In Your Own Words - Heather Reynolds, CMP

The CMP Journey

We asked Heather Reynolds, CMP, Director of Meeting and Events for Texas Apartment Association and Director of Social Media for the MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter what it has meant to her to attain her CMP Certification.  Here is what she shared.  

My path in my career is a bit unique. It didn’t start like most. I’ve been with TAA for 18 years now. I began as the receptionist back in March 2007. At that time, I was a young single mom, just trying to survive and keep a roof over our heads. I held that role until 2012. When one of my former colleagues retired, I was offered the Support Services Coordinator job. This role supported the Education and Governmental Affairs departments, and it’s where I started to get more familiar with how our Education and Meetings worked. I spent more than five years in that support role, building relationships with members and even finding a mentor in the Director of Meetings & Education.

Eventually, there was some restructuring in our org chart. My title changed to Director of Education, where I supported just the Education and Meetings Department. That also meant I was taking on more of the meeting planning side. I began handling our Affordable Housing one day seminars, which really taught me how to plan a meeting from start to finish. It gave me the tools I needed to keep going in this field.

Then COVID hit. Almost all my programs shifted to virtual. At the same time, I had some losses in my family. It was tough, but it also made me think about my career and what I wanted to do “when I grew up.” I realized that I’m a people pleaser and a host at heart - I love talking with people, working with them, negotiating, and collaborating. 

My employer supported me in getting my CMP. My coworkers, my employer, and my family gave me encouragement to start the process. In January 2023, I signed up for the CMP Bootcamp through MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter. Carol Huttel Benavidez taught it - she was incredible. The tools she shared were exactly what I needed. I hadn’t studied for a test in 20 years, but I passed on March 15, 2023!!

Once I got my CMP, things started to change fast. In 2024, I was shadowing our VP of Education for the board meeting planning and execution. That’s when the real excitement and growth kicked in!! In the summer of 2023, I joined our local MPI chapter, Texas Hill Country, and became part of the Communications Committee, serving as the Social Media Chair. It opened even more chances to learn, attend educational sessions, and network. I was building my portfolio and loving it.

In the fall of 2023, there was a resignation, and I was asked to join the MPI THCC Board of Directors as the Director of Social Media. I served in all of 2024, and it was a blast. I met so many new people and launched the “Meet Your Board” campaign for our chapter. I even led a social media campaign for the Global MPI Chapters WEC, and we placed runner-up in the large chapter category! We also hosted a Texas Education Conference with the Houston Area Chapter, using social media to boost attendance. In 2024, I was proud to receive the MPITHCC Rising Star Award! I was again invited to sit on the Board of Directors as the Director of Social Media. I gladly accepted!

Early in 2025, there were some staff changes and title updates. My role shifted from Director of Meetings & Education to Director of Meetings & Events. This gave me the chance to own more of our association’s meetings and partner with our VP of Conferences to plan and execute different sub-events within our annual conference. I also now own all nine of our award categories. 

I’m excited to keep going - this journey has been full of unexpected turns, but each one taught me something new. I’ve come a long way from answering phones as a receptionist. Today, I’m proud to be shaping the way our meetings and events come together, and I’m always looking ahead to what’s next.