Member Spotlight | Olivia Sardina
Posted by [email protected] on Oct. 20, 2025 / Subscribe 0
At Facilitec, Olivia is the Marketing Designer. She assists in elevating the firm's digital presence to better reflect their incredible culture and services. With the SMPS St. Louis Chapter, Olivia's involvement has evolved a lot in the last year. She joined SMPS on the programs committee and has since graduated to better serve the A/E/C marketing community as Director at Large.
What motivated you to apply for the chapter's Amplify AEC Conference Scholarship?
In my first year in the industry, I have grown and learned a lot. I give a lot of credit to SMPS for connecting me with peers and friends that have helped me grow in my role. I applied for the Amplify scholarship to continue that education and be able to connect with the St. Louis chapter. This was my first out of town conference, and I probably would not have been able to attend if it weren't for this scholarship.
What did you find to be the most memorable part of the conference? What were your biggest takeaways?
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The most memorable part of the conference was continuing to grow my relationships with the SMPS St. Louis chapter. I learned a lot from the sessions as well, but the relationships that grew from this conference are what will stick with me for the rest of my career.
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The sessions were packed with great insights in branding, business strategy, proposal management, thought leadership, and so much more. Alex Sheen truly set the tone for the conference in his keynote titled ‘Because I Said I Would.’ Alex broke down what it means to be a person of your word. He inspired us all to hold ourselves accountable and provided us with actionable ways to fulfill commitments and expectations.
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One of my biggest “aha” moments came from a presentation titled “Differentiating your Differentiators” with Jenifer Bertz and Diane Rutledge. “You can’t connect the dots until you collect them.” It sounds so simple, but I have spent so much time trying to start with the big picture, pushing for clarity, strategy, and direction, without first slowing down to gather the insight, context, and conversations that make those connections possible.
If someone is thinking about attending Amplify next year in Las Vegas, how would you advise them to maximize their experience?
I would advise anyone attending the conference to get out of their comfort zone! Start the conversation! Not every interaction needs to end in a business card exchange. Not only did I gain confidence in talking to people in a professional setting, but I also got more out of the sessions by having conversations with the people around me. For me, the conversations post session were often more impactful and memorable than the session itself.
What do you think is the most unique feature of the SMPS St. Louis Chapter?
I think the most unique feature of the SMPS St. Louis chapter is the community. I know exactly where to go when I have a question about marketing, the industry, or even life in the working world. As a solo marketer and a recent graduate, it has been a huge benefit to have this chapter supporting me and showing me ways that I can be a support to others.
If you had unlimited time, how would you spend it?
If I had unlimited time, I’d dedicate it to helping small businesses grow, building strong brands, crafting meaningful logos, and creating a powerful online presence. I love supporting people who have the courage to start something of their own and helping them turn their passion into success.
What is your favorite activity in St. Louis?
My favorite activity in St. Louis would have to be the St. Louis Zoo. It is such a cool place to spend the day, enjoy the weather, enjoy the company of friends and family, and learn about wildlife and the world in general. There is so much to discover at the STL Zoo, and I learn something new every time I go. It is the first place I take friends and family visiting from out of town. Plus, it's free!!
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