Environmental Scientist/Project Manager, AECOM
 
Sarah Vogel was born and raised in a rural agricultural area of Southern California. She spent her childhood immersed in nature; catching snakes and tadpoles, riding horses, and climbing trees. Summertime was always Sarah’s favorite time of year as the days were long and hot. She would spend the entire day reading while balancing on the limbs of a lemon or avocado tree. The intersection of the natural environment and agriculture were ever-present in Sarah’s life. The little valley that she grew up in supported farming families with children involved in Future Farmers of America and 4H. When Sarah was ten she and her sister raised a pig for 4H. The process of raising the pig and then sending the animal to market was a difficult lesson in agricultural economics; however, this rural upbringing instilled a respect for the family farm and the importance of our natural environment. When she went to college Sarah gravitated towards the natural sciences and earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology.
 
Sarah began her career in the pharmaceutical industry; however, after just one year of working in a sterile laboratory environment Sarah began looking for employment elsewhere in the scientific community. Sarah wanted to build a career that kept her connected to the natural world. After her first day of working in the environmental industry Sarah felt that she had found something that she really enjoyed. Sarah loved working outdoors, travel, and the feeling that she was making a difference in the world.
 
Sarah currently works as an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager for AECOM, a global engineering firm. While Sarah’s main area of expertise lies in environmental due diligence, Sarah has had the opportunity to be a part of several exciting projects including NFL stadium design/builds, environmental baseline studies for military facilities, and permitting and compliance for renewable energy sources.