Michele Raftery, CPSM
Since 2014
Active
SMPS Colorado member
AEC marketing professional
Michele leads comprehensive marketing strategy, business development, and research initiatives for one of Denver’s most dynamic mid-sized architecture firms. As Principal and Partner at 4240 Architecture, she oversees project pursuits, marketing operations, office management, and human resources while contributing visioning, analytics, and graphic design expertise to project teams. Her firm serves clients ranging from higher education institutions to resort hospitality developments across diverse geographic regions.
Her expertise spans multiple AEC sectors including hospitality, multi-family residential, senior housing, commercial office, government facilities, and higher education projects. Michele brings specialized knowledge in architectural marketing for both public and private sector clients, with experience supporting projects ranging from local community developments to international assignments reaching as far as Hong Kong, with project values up to $500 million.
With over 17 years of AEC marketing leadership experience, Michele combines strategic business development acumen with deep understanding of design processes. Her educational foundation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in architecture, interior architecture, and design objects informs her unique perspective on marketing professional design services.
Michele demonstrates exceptional national and regional leadership through her current service as President of the SMPS Foundation (2024-2025), following multiple terms as Foundation Trustee since 2021. Her Foundation leadership focuses on advancing research that informs AEC marketing practices and using data-driven insights to support professional excellence across the industry. She champions initiatives that bridge traditional practices with emerging technologies while preserving the unique differentiation that defines successful firms.
As SMPS Colorado Past President (2016-17), Michele contributed significantly to chapter programming and professional development. Her Leonardo Award recognition (2020-21)—SMPS Colorado’s most prestigious honor—acknowledges her sustained contributions to advancing professional services marketing standards and her visible, results-oriented leadership throughout the Colorado AEC community.
Elevated to SMPS Fellow status in 2023 (Class of 2023), Michele joins an elite group of professionals demonstrating at least 15 years of marketing expertise and 10+ years of active SMPS involvement. Her Fellowship recognizes sustained commitment to serving members, advancing the profession, and providing mentorship that elevates the entire AEC marketing community.
Beyond SMPS, Michele serves as Chair of Mission Advancement for ULI Colorado (2023-2025), previously chairing the Explorer Committee (2019-2022). She contributed to ACUHO-I’s Facilities Committee (2018-2020), demonstrating her commitment to cross-industry collaboration that advances the built environment.
Michele’s thought leadership includes authoring articles for SMPS publications, including “Cut Through the Noise: Turn Action Into Impact” as Foundation President, and contributing insights on adaptive reuse for Urban Land Institute. She regularly presents at industry conferences including the Client Experience Professional Summit (CXps) and ACEC Business Development & Marketing Forum.
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