Honoring Histories: Latinx Heritage Month - By Vannessa Fusi

Inspired by the effort our chapter has made to be more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive to our members and guests, we found a way to express a more proactive narrative of our organization’s DEI values. Through a collaboration between SMPS Seattle’s DEI and Marketing committees, this blog and social media series will celebrate heritage, history, and awareness months throughout the year.

First in the series, we celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, originally proclaimed as a week-long observance, Latinx Heritage Month has grown into a month-long celebration which takes place from September 15^th – October 15^th. To kick-off our first heritage month highlight, Vannessa Fusi, DEI Committee Co-Chair, has shared about her Latina heritage and experience as a Marketer in the AEC world.

How did you find your way into this industry? Have you always been a marketer?

My journey to become a marketer was not typical. Since I was a little girl, my dream was to become a scenic designer for children’s theatre. I fulfilled that dream through achieving my BFA in Scenic Design then deciding to tackle an MFA. It was during my graduate work that I was offered an internship at an architecture firm. I have always been fascinated with architecture, so I jumped at the opportunity. It was during my two-year internship that I found a strong passion for marketing in the AEC industry. Over the last eight years, I have been fortunate to have amazing mentors that believe in lifting the next generation of marketers. I feel extremely blessed to be able to be both a marketer and scenic designer. I realize not many people get to pursue one passion they love, much less two.

One thing I will say is that the theatre world prepares you to be marketers. Most theatre designers are independent contractors that much find their own work. You develop a unique skillset that translates nicely to marketing.

What are your favorite parts of your job?

My favorite part of my job is the people and proposals. I am an extravert that loves being around people I know and people I don’t know. Marketing gives you the opportunity to build and cultivate relationships that often surpass the “job”.

Proposals are a massive part of my daily workload, and they are probably one of my favorite areas. I am naturally competitive, so working on a proposal allows me to be competitive with myself.

What does Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month mean to you?

Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month means a great deal to me. I am proud of my background and extremely grateful to my family/ancestors who helped get me where I am today. Being the granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant, I cannot express enough gratitude to my grandfather for making the very difficult journey because he wanted a different future and outcome for his linage than the one he was living. 

As a child, I understood what it meant to be marginalized or judged for my skin tone and treated differently as a result. It took me years to take that anger, self-doubt and turn it into pride of who I am and where I have come from. My childhood and my parents strive to give me a better education than them, has truly shaped my career. I have worked extremely hard to get where I am today, but none of who I am or what I have achieved would have been possible without my family. I take pride in who I am as a Hispanic woman, and am grateful that in the month of September, we recognize this amazing heritage and the people who make it thrive.

What brought you to SMPS? How long have you been a member?

I joined SMPS two years ago, shortly after moving to the Seattle area. I wanted to join the organization to build relationships with other marketers. Many of those relationships have turned into friendships.

What made you want to be a DEI Committee Co-Chair?

Experiences in my life have forged a want, desire, and drive to strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We should all strive for a DEI world, but until everyone is on board, I will keep being a part of committees, groups, marches, and other efforts. This committee is important and one day, efforts from all groups striving towards this goal will come to fruition.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about youself, maybe your family?

Last thing I would like to share is that I am so grateful and proud to be a Hispanic woman in the AEC industry. My family, though we are all spread across the United States, is my heart and soul. I am so grateful to each one of them for teaching me, guiding me, and showing me my Hispanic heritage through their love, memories, and food. A mi familia, gracias y los quiero mucho a todos.