In our member spotlight, Amber Burke sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS HQ. Amber, who’s marketing manager for Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI), has been in the AEC industry for 30 years and an SMPS member for just as long!
Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. Since joining EEI, I’ve had the opportunity to support key initiatives at a pivotal growth stage for the company. Recent highlights include contributing to a successful brand refresh, leading the Deltek CRM conversion, and helping build a strong, collaborative marketing and business development team. I’m currently leading an open asset integration initiative to streamline and accelerate proposal development, improving efficiency, consistency, and speed to market. Alongside this work, I continue to source new leads and assist with business development to support EEI’s continued growth and expansion.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. Giving back to my community is important to me, which is why I volunteer my time and marketing expertise with my local woman’s club. Through fundraising, scholarships, and service initiatives, we work to strengthen families and create lasting impact.
What has been one of your most meaningful projects? One of my most meaningful experiences has been working on projects where I’m involved from the ground floor, bringing the right team together, guiding the effort through proposal and interview, and ultimately seeing the engineering services bring the vision to life. Renovation projects are equally rewarding, especially when existing spaces are thoughtfully reimagined and given new purpose. It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch both new and renovated projects progress from concept to completion and to know they’re making a real, positive impact on the community. A great example is the Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. Being part of that project was especially thrilling, seeing the arena open in 2018 and later watching the Bucks win the NBA Championship in 2021 made it even more meaningful.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? Everything in marketing is perception. Every touchpoint shapes how clients see your firm, projects, people, responsiveness, and consistency. Strong marketing builds confidence in your ability to deliver long before a conversation ever happens. It’s all in the details. If it’s visible, it matters. Paying attention to details means being intentional at every touchpoint.
What the best professional advice you’ve given? Commit to continuous improvement and lifelong learning. In AEC marketing, change is constant, tools, platforms, and client expectations evolve rapidly. Sustainable success requires professionals to be proactive in expanding their knowledge through industry thought leadership, business literature (books), SMPS engagement, and ongoing professional development. This approach builds careers that are not only relevant today, but adaptable, resilient, and positioned for long-term impact.
Why is SMPS membership important to you? It’s important to me because it connects marketing professionals who truly understand the unique challenges of the AEC industry. Through SMPS, I’ve gained access to industry-specific education, best practices, and a strong professional network. It’s helped me grow my skills, stay current on trends, and approach my work more strategically. For my firm, SMPS has provided valuable insights into positioning, pursuit strategy, and client-focused marketing, ultimately strengthening how we tell our story and compete in the market.
Which SMPS member benefits or resources have helped you? The most important SMPS benefit to my career, both professionally and personally, has been the nationwide network of marketers. Having access to peers across the country who are willing to collaborate, support business development efforts, and serve as trusted resources has been invaluable. Just as meaningful are the friendships built through SMPS, which have become one of the greatest resources in my professional career.
If you’re a CPSM, how has the designation benefited you and your firm? While I’m not currently a CPSM, it’s a designation I fully intend to pursue. I actively invest in my own professional education, along with my employer. I believe continuous learning is essential in marketing where strategies, tools, and client expectations evolve constantly. I make it a priority to stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and emerging approaches, so I can bring fresh, relevant ideas to my firm. The CPSM designation aligns well with how I already approach my role, focused on strategic thinking, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What would you still like to accomplish in your career? I’ve always been drawn to international business, and one of my long-term goals is to help expand my firm’s presence globally, whether that’s through international partnerships, new markets, or cross-border collaboration. Being part of that kind of growth, and helping my company scale beyond its current footprint, is something I’d find incredibly rewarding.
What’s on your bucket list? I’m excited to continue progressing in my career by taking on increasingly complex challenges, expanding my leadership responsibilities, and making a meaningful impact through my work. Long term, I’m motivated by opportunities to help shape strategy, mentor others, and contribute at a senior leadership level to EEI’s success.
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Spin class at 5 a.m.; I can’t live without it.
