In our member spotlight, Reagan Branham, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Reagan, who’s chief marketing officer at HERA laboratory planners, has been in the AEC industry for 14 years and an SMPS member for 12.
Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. I just joined the SMPS Marketer Editorial Committee. The group brainstorms article ideas for the publication and we have the first opportunity to write about topics of interest. It’s the perfect marriage of my journalism background with my knowledge of AEC marketing. (I spent 14 years working at newspapers.)
What has been one of your most meaningful projects? I just finished a year-long profile series where I interviewed co-workers with interesting hobbies or passions that enhance their professional work. External feedback through social media was extremely positive, and internally people loved reading about their coworkers and looked forward to the next profile. The series made the profiled individuals proud of their value to the firm and each article helped us all feel even more connected.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? I read Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg at a time in my career that I really needed to hear the message about women literally (and figuratively) taking a seat at the table. The message of believing in ourselves and the ideas that we bring to conversations and the decision-making process really resonated with me. Don’t relegate yourself to a chair off to the side. The other important takeaway was to find a workplace that supported me having that voice. I feel very fortunate to have found a company that encourages and values my opinion.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve given? Not exclusively professional, but I tell my daughter that it’s okay to not like everyone. It’s also okay that not everyone likes you. I’m a people pleaser, so the second part of that advice is challenging for me.
How has SMPS helped you, your career, and/or your firm? SMPS membership alone is not enough; you must also be involved. I’ve met so many great people through SMPS. Sometimes those connections help link me with a new job or project opportunity for my firm. Just as often the connections introduce me to a new restaurant or recipe to try. All are valuable and make for a great community.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I started in AEC marketing as an avenue to become an interior designer. I was a newspaper graphic designer at the time, taking interior design classes at night. A former co-worker was leaving a marketing coordinator job and thought I’d be a good fit to fill her spot. I was not terribly interested in it but hoped to get a foot in the door and work my way over to interiors. Here I am 14 years later, quite happy with my decision to stay in marketing.
What’s on your bucket list? I’m an avid traveler and have two major destinations at the top of my list: Southeast Asia and an African safari. Nothing planned for either … yet!
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Dr Pepper Zero. It’s my coffee.
