Katie Stern

About Katie Stern

Strategic business development and growth advisor helping AEC firms win the right work and scale with clarity.With more than 20 years in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Katie Stern is a trusted advisor to firm leaders navigating growth, positioning, and business development strategy. She helps AEC firms sharpen their value, strengthen client relationships, and pursue the right work with clarity and confidence.As a Business Development Specialist at Dragonfly AEC Consulting, Katie works alongside an award-winning national consulting team supporting AEC firms across the country. Dragonfly’s collective expertise, creative horsepower, and deep industry insight allow her to bring even greater value to clients seeking to elevate pursuits, improve market positioning, and scale intentionally.Before joining Dragonfly, Katie founded and led Build Bold, where she partnered with firms ranging from start-ups to nationally recognized organizations. Her work consistently extended beyond traditional marketing—helping leadership teams align vision, strategy, and execution. That legacy continues today through her work at Dragonfly.Katie supports clients across key growth areas, including:Client Strategy & Positioning – Clarifying value and differentiationBusiness Development Strategy – Building structure, focus, and momentumStrategic Marketing Planning – Aligning marketing with firm goalsProposal & Pursuit Coaching – Competing smarter and winning workPresentation & Interview Prep – Helping teams show up with confidenceBrand Development – Creating clarity, cohesion, and market presenceHer career is rooted in senior leadership roles within nationally recognized AEC firms, where she helped grow portfolios, improve internal systems, and build sustainable business development practices. She is known for bridging strategy and execution—and for helping firms level up without losing what makes them unique.Whether preparing for a major pursuit, entering a new market, or bringing structure to marketing and business development efforts, Katie brings the insight, energy, and experience to help firms move forward—with the full support of the Dragonfly team behind her.

Experience

1. Business Development Strategist

   Dragonfly Aec Consulting

   Aug 2025 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

   With a career built on heart and impact, Katie believes that the path to achieving ambitions begins with a strong strategic foundation. Her passion for positioning and hands-on coaching brings increased purpose and confidence to high-stakes project pursuits. And her experience inside the C-Suite helps leaders ensure every decision aligns with the broader vision - and contributes to sustainable and measurable success.

Education

• University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business

  Graduate Studies, SMPS University - Leadership Advancement Program

  2012 — 2012

• University of Pittsburgh

  English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications

  2001 — 2005

Skills

• Branding
• Proposal Writing
• Market Research
• Proposal Review
• Wordpress
• Web Design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Oral Communications
• Marketing Communications
• Crm
• Business Cards
• Strategic Planning
• Newsletters
• Creative Direction
• Social Media Marketing
• Department Budgeting
• Adobe Acrobat
• Corporate Communications
• Public Relations
• Internal Communications
• Media Relations
• Custom Invitations
• SEO
• Brand Development
• Newsletter Production
• Integrated Marketing
• Advertising
• Website Redesign
• Budget Process
• Website Development
• Brand Management
• Webmaster Services
• Communication Written
• Marketing
• Copy Editing
• Branding
• Marketing Strategy
• Google Analytics
• Photoshop
• Website Management