Leah Boltz, CPSM
Since 2014
Active
SMPS Alaska member
AEC marketing professional
Leah leads comprehensive marketing, business development, and community outreach as Principal and Partner at Bettisworth North Architects and Planners, Alaska’s largest architectural firm founded in 1976. As a firm principal and owner, she drives strategic marketing leadership for an interdisciplinary 40-person team including architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and energy specialists operating from offices in both Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Her expertise spans architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, civic buildings, transportation infrastructure, and military installations across Alaska’s unique northern communities. Leah brings specialized knowledge in business development strategy, public relations, corporate communications, brand management, proposal management, and integrated marketing. With over 20 years of comprehensive experience in journalism, marketing, and communications, she has served prominent firms including CRW Engineering Group and GCI General Communication, Inc.
Her multidisciplinary background encompasses journalism, graphic design, web development, event planning, and nonprofit leadership, providing distinctive strategic communications expertise that elevates technical marketing effectiveness for complex northern design projects that strengthen Alaska communities.
Leah demonstrates extraordinary professional leadership through her CPSM certification, FSMPS Fellow designation (Class of 2022), and pioneering role co-founding SMPS Alaska Chapter in 2011. As one of Alaska’s first two CPSMs and a chapter co-founder, she helped establish professional services marketing infrastructure throughout America’s largest state, serving remote communities and AEC professionals across Alaska’s vast geography.
Her SMPS leadership journey includes serving as SMPS Alaska Chapter President (2012-2013), Immediate Past President and Society Liaison (2013-2014), Past Presidents Council Chair (2014-2015), and current Chapter Advisor. At the national level, Leah served on SMPS Build Business Programs Committee as MAX subcommittee chair and Technology Committee member, helping shape professional development programming and technology resources for members nationwide.
As a nationally recognized thought leader, Leah co-created the groundbreaking “Path to Principal” program with Adam Kilbourne, FSMPS, CPSM. This pioneering initiative interviewed 14 non-traditional AEC principals to discover common themes and create resources for non-technical professionals seeking firm ownership. Their research was featured as the cover story in SMPS Marketer magazine (May-June 2022), presented at multiple SMPS conferences, and developed into mentoring resources helping marketers nationwide pursue ownership paths.
Beyond SMPS, Leah demonstrates exceptional community leadership as Past President of Anchorage Rotary Club (2018-2019), Alaska’s largest Rotary club with 210 members. Her Rotary presidency managed board operations, membership, finances, projects, fundraising, programming, events, and volunteer committees supporting local and global service initiatives aligned with Rotary International’s “Service Above Self” motto.
Leah co-founded Parks For All, a nonprofit partnering with Alaska families to create inclusive playgrounds meeting diverse needs and providing healthy play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. The organization’s first project, the Playground for All at Cuddy Family Midtown Park in partnership with Anchorage Park Foundation, exemplifies her commitment to accessible community spaces.
Her published works include contributions to SMPS publications on global pandemic impacts and social entrepreneurship. Her recognition includes being named ENR Midwest Top 40 Under 40, honoring emerging leaders transforming the construction industry. She serves on the University of Alaska Anchorage College of Business and Public Policy Advisory Board and chairs the SMPS Alaska Mentorship Program, having mentored five up-and-coming marketers since the program’s inception.
Her educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska Anchorage, with additional studies in English, Marketing, and Chemistry from Montana State University. Her journalism background includes editorial roles at The MILEPOST travel publication and Standard Herald newspaper, combining investigative reporting skills with creative communications expertise.
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