and develop others is a big goal for me. I also want to keep expanding my skills so I’m always looking for new challenges that push me to grow. There’s still a lot I’m excited to learn and do.
What’s on your bucket list? There are plenty of places I still want to explore, and England and Scotland are at the top of the list right now. I’m hoping to finally make that trip happen this year!
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Ice cream is definitely my guilty pleasure. If I’m somewhere new, I’m absolutely hunting down a local scoop.
