Alexandra Thornburg, CPSM
Since 2024
Active
SMPS Nebraska member
AEC marketing professional
Alexandra leads comprehensive federal marketing strategy, proposal coordination, and operations excellence for HDR, one of the world’s premier architecture and engineering firms with over 107 years of excellence. As Senior Federal Marketing Coordinator based in Omaha, Nebraska, she drives proposal development, marketing operations, and business development support across HDR’s East Region Federal Marketing team serving federal agencies, military installations, and government infrastructure projects nationwide.
Her expertise spans AEC marketing operations with specialized knowledge in federal sector proposal management, process optimization, marketing systems development, business development coordination, and operational efficiency initiatives across architecture, engineering, environmental services, and infrastructure design disciplines. Alexandra brings exceptional ability to create processes and procedures that help departments become more organized and efficient—described by colleagues as having “a unique ability to look at the department’s overall operations objectively, identify areas that need improvement, understand the impacts of major and minor changes as a whole, and provide harmonious solutions that support the entire team.”
With over 10 years of professional experience in the AEC industry including five years at Henderson Engineers (2015-2020) where she was “undoubtedly a key player in the success of the department and firm,” Alexandra has built a distinguished career characterized by operational excellence, strategic thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement. Her comprehensive knowledge of HDR’s full-service capabilities—encompassing architecture, engineering, environmental consulting, construction services, and planning across federal, transportation, water, energy, and buildings markets—enables effective federal marketing coordination for a firm with 11,000+ employees serving clients in over 60 countries.
Alexandra demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through her CPSM certification achievement (earned 2024), active service as Communications Director on the SMPS Nebraska Board of Directors, and recognition for operational excellence that transforms marketing department effectiveness. Her board leadership with SMPS Nebraska positions her as a key contributor to chapter communications strategy, member engagement, and professional development programming supporting AEC marketing professionals throughout Nebraska.
As Communications Director, Alexandra oversees chapter communications including member outreach, event promotion, newsletter development, and digital engagement strategies that strengthen SMPS Nebraska’s connection with its membership base. This volunteer leadership demonstrates commitment to advancing the AEC marketing profession beyond individual firm success, contributing to industry-wide professional development and knowledge sharing.
Her marketing philosophy emphasizes process optimization and systems thinking—approaches that have earned praise from colleagues who describe her “unique ability to look at the department’s overall operations objectively, identify areas that need improvement, understand the impacts of major and minor changes as a whole, and provide harmonious solutions that support the entire team.” This systematic approach to marketing operations creates efficiency gains, reduces bottlenecks, and enables marketing teams to focus on strategic activities rather than administrative obstacles.
Alexandra’s five-year tenure at Henderson Engineers (2015-2020) provided foundation for operational excellence expertise. During this period, colleagues noted that “every day, Alexandra utilized her marketing, communication, and business development skills to make a genuine impact,” establishing processes and procedures that helped the marketing department become more organized and efficient. Her ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail has become a professional hallmark.
Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development—”her desire to continually learn, improve, and add to her skill set”—drives ongoing advancement in marketing operations, federal sector expertise, and leadership capabilities. This growth mindset supports both personal career progression and contributions to team development, creating positive impact extending beyond individual project success.
Alexandra’s educational foundation from University of Nebraska at Omaha combined with progressive AEC industry experience provides comprehensive perspective on marketing operations, federal sector requirements, and organizational effectiveness that enhances her contributions to HDR’s federal marketing success.
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