MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | TAYLOR ARIAS
Posted on Jan. 14, 2026 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
We’re excited to spotlight Taylor Arias, CPSM, a marketing leader whose passion for strategic planning, event execution, and community impact shines through her work with both her firm and SMPS-NY. With a decade of experience in the A/E/C industry and a strong commitment to continuous learning, Taylor brings creativity, organization, and a people-first mindset to everything she does. From coordinating engaging events to supporting professional growth across the chapter, her journey reflects the power of getting involved and leaning into leadership within SMPS.
Please introduce yourself! What is your current role and company? How many years experience do you have?
Hello! I'm Taylor Arias, CPSM, a Senior Marketing Coordinator at Dewberry, a 2,500-person planning, design, and construction firm. I'm on a 19-person northeast regional marketing team, where I primarily support our environmental unit through strategic pursuits, award submissions, and business development activities. I have ten years of experience in the A/E/C industry, with seven of those at Dewberry, and I am a Certified Professional Services Marketer. I value the continuous learning and complex challenges that come with the A/E/C industry.
What first inspired you to get involved with SMPS, and how has your career in the AEC industry evolved since then?
I was initially inspired to join SMPS because I'm a planner and hostess at heart, which led me to coordinate the New Jersey Affiliate’s quarterly networking events. I enjoy the logistics and maximizing the attendee experience. My involvement truly evolved during the pandemic when I planned engaging virtual events. For example, our 2021 Summer Olympics-themed event, which included activities like "Synchronized Diving: How to Navigate Opportunities," required me to be strategic and creative to combat virtual fatigue. That experience ultimately catalyzed my career evolution towards a more business development-focused role. Now, I manage our participation and engagement for regional and national conferences. My SMPS experience in strategic execution prepared me to manage these high-level events for my firm as well as learn from my SMPS colleagues on how they coordinate similar events.
As Vice President and previous New Jersey affiliate, what have been the most rewarding aspects of your leadership roles within SMPS-NY?
The most rewarding aspect has been the ability to invest in the professional development of our members and positively impact our community. On the development side, it’s watching committee members I've supported step up into larger roles in their firms. On the community side, it’s utilizing our platform for good, like leading the New Jersey Affiliate’s Winter Spirits and Spring Spirits events, which resulted in a large donation of goods and over $600 toward Nourish.NJ's 2025 Hunger Walk. Building that connection between professional networking and tangible community impact was extremely fulfilling.
How do you see SMPS-NY making a difference for its members, and what impact has it had on your own professional growth?
SMPS-NY makes a difference by providing the educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and networking essential to help members transition from a reactive to a strategic mindset. Programs like “Marketing Metrics That Matter: Proving ROI like a Pro” and the “CX Immersion” address our industry’s current challenges with demonstrating marketing ROI and implementing a robust client experience and feedback process.
Personally, SMPS-NY has provided a safe space to develop leadership skills that I couldn't fully expand on in my day-to-day role, especially in managing the New Jersey Affiliate committee and executing strategic planning for the overall chapter. This exposure has been fundamental in boosting my professional confidence and visibility within the A/E/C community.
What advice would you give to members—new or seasoned—looking to get more involved in SMPS?
First, start small and be specific. I suggest joining a committee that aligns with your professional interests. If you enjoy writing, then consider the Communications or Public Relations Committee. Or if you want to dabble in the logistics, then maybe consider the Programs or Special Events Committee.
Next is to volunteer for a task or project. Ask your committee chair what project or initiative you can support from start to finish. Maybe that’s taking on a press release or blog post for an upcoming event or planning the panel discussion for the next workshop.
If you’re a seasoned professional, I encourage you to volunteer as a speaker or panelist to pay your experience forward for others. We can learn so much from each other!
Outside of career-life, what are some hobbies or adventures you like to have?
Outside of work, I wear my 'planner' hat into my personal life. I love scouting out new neighborhoods and restaurants, both locally and internationally. So, I create detailed, curated itineraries to pack in as much sightseeing as possible, and develop custom maps with pinned locations for seamless travel. For balance and exercise, my husband and I are keen on getting outdoors. We enjoy exploring new county parks and trails throughout New Jersey to disconnect and stay active.
What excites you most about the future of SMPS-NY and the role it plays in shaping the AEC marketing community?
What excites me most is SMPS-NY's ongoing role in elevating our profession. We are moving beyond proposal preparation to becoming strategic advisors who drive client experience and firm growth. SMPS-NY is essential in supporting this shift, particularly by addressing industry disruptors like the use of AI and data analytics in marketing. I look forward to the chapter continuing to be an essential resource for collaboration for our members; where we can build and share best practices for the A/E/C marketing community.
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