Karen Santoro, CPSM
Since 2004
Active
SMPS San Diego member
AEC marketing professional
Karen drives strategic proposal development for one of the nation’s leading engineering and consulting firms at Michael Baker International, where she supports a comprehensive portfolio spanning infrastructure, transportation, water, environmental, and federal programs. As Proposal Strategist, she leads proposal strategy development, content management, and pursuit coordination for a global firm with more than 90 offices and 5,000+ professionals dedicated to solving complex infrastructure challenges.
Her expertise encompasses transportation infrastructure, water resources, environmental consulting, and federal program development across public sector clients including state departments of transportation, municipal agencies, and federal entities. Karen brings specialized knowledge in strategic positioning, proposal management, and pursuit planning, with deep experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and developing winning strategies. With over 20 years of AEC industry experience, she has contributed to marketing excellence at prominent firms including CRB, Kimley-Horn, Psomas, Group Delta, and Cotton, Shires & Associates.
Her comprehensive understanding of proposal development and strategic positioning enables effective marketing support for complex infrastructure projects, helping position Michael Baker’s full-service capabilities for competitive advantage.
Karen demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through her CPSM certification achievement and distinguished service as Past President of SMPS San Diego, where she led one of the most dynamic chapters in the Pacific region during the 2021-2022 board year. Her presidential leadership involved guiding chapter programming, coordinating professional development initiatives, and supporting hundreds of AEC marketing professionals throughout Southern California during a transformative period for the industry.
As SMPS San Diego Past President, Karen contributed to programming that included monthly educational events, professional development workshops, committee coordination, and member engagement initiatives that advance the regional AEC marketing community. Her presidential service reflects the collaborative leadership and strategic thinking that characterizes successful proposal management in the engineering and consulting sector.
Karen brings extensive experience in professional development, having earned her CPSM designation and maintaining active engagement in continuing education through SMPS programming. Her leadership history spans multiple committees including Programs, Membership, and Professional Development, demonstrating sustained commitment to advancing the AEC marketing profession.
Her 20+ years of experience spanning multiple prominent AEC firms provides valuable industry perspective that enhances both individual and organizational professional excellence across infrastructure, life sciences, and consulting sectors.
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