A Letter From 2024-2025 SMPS SA Secretary
Two years ago, I stepped into the role of board secretary with only a loose idea of what I was getting into. What I found was a table full of brilliant, driven humans—and the privilege of helping steer the ship alongside them.
I've spent a lot of time in boardrooms. Over nine years with the Junior League of San Antonio—six of those on the board—and time on my PTO board, I learned how to build consensus, manage agendas, and lead with purpose. So, when I joined the SMPS San Antonio board as secretary, I figured I had a pretty good sense of what I was walking into.
Spoiler: I did not.
This role brought something new—a different kind of leadership. One that required me to slow down, listen deeply, and capture the heart of what was happening in the room—not just what was said. I didn't expect that shift to change me, but it did.
Under the leadership of Crystal Del Bosque and Garrett McCullough, I've seen what it looks like to lead with confidence and curiosity. I've sat in rooms where every board member showed up like a marketing Avengers squad, each bringing something different to the table. And through it all, I kept notes—lots of them...because that's what secretaries do.
The role gave me a wide-angle view of the organization—how committees collaborate, how ideas evolve, and how relationships (and sandwiches) fuel the whole engine. That 360-degree perspective changed how I show up as a professional. It deepened my appreciation for what it takes to build something meaningful.
Let me just say: I love a good microphone. Public speaking energizes me. But networking? Small talk? The kinds of social stretches that leave you wondering if you said the right thing, talked too much, or not enough? That's where I struggle. This role gently pushed me into those moments and reminded me I could handle them—one handshake, one conversation, one unexpected connection at a time.
What surprised me most was how much I started to enjoy those spaces. Not because I suddenly became a social butterfly (I still require a complete decompression after a luncheon) but because I began to see each interaction as a chance to build something: trust, community, and belonging.
And that's the real magic of SMPS. My degree is in architecture, not marketing. My path here wasn't linear. But this organization never asked me to be anything other than who I am. It met me where I was and gave me tools, peers, and programs to become something more. Our San Antonio education offerings, regional and national conferences, and mentorship opportunities are launchpads.
You get out of SMPS what you put in.
More importantly, the value you find here depends on the value you assign to it. Let me offer this: Say yes if you're on the fence about getting more involved. Join a committee. Apply for a leadership role. Say yes to something that feels a little scary. You'll be amazed at what you learn—about this organization, about others, and about yourself.
Heather Blazi
Secretary
