Conference Committee
The Amplify A|E|C Committee, in collaboration with the SMPS staff, recommend education programming and strategic objectives that drive the success of the SMPS annual conference. The committee focuses on delivering exceptional content, fostering meaningful connections, and creating memorable experiences for attendees, ensuring the event continues to empower A/E/C professionals and advance the industry.
Meet the 2025 Conference Committee
2025 Conference Chair
COURTNEY VAN OSTRAN, FSMPS, CPSM
Associate Director of Marketing & Business Development
Courtney is a seasoned professional in the A/E/C industry, known for her strategic vision and dynamic leadership. With over two decades of experience in marketing and business development for A/E/C, Courtney leads the marketing and business development efforts for Tec Inc. Engineering & Design and is Co-Owner of Zinkon Creative Studio.
As a Fellow of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (FSMPS) and a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), Courtney shares her deep understanding of marketing and business development and has advanced marketing acumen and elevated industry standards in the organizations she’s worked with.
Courtney credits her career progression to the knowledge and insights she gained from SMPS and her network within it. Her experiences in SMPS solidified her commitment to the Society and her passion for mentoring others and creating impactful partnerships within the A/E/C community. Her active involvement on non-profit association boards has resulted in successful initiatives, particularly in the realm of mentorship, advocacy, and growth of marketing leadership.
Her contributions and active involvement in various capacities, including the Marketing Communications Awards, Heartland Regional Conference, and Content Co-Chair for Amplify A|E|C, underscore her dedication to empowering the next generation of AEC professionals.
Ashley’s 19-year career includes a breadth of roles from marketing, branding, communications, and business development to most recently human capital. She believes there is a powerful connection between the client and employee experience that defines the brand and company culture. Today, Ashley leads the strategic vision for client and employee experiences to ensure HITT delivers on its brand promise. While she has held many roles, her career centers on construction and a passion for the building industry. As a member of the firm’s executive committee, she advises HITT in strategic marketing, human capital, and branding. She is the executive sponsor for DE+I and the executive advisor to the firm’s Building Leaders employee resource group.
Ashley has been a passionate member of SMPS since 2006, chairing multiple committees and sitting on the Board of Directors at the Washington, DC Chapter for more than five years. In 2023, she was a member of the Amplify A|E|C Programming Committee.
Ida Cheinman is the Principal and Creative Director of the brand strategy, design, and digital firm Substance151, where she leads a multi-disciplined team of creative strategists and strategic creatives. Her work has earned numerous awards and industry recognition and has been published nationally and internationally.
Ida uses her 25 years of experience as a brand strategist, designer, marketer, and educator to help business leaders and marketing professionals make sense of trends, tools, and next practices in order to position their firms to win in the 21st century’s fast-changing and extremely competitive marketplace.
Ida is past president of SMPS Maryland and has held various leadership and advisory positions with SMPS Northeast Regional Conference (NERC), Striving for Excellence Awards, The Pinnacle Experience advisory committee, and currently serves on the SMPS Marketer editorial committee – just to name a few.
She is a sought-after speaker who excels at making complex information accessible and immediately applicable, blending her intimate familiarity with the A/E/C industry and fresh, cross-industry, cross-disciplinary perspective. Ida brings her passion and unwavering commitment to lifelong learning, education, and professional development to this committee.
Damion is on a mission to expedite the evolution of marketing in the A/E/C industry. A dynamic speaker and marketing leader, Damion delivers high-energy presentations that equip marketers with implementable strategies for increasing their influence, impact, and career success.
Damion’s down-to-earth humor invites audiences to laugh while they learn. He engages groups from the moment he steps in front of them and leaves them with empowering tools and focused mindsets they take with them long after his presentation. Damion believes everyone is a potential powerhouse of talents and is passionate about helping people recognize and maximize their “inner genius:” their innate gifts and abilities. He is especially inspired to help people take their careers – and themselves – to unprecedented levels.
As Marketing & Communications Manager for PCL Construction’s California Buildings District, he leads marketing strategy, activities, and initiatives for PCL’s largest and fastest-growing region at more than $1 billion in annual revenue. He is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), a past president of SMPS Los Angeles, and a contributor to the Marketer.
SMPS HQ STAFF
NANDI RICE, MA
Chief Growth & Marketing Officer
DANIELLE GRAY, MBA
Director, Content & Knowledge Resources
DEVIN STUBBS
Manager, Digital Marketing
LINDA SMOLKIN
Senior Manager, Marketing