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In our member spotlight, Diane Gillman, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with the Society. Diane, who’s regional marketing director and principal for VHB, has been in the AEC industry for 16 years and an SMPS member for 12.
Please share some recent professional-related news that you’re proud of. I was recently promoted to principal at VHB, which is a major career milestone that I’m extremely proud of. I’m grateful for VHB’s support and for the recognition of the important role marketing plays in driving our business results. I’m excited to continue contributing to VHB’s strategic marketing efforts for many years to come!
What’s the best professional advice you’ve received? The best professional advice I’ve received is to always maintain a continuous improvement mindset. There’s always more to learn—no one is ever truly finished learning. Taking time to reflect on your decisions, consider what you might do differently, and refine your approach to future opportunities helps you become more strategic and ensures that you’re consistently incorporating lessons learned into your work.
Why is SMPS membership important to you? SMPS played a crucial role in my career growth in the AEC industry. It allowed me to build a strong personal network of fellow marketers and friends, and it was an invaluable resource as I was starting out—experimenting with strategy and best practices while working to advance and elevate my marketing skillset.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. I began my AEC career as a Geographic Information System (GIS) intern in college, but I quickly realized that the fast-paced, competitive nature of AEC marketing was a much better fit for me.
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without? Diet Coke and reality television.