Natalie Pagano, CPSM
Since 2010
Active
SMPS Oklahoma member
AEC marketing professional
Natalie leads enterprise-wide marketing and communications strategy for Manhattan Construction Group, a top-performing construction services firm operating across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. As Director of Marketing & Communication, she guides branding, pursuit strategies, digital presence, and public relations for seven operating companies, aligning brand messaging with business development goals to drive growth and elevate organizational reputation in competitive markets.
Her specialized expertise spans construction marketing across commercial, infrastructure, healthcare, education, sports facilities, and institutional sectors serving both public and private clients. Natalie brings distinctive knowledge in cross-functional team leadership, award-winning content development, digital marketing strategy, and AI integration for marketing workflows. She has built Manhattan’s marketing department from the ground up, launching multi-platform digital strategies and developing proprietary marketing systems that showcase the company’s 127-year legacy of excellence, safety, and innovation.
With over 28 years at Manhattan Construction, Natalie has contributed to marketing excellence throughout her tenure—from marketing coordinator roles through her current executive leadership position. Her journalism and broadcasting education from Oklahoma State University and participation in the inaugural SMPS University Leadership Advancement Program through the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business have shaped her strategic approach to construction marketing.
Natalie demonstrates exceptional industry leadership as a Fellow of SMPS (FSMPS), representing the highest level of professional recognition in marketing and business development within the design and building industry. Honored in 2023 at the Amplify A|E|C conference in Austin, Texas, she joins an elite group representing less than 2% of SMPS’s 7,000 members who hold the Fellow designation. As an SMPS Fellow, Natalie serves as a resource to the Society and its chapters, providing insight, ideas, programs, and mentoring support to advance the profession across the AEC industries.
Her significant national SMPS contributions include serving as Southern Regional Conference Co-Chair, Keynote Chair, and Sponsorship Chair, coordinating major professional development events that benefit hundreds of AEC marketing professionals throughout the southern United States. At the chapter level, Natalie has served on the SMPS Oklahoma board as Education Director and Senior Chapter Advisor, shaping programming that supports career advancement and professional excellence.
Natalie has contributed her expertise as a seven-time SMPS Marketing Communication Awards (MCA) juror, evaluating hundreds of marketing and communications projects to identify industry excellence and best practices. Her judging service across multiple years demonstrates sustained commitment to recognizing and elevating exceptional work in the profession. She was honored with the 2023 SMPS Guiding Light Member Award, recognizing her outstanding volunteer contributions and impact on the Society.
As a member of the inaugural graduating class of the SMPS University Leadership Advancement Program through the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland (2011), Natalie participated in pioneering leadership development that has become a cornerstone program for emerging AEC marketing leaders. Her completion of this program positioned her to mentor subsequent cohorts and champion professional development throughout her career.
Natalie’s award-winning work has garnered national recognition through 40+ award submissions earning top honors for Manhattan Construction’s projects and programs. Her creative direction and editorial leadership of TEAMWORK magazine—chronicling the construction of Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers—earned two prestigious 2021 Maggie Awards: Best Overall Publication/Trade and Best Annual, Semi, Three-time, Quarterly/Trade Winner. She also served as content editor and developer of Manhattan’s history book, which received two national Marketing Communication Awards including the Award of Excellence in Internal Communication – Print category (2023).
Beyond her professional achievements, Natalie is a founding member of Manhattan’s BuildHER network, championing women in construction and creating opportunities for professional advancement and mentorship within the industry.
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