Dragonfly welcomes Katie Stern

Katie brings 20 years of AEC marketing leadership to expand our business development planning and pursuit strategy services

Say hi to the newest member of team Dragonfly—AEC veteran Katie Stern! A seasoned consultant, Katie brings fresh energy and expertise to our business development planning and strategic pursuit services to better support clients up and down the East Coast. Katie’s 20-year career is marked by leadership roles in nationally recognized AEC firms, where she developed and executed strategies that expanded project portfolios, strengthened internal operations, and fostered long-term success. Her unique ability to bridge client strategy, business development, and marketing makes her an invaluable partner for firms seeking insights beyond traditional marketing boundaries.

Congratulate Katie!

Katie Stern joins Dragonfly AEC Consulting as an established consultant, experienced AEC marketer, and engaged industry leader.

Get to know Katie

What's your favorite part of working in AEC marketing?

"I love a high-stakes project pursuit. Each one is unique and presents an opportunity to help both the firm and the individual team members shine. The interview preparation stage allows me to provide hands-on coaching—both one-on-one and in small groups—to help sharpen presentation skills, enhance networking confidence, and develop business development capabilities. The skills building may be focused on one client or target win, but the lessons learned in the moment stick with people beyond the pursuit."

What inspired your shift to consulting?

"After 16 years of building marketing departments and helping construction firms rethink how they approach marketing and business development, I was ready to take a leap. I started Build Bold to work more intentionally with firms that were open to doing things differently—to push beyond the usual efforts and take a more strategic, bold approach to messaging, proposals, and growth. Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to support firms of all sizes—some with no internal marketing team at all, and others looking for a fresh perspective on strategy, positioning, or pursuit planning. I’m proud of what I’ve built with Build Bold and excited to bring that passion, perspective, and experience to the Dragonfly team."

Why Dragonfly?

"Life as an independent consultant has been incredibly rewarding, but I’m ready for what’s next. Joining Dragonfly allows me to keep doing the high-level strategic work I love, while gaining the energy and collaboration that comes from working with a smart, driven team. I’m excited to expand my reach, contribute to the projects, clients, and collaborations already underway, and be part of something that’s truly moving the needle for AEC firms."

What should Dragonfly clients know about your approach?

"Like Dragonfly, I believe marketing and business development should be holistic, practical, and rooted in a firm’s long-term goals. Whether I’m advising leadership on strategy or helping teams prepare to stand out in pursuits, my focus is always on real alignment and impact. I seek to build trust by maintaining focus on candid communications, lessons learned from lived experiences, and meaningful, measurable results."

What should they know about YOU?

"I’m a mom of three boys and if I’m not knee-deep in strategic planning or content development with AEC firms, you’ll probably find me on a baseball or soccer field, or supporting bereaved parents through our family’s nonprofit, The Little Fox – Toby’s Foundation. We started the foundation eight months after the death of our middle son, Toby, who passed away from SIDS in 2016 at just 12 weeks old. Our mission is to provide hope and healing to families navigating life after infant loss through grief retreats, community support, and advocacy. It’s deeply personal work that reminds me daily why connection, compassion, and clarity matter—in every part of life"