Meet the 2025-2026 SMPS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Board of Directors!

Meet our new Board! The SMPS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (SFBAC) 2025/2026 board term runs from September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. Board members influence important chapter decisions, test out new marketing strategies, and foster a sense of community within the industry while bolstering their leadership skills and professional credibility. Please join us in welcoming the following board members, and learn a bit more about each of them:

PRESIDENT

Marilynn Stratton, CPSM   Chief Marketing Officer   Kier + Wright   [email protected]

Marilynn Stratton, CPSM, is the Chief Marketing Officer at Kier + Wright and KWRE, where she’s driven both brands’ rapid expansion and redefined their marketing strategies. Marilynn’s innovative leadership has built an award-winning team, elevating the firm’s brand and mission to new heights. Known for excellence and consistently pushing boundaries, her mentorship fuels a vibrant team culture that thrives on creativity and continuous improvement. She received the 2023 SMPS SF Sandy D’Elia Marketer of the Year award for her outstanding contributions and impact on the industry. A Slytherin at heart, Marilynn is fiercely competitive and is always in it to win it!

INCOMING PRESIDENT

Kate Blocker   Principal   communiKate   [email protected]

Kate Blocker possesses almost 40 years of award-winning global marketing experience. A seasoned marketeer, her expertise spans all facets of professional service, business-to-business and consumer/retail marketing, in both the high tech and A/E/C industries. She is Principal and Founder of communiKate, her independent marketing consultancy, where she provides strategic marketing guidance, planning and project management to a variety of clients. Highly strategic and creative, she is a master at branding, messaging, positioning and all-things marketing communications–across digital, live and print disciplines. 

She has been involved in SMPS-SF since joining the Business Leaders Forum in 2017, serving on the Board in 2020-21 as Co-Director of Outreach & Development and overseeing Mentoring Pathways from 2020-23. A graduate of Santa Clara University, Kate has been active in her community, supporting organizations such as St. Catherine Parish and School, Morgan Hill Pony Baseball, and the Princess Project of Silicon Valley. Her mantra: With change, comes opportunity. Seize it!

SECRETARY

Talina Hansen   Strategic Pursuit Manager   Blach Construction   [email protected]

Talina Hansen has been an active member of SMPS since 2010 and currently serves as Secretary and Chair of the DEI Committee for the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. She previously held the role of Director of DEI for two years, helping to shape meaningful programs that elevate diverse voices and perspectives within our chapter. In her professional role as Strategic Pursuit Manager at Blach Construction, Talina leads efforts in CRM management, data strategy, business development, and marketing operations, supporting teams in building strong client relationships and winning work. Talina lives with her husband, three children, and a cat. She loves exploring new restaurants, cooking, gardening, and getting lost in a good book.

TREASURER

Elaine Moal, CPSM   Director of Business Development   Affiliated Engineers, Inc. - AEI   [email protected]

Elaine Moal is Director of Business Development at AEI, where she combines her passion for building relationships with a keen focus on strategy, helping clients succeed and grow. With over a decade in the A/E/C industry, she’s known for bringing creativity, empathy, and energy into every project—whether it’s crafting compelling proposals, nurturing teams, or finding new opportunities in unexpected places.

As she begins her second year as Treasurer on the SMPS Executive Board, Elaine loves contributing her skills to support SMPS’ mission — creating value, connection, and growth for a community she deeply believes in. Outside of work, she thrives on mentoring, exploring new places, and connecting with people whose stories inspire her.

 AT-LARGE (SPONSORSHIP, RECRUITMENT, DEI)

Kat Marovich   Marketing Manager   Summit Engineering   [email protected]

Kat is the Marketing Manager at Summit Engineering, a multidiscipline engineering firm based in Santa Rosa. She specializes in marketing and business development strategy, building client relationships, and crafting messaging that reflects Summit’s reputation as a key player in the North Bay. In her role of Director at Large for the chapter, Kat will help oversee the DEI Committee, Recruitment, and Sponsorships for the 2025-26 board year. She is delighted to serve on the Board of Directors this year and looks forward to contributing to the chapter’s growth and success. 

MEMBERSHIP

Lauren Fantuzzi   Senior Marketing Pursuits Specialist   Swinerton   [email protected]

Lauren is passionate about building connections and ensuring that every member feels engaged and supported within the SMPS community. As Membership Director, she helps members get the most value from their involvement by providing access to resources, creating networking opportunities, and fostering meaningful connections. She is dedicated to making sure members feel welcomed, informed, and plugged into the vibrant SMPS SFBAC network.

PROGRAMS

Rebekah McMenamin, CPSM   Marketing Manager   HOK    [email protected]

Rebekah McMenamin, CPSM, EDAC, LEED GA, is a skilled marketing professional with extensive experience in the architecture and engineering sectors. Currently serving as a Senior Associate and Marketing Manager at HOK since August 2016, Rebekah previously held positions at HDR and HOK, where responsibilities included leading marketing initiatives and coordination. Rebekah's career began at Harris & Associates as a Marketing Coordinator. Rebekah earned a degree in English from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2006.

COMMUNICATIONS 

Sarah Katsikas   Marketing Manager   Altura   [email protected]

Sarah is a seasoned visual communications and marketing strategy expert with nearly two decades of experience across civic, healthcare, and A/E/C industries. As Marketing Manager at Altura, she drives go-to-market strategy, thought leadership, and creative campaigns that engage audiences and elevate brand impact. Within SMPS SFBAC, Sarah first served as graphics lead on the Communications Committee and now steps into the Communications Director role, where she’s focused on consistent, branded messaging that inspires connection and involvement. Curious about how e-blasts come together, love writing, or have an eye for graphics? Join Sarah and the Communications Committee—we’d love to have you on our team!

FUTURE & EMERGING MARKETERS

Veronica Ritona   Director of Marketing   Cahill Contractors LLC   [email protected]

Veronica has been an active SMPS member since 2012 and is passionate about cultivating the next generation of A/E/C marketers. As Marketing Director at Cahill Contractors, she leads marketing, communications, and business development initiatives while guiding a dynamic marketing team and advancing the firm’s external presence. In her role as SMPS Future & Emerging Marketers Director, she focuses on creating opportunities for mentorship, student outreach, and leadership development to help rising professionals thrive in the industry. She is dedicated to building stronger connections among professionals, clients, and partners, and to ensuring that emerging leaders feel supported and engaged within the SMPS community.