Member Spotlight | Carie Dunn
Posted by [email protected] on Jul. 6, 2026 / Subscribe 0
Carie serves as the Director of Marketing at Trivers and has been with the firm for 23 years. Trivers is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm that serves clients across the civic, education, hospitality, housing, wellness, and workplace sectors, creating innovative new spaces while also preserving and revitalizing historic places. Her role allows her to support the talented teams behind that work by leading strategic marketing efforts, helping position the firm for new opportunities, and sharing the stories of projects that create a lasting, positive consequence.
She has been a member of SMPS St. Louis since 2003 and earned her Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) designation in 2008. Carie has been actively involved in the organization throughout her career, serving eight consecutive years on the chapter board in multiple roles including Secretary, Treasurer and President. In addition to board service, she has participated on a variety of local, regional and national SMPS committees and has had opportunities to serve as a speaker and a juror for multiple award programs. Carie currently serves on the St. Louis Chapter Board as Treasurer, returning to a role she previously held for two separate terms.
You previously served on the SMPS Board in various positions and are now serving as Treasurer. What inspired you to return to the board, and why do you believe board service is important for SMPS members?
I served eight consecutive years on the board as Secretary, President-Elect, President, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer for two separate two-year terms; after that, it was time to give others the opportunity to serve. Although I remained a member, I had stepped away from chapter leadership for a number of years. Over time, I found myself missing the connections and sense of purpose that came with being more actively involved. As I was considering ways to reconnect with the chapter, Kelli Manegre and Julia Pluff reached out and asked if I would consider returning as Treasurer. The timing was perfect, and I was excited for the opportunity to reconnect and contribute to the chapter once again.
Serving on a committee or the board can completely change your SMPS experience. During my first few years as a member, I attended programs but never felt fully connected to the organization. That changed when I became more involved in chapter leadership. Board service gave me the opportunity to help shape the chapter, support educational and networking opportunities for our members, and contribute to the overall success of the organization. It also helped me build meaningful relationships with industry peers and develop a much deeper connection to SMPS. When you invest your time and talents in the organization, SMPS becomes more than just a professional association; it becomes a community. Knowing your efforts help create value and opportunities for fellow members is incredibly rewarding.
As a longtime member of the chapter, what reasons would you give someone who is considering joining SMPS?
SMPS is one of the best investments you can make in your professional development. It offers opportunities to learn from industry peers, stay current on trends and best practices, build valuable professional connections, and develop leadership skills that can benefit you throughout your career. Many of the relationships I've built through SMPS have lasted for decades and have become an invaluable part of my professional network. I would also encourage new members to get involved beyond simply attending events. Volunteering on a committee or board can completely transform your experience; it certainly did for me. The more you put into SMPS, the more you get out of it, both professionally and personally.
Do you remember your first SMPS “friend” when you started attending events? Have you stayed connected over the years?
It was so long ago that I can’t remember exactly who my first SMPS friend was, but I quickly connected with Michelle Yates, Cindy Hausler, and Stacy Robben. More than 20 years later, we’re still good friends. In fact, Michelle, Cindy, and I recently took a road trip to Wisconsin for Stacy’s wedding! One of the greatest benefits of SMPS is the lasting friendships you build along the way.
How did you get your start in the AEC industry? What advice would you give to those just beginning their careers?
Does anyone actually set out to become an AEC marketer? Like many recent graduates, I interviewed for a lot of different jobs and probably would have accepted any of them simply because I needed a job. But after interviewing with Parsons, I knew that was the one I really wanted. Thankfully, I got the opportunity, and I’ve been part of the AEC industry ever since.
My advice to those just starting out is to be willing to learn, work hard, and ask questions. This industry will challenge you, and there will be times when you're balancing multiple deadlines and wearing more hats than you ever imagined. But it’s also an industry filled with talented people who are willing to share their knowledge. Take every opportunity to learn, build relationships, and get involved. The hard work pays off, and the connections you make can last an entire career.
What excites you most about the work you do and the contributions you make to your firm?
We have incredibly talented people who are delivering projects that make a lasting, positive impact on our communities. One of the aspects of my job I enjoy most is helping showcase the accomplishments of our people and projects. Whether it's strategizing on a pursuit, developing a compelling award nomination, or helping elevate the visibility of our team and work, I enjoy telling those stories and helping others understand the impact they are making. Seeing our people and projects recognized for the positive difference they make is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What has been your all-time favorite vacation—and why?
In 2003, I made the first of what would become many trips to Lake Pomme de Terre. A friend had been trying to convince me to join them for quite a while, and I reluctantly agreed. I was new at Trivers and couldn’t take time off yet, so I drove down by myself after work on Friday evening. To make matters worse, I had traded cars with my dad, and my car was stolen from his office parking lot that same day. I made the three-hour drive frustrated, distracted, and convinced I was going to hate fishing. As it turns out, it took about two minutes in the boat for me to fall in love with it. I drove back the very next weekend to go fishing again and have returned every year since. What started as a trip I almost didn’t take became a lifelong tradition, countless memories with friends, and one of my favorite places to unwind and recharge.
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