Kelly Sternberg, CPSM
Since 2023
Active
SMPS Southeast Michigan member
AEC marketing professional
Kelly leads marketing automation and AI enablement for Barton Malow, a century-old construction firm headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, recognized nationally for industrial, healthcare, educational, and major event facilities including stadiums and convention centers. In her role, she focuses on enabling smarter, more scalable marketing through automation, data, and responsible use of artificial intelligence, partnering across the organization to improve how work gets done while ensuring technology supports people rather than replacing human judgment.
Her expertise spans marketing systems architecture and automation platforms, artificial intelligence implementation and ethical deployment, change management and organizational enablement, brand strategy and corporate communications, and digital asset management systems. Kelly brings specialized knowledge in marketing operations optimization, helping teams strengthen decision-making through data while unlocking creativity and efficiency across marketing functions.
With 20+ years at Barton Malow and comprehensive AEC industry experience, Kelly has progressed through marketing coordinator, systems manager, senior marketing manager, communications manager, and director-level brand and communications leadership roles. Her background combines technical expertise with strategic marketing leadership, reflected in her BBA in Computer Information Systems from Western Michigan University and her Certified Change Practitioner designation supporting organizational transformation initiatives.
Kelly exemplifies exceptional AEC marketing leadership, honored in 2023 as a Fellow of the Society for Marketing Professional Services—an elite designation recognizing the highest level of experience and leadership in the profession. Her Fellow recognition places her among the industry’s most accomplished professionals who demonstrate sustained excellence in marketing and business development within the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.
As an active contributor to SMPS programming and professional development, Kelly has served multiple years as a juror for the national SMPS Marketing Communication Awards, evaluating excellence in marketing campaigns, collateral, and digital communications across the AEC industry. Her expertise in marketing systems, digital transformation, and emerging technologies positions her as a thought leader helping firms navigate the evolving landscape of marketing automation and artificial intelligence implementation.
Kelly’s commitment to professional development extends beyond SMPS to broader civic leadership. She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class XLIII, a prestigious program developing leaders who advance metropolitan Detroit’s economic, social, and civic future. Her participation reflects a dedication to community engagement that complements her professional marketing excellence.
Recognized with the Ben C. Maibach Jr. Leader Award at Barton Malow, Kelly received this prestigious internal honor given annually to one team member exemplifying exceptional leadership qualities modeled by Ben Maibach Jr., whose career spanned from laborer in 1938 to Chairman Emeritus. This recognition demonstrates her impact not only in marketing but across the entire organization through leadership that inspires collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
Kelly has contributed thought leadership to the AEC marketing profession through published articles in industry media, including pieces on digital asset management systems, client satisfaction program development, and search engine optimization strategies for professional services firms. Her technical background combined with marketing expertise enables unique perspectives on leveraging technology to enhance marketing effectiveness while maintaining the human-centered approach essential to relationship-driven professional services.
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