**Recorded live at the 2024 SMPS Pacific Regional Conference in Portland, Oregon**

Ryn (Kathryn) Bennett, MPH, is a non-binary 40 under 40 award winner, world-record-holding strongman competitor, celebrated TEDx and Ignite speaker, and advocate for developing mental toughness. They are the author of Productive Pain, a personal memoir and inspirational guide. With a background in social and behavioral health and process improvement, Ryn’s professional career spans industries including tech, healthcare, and engineering/construction. Ryn used the mental fortitude and tenacity they learned in the gym to advance their career and overcome burnout, working from an entry-level process improvement role into a director position. Ryn is a Certified Professional Services Marketer and is nationally ranked as a strongman competitor. They are passionate about helping others develop the mental tenacity and internal strength they need to succeed, no matter the adversity they’re facing.

The podcast picks up after Ryn’s keynote. A few excerpts from the keynote have been included for context, but the podcast discussion does not depend on having heard the address.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites/

You’ve heard of common sense and street sense. Get ready for farm sense, as doled out by SMPS Weld Cox awardee, Donna Corlew, FSMPS, CPSM. Learn how this self-described farm girl got her start, what she sees as the biggest changes in AEC marketing and BD, and what today’s marketers can do for themselves to get ahead. Deirdre and Donna bless all the hearts in this uplifting look at our craft.  

A native Tennessean, Donna Corlew’s roots run deep in Southern hospitality, a culture of giving, and an abiding love of SEC football and Nashville Predators hockey. Don’t let that Southern twang fool you – under the surface lies the heart and soul of a Steel Magnolia driven by a passion for coaching and helping architects, engineers, and builders identify and maximize their unique talents and expertise. She works with AEC firms across the country to focus strategic vision and market research, grow connections and chemistry with clients and prospects, and help technical staff and marketing and business development professionals to thrive and win profitable work. With over 700 technical professionals trained as effective doer-sellers, Donna brings an understanding of the AEC market and a proven track record of performance and results.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnacorlew/ 

Resource links:

Patrick Lencioni, The Ideal Team Player, available on amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Team-Player-Recognize-Cultivate-ebook/dp/B01B6AEJJ0  

Catch Donna at these conferences:

https://convention.agc.org

https://smps-serc.org

https://smpsmvrc.com

https://smpsheartland.org

https://smpsheartland.org

https://www.amplifyaec.org/

Music by RomanSenykMusic on Pixabay. www.pixabay.com