Venssen Paniagua: Designing the Story Behind the Work

We’re an interconnected nationwide team, but we each have our own reasons for being passionate about the work we do. This month, get to know Venssen Paniagua, a Marketing Coordinator in our Orlando office.

What’s your background, and how did you end up at Kittelson?

I originally studied architectural design at UCF, but I realized I wanted to move into marketing because it offered more opportunity, stability, and long-term career growth. That shift led me to earn a second bachelor’s degree and ultimately stay in the A/E/C industry while changing career paths. Before joining Kittelson, I worked in two marketing roles where I was the only marketer on the team. Over time, I knew I wanted to be part of a larger marketing group where I could learn from experienced professionals and grow alongside others in the field. That goal led me to Kittelson, and during the interview process, it was clear this was a team I could learn from and contribute to. Since joining, that impression has proven true, and I have enjoyed working closely with the marketing team, supporting project managers, and building connections with colleagues in the Orlando office. 

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, especially by going to the gym. Whether I am working out on my own and seeing how far I can push myself or going with friends and encouraging each other, it is something I genuinely enjoy and a big part of how I recharge. I also love electronic music and spending weekends relaxing at the beach. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Winnie, whether we are heading to the beach, trying a great restaurant, or catching live music together. 

How would you describe your role to someone outside the industry? How does your work help Kittelson serve clients and communities?

I help project managers pursue and win the kind of work they are most excited to do by coordinating proposals from start to finish. Every proposal begins with a checklist, which I use to break down the requirements, build an outline, and map out how each piece will come together. From there, I create a schedule and work closely with the project manager and our partner staff, including technical editors and graphic designers, to keep the process moving smoothly. Once the strategy is in place, it becomes all about thoughtful execution. What I enjoy most is knowing that this work helps position our technical staff to win meaningful projects that strengthen connections and make a positive impact in the communities we serve. 

Your background spans architecture and business/marketing. What perspectives from architecture show up most in the way you approach proposals, and storytelling?

My background in architectural design still shapes how I approach my work today, especially in the way I think about process, visuals, and storytelling. It taught me to see process itself as a form of creativity, to pay attention to how each piece fits together, and to keep refining the details over time. It also taught me to learn from how others solve similar problems and apply those ideas where they make sense. I bring that same perspective to proposal work by building clear, thoughtful processes and helping create materials that come together smoothly and tell a stronger story. 

What parts of your work do you find most energizing, or rewarding?

What I find most energizing is refining how I work and finding better ways to make the proposal process smoother, faster, and more efficient each time. I enjoy thinking through the process itself as a kind of design challenge, and that mindset has led me to build a few automation tools to support the work, including one that generates Word resumes from an Excel spreadsheet and another that pulls information from our database to help verify years of experience for resumes. Using Excel formulas to help build those tools has made that part of my role especially rewarding. 

What qualities or habits have helped you be successful, and how did you build them over time?

The qualities that have helped me most are self-reflection, integrity, open-mindedness, and grit, all of which were shaped early on by my grandparents and later strengthened through Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC). Growing up, I was taught to look inward during difficult situations and ask what I could have done better, even when parts of the outcome were outside my control. I also learned the importance of internal alignment by making sure my thoughts, words, and actions stayed consistent, and by trying to do the right thing simply because it is right, regardless of who is watching or what benefit or cost may come with it. Just as important, I was taught to stay open-minded and learn from people who see the world differently. Over time, JROTC deepened my sense of grit and taught me the value of passion and perseverance for long-term goals, which stayed with me even when I knew near the end of studying architectural design that I wanted to move into business and marketing. I chose to finish the degree before changing course, and that experience reinforced the importance of staying committed, following through, and giving myself and others the grace to be human. That mindset has helped me see failure as part of growth and approach both work and life with more patience, perspective, and resilience. 

Fast Lane Facts:

Favorite font?

Helvetica. It’s a classic and one of my favorite sans-serif fonts.

Must have on your desk?

Creatine monohydrate capsules. They can make a big difference after a sleepless night!

Morning drink of choice?

It depends on how much energy I need that day, but my usual options are green tea, V8 Energy, black coffee, or Monster Energy Zero.

Favorite way to unwind after work?

Going to the gym with friends.

If you had an extra hour in your day, how would you spend it?

I would love an extra hour of sleep!!