Women in Construction
Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM, ABCP
President and CEO
Rhino PR
Susan Shelby’s career in public relations began 28 years ago in the competitive marketplace of high-tech. When the dot com bubble burst in 2001, her career path diverged into the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry. A 2004 layoff inspired Susan to launch Rhino PR, which prioritizes the integration of public relations, marketing, and business strategies to help A/E/C clients increase their visibility in the marketplace.
Like her company’s namesake, Susan considers herself a rhino, charging forward to meet client goals, armed with thick skin, and undeterred by obstacles. For the past 18 years, she has enabled clients to take ownership of their public image through targeted news releases; byline articles demonstrating thought leadership; successful media relations; and effective crisis communications.
She recently completed a 30-minute podcast, “Thick Skin, Public Relations & Crisis Communications,” for The Resilience Journey and will be co-presenting “Not All Publicity is Good Publicity” at the Society for Marketing Professional Service’s (SMPS) Northeast Regional Conference (NERC) in May with Chuck Raymond, CPSM from Weston & Sampson.
A member of SMPS since 2001, Susan is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) and an SMPS Fellow. The former Boston chapter president was recognized as Marketing Professional of the Year by the chapter in 2016.
When she’s not working or volunteering with Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (YGRR), Susan makes time for Finley, her own golden retriever, reading mysteries, and watching British crime shows. At the top of her bucket list is an African photo safari with a working vacation at a rhino orphanage.
