Stacy Cunningham, CPSM
Since NA
Active
SMPS Central Ohio member
AEC marketing professional
Stacy brings exceptional strategic leadership and B2B marketing expertise to construction management and executive operations, currently serving as Executive Assistant to the President at Ascension Construction Solutions, a woman-owned construction planning, management, and inspection firm. She collaborates closely with executive leadership to advance company initiatives, drive strategic priorities, and support organizational goals through effective communication and coordination while managing marketing initiatives that enhance brand visibility and growth.
Her distinguished career spans over 25 years in AEC marketing and business development, with particular expertise in diverse procurement processes including DBE, MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, HUB Zone, and mentor-protégé programs. Stacy excels at interfacing with C-level executives and building relationships with public and private sector clients across healthcare, education, municipal, and commercial markets throughout the Midwest and beyond.
With an MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University and comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, local, and municipal procurement initiatives, Stacy specializes in strategic marketing planning, business development, team leadership, and supplier diversity programs that create inclusive opportunities and drive measurable growth for engineering, architecture, and construction firms.
Stacy demonstrates extraordinary professional leadership through both her CPSM certification and her prestigious FSMPS designation, representing the highest level of achievement in AEC marketing. As a Fellow of SMPS, she has been recognized for sustained excellence and exceptional contributions to advancing the professional services marketing profession through decades of dedicated service and national leadership.
Her most significant leadership contribution came through her two-year term as SMPS Foundation Trustee (September 2021 – August 2023), where she served at the national level alongside industry leaders to govern the Foundation’s research initiatives, scholarship programs, and professional development resources. During her trustee service, Stacy championed the SMPS Foundation Zinsmeyer Scholarship partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), providing critical financial assistance to students interested in AEC careers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As an HBCU graduate herself (Wilberforce University), she brought authentic passion and perspective to expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the AEC industry.
Beyond her Foundation leadership, Stacy has been a pioneering voice for supplier diversity and inclusive procurement practices throughout her career. As a panelist for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s DBE Proposal Writing panel discussion, she shared expertise on navigating certification processes and creating opportunities for diverse businesses. Her work procuring DBE, MBE, and WBE vendors across multiple firms has directly contributed to strengthening diversity initiatives and creating pathways for minority-owned businesses in the AEC industry.
Stacy’s commitment to professional development extends to mentoring emerging professionals and students. She has advised students in The Ohio State University PREFACE Program on marketing and business branding, coached local high school students through the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) STEM Program, and partnered with Columbus City Schools’ mentoring program to introduce students to engineering careers. She co-directed internship programs with Project Lead the Way and interviewed engineering interns, actively cultivating the next generation of AEC professionals.
Her leadership in employee engagement, culture-building, and social responsibility demonstrates comprehensive organizational impact beyond traditional marketing roles. At her previous firm, she served on the employee-led Employee Engagement Committee and founded the Spreading Hope donation committee from conception through implementation, creating criteria, developing scoring matrices, and evaluating applicants to support community organizations.
Achievements:
