Member Spotlight | Madeleine Warren and Sarah Fine
Posted by [email protected] on Sep. 16, 2026 / Subscribe 0
Participating in this year’s Mentor Program are mentees Madeleine Warren of Subsurface Constructors and Sarah Fine of Guarantee Electrical Company. As the first dedicated marketing coordinator at Subsurface Constructors, Madeleine is tasked with establishing the firm’s marketing approach alongside managing daily responsibilities. Sarah Fine serves as a communications manager, overseeing internal and external communications, event coordination, and content production. Both were interviewed to share key takeaways from the program, reflect on their experience, and discuss the guidance provided by their mentors, Madeleine’s mentor, Julia Pluff with Farnsworth Group, and Sarah’s mentor, Jennifer Hasamear, CPSM with ArchKey Solutions.
Madeleine: Sarah, what led you to participate in this year’s Mentor Program, and what benefits do you think there are for both the mentees and the mentors?
Sarah: I transitioned into AEC marketing from an unrelated industry, and while I was confident in my skills, I was less confident in my general industry knowledge. I applied to the mentorship program to grow my industry knowledge, as well as to benefit from the perspective of someone who had worked at multiple companies in multiple roles and understood this industry's opportunities and pitfalls (mostly opportunities, I hope) firsthand.
Sarah: With only a couple months left of the program, Madeleine, what are your thoughts on the program? Your mentor? And do you think your relationship with your mentor will end after the program ends?
Madeleine: I’ve already found it to be a valuable experience. Having someone who understands the AEC industry and has more experience than I do has given me a different perspective on my career and the challenges I’ve faced in my role. I’ve especially appreciate having someone I can openly ask questions and talk through ideas with.
Sarah: My experience learning from and working with my mentor has been great! I have a much stronger grasp of what opportunities this industry holds, as well as a clearer idea of how to navigate them. That's not to mention that I just enjoy our lunches and catching up before we get into the nitty-gritty career talk. I'm confident that our friendship will outlast the mentorship program.
Madeleine: Sarah, can you share a specific AEC marketing challenge where your mentor's guidance and outside perspective helped you move forward?
Sarah: While it may not be industry-specific, my mentor has been a great coach in the way that she has helped me understand what my next career step should be, as well as understand the specific steps I can take to get there. She has also encouraged me to advocate for myself as a professional based on my skills rather than on my industry-specific experience, and I have already seen payoff in the feedback I'm receiving from my colleagues and manager.
Madeleine: Early on, my biggest challenge was building a marketing strategy from scratch for a company that never had a dedicated marketing role. Key questions centered on time prioritization, high-impact initiatives, and demonstrating marketing's value in a business development-driven industry. Discussing these issues with my mentor provided an invaluable external perspective, helping me step back to think strategically and realize that building a strong foundation was a major accomplishment.
Sarah: Madeleine, as a mentee, what will be your ultimate takeaways from the program and your one-on-ones with your mentor?
Madeleine: My biggest takeaway is the value of trusted career mentors to ask questions of, learn from, and gain perspective from when facing challenges. The program reinforced that professional growth extends beyond daily tasks to include building relationships and learning from external peers.
Sarah: Thanks to the SMPS mentorship program and to my mentor, I have a much clearer understanding of what I want to do with the opportunity I have, which opportunities I want to pursue next, and how I can get there.
Madeleine: Sarah, would you consider becoming a mentor for the program in the future as you gain more experience in the industry, and why?
Sarah: In the future, when I've seen a lot more of the industry, I would love to pass on my wisdom and help someone else the way Jenn has helped me.
Madeleine: Absolutely, I would love to become a mentor as I gain experience. Being a mentee showed me how valuable guidance is, and supporting someone starting out would be very rewarding. Experiencing early career challenges firsthand helps me understand the value of advice and reassurance. As my career grows, I want to give it back.
Sarah: Madeleine, do you think it is important for everyone to have a mentor throughout their career or even just in life? If yes, please explain.
Madeleine: Yes. I think having a mentor is valuable at any stage of your career or life, although what you need from a mentor can change over time. My experience with the SMPS Mentoring Program has reinforced that having someone who is invested in your growth can make a significant difference. You don't have to navigate your career entirely on your own, and I think everyone can benefit from having someone they trust to learn from and turn to for perspective.
Sarah: We can all benefit from mentors, even informal ones. Having someone in your life who has been in your shoes, can see your situation through the lens of experience, and passes on their wisdom is an absolute treasure.
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