Meet Sara Bals: Inspiring Technical Excellence and Leadership
SME® | Published on March 6, 2025
Meet Sara Bals, SME’s Site Assessment and Remediation Discipline Leader and one of our newest Chief Consultants!
Sara Bals has been a part of the SME Team for 18 years, and her journey within the company is nothing short of inspiring. As one of SME’s newest Chief Consultants and SME’s Site Assessment and Remediation Discipline Leader for the Environmental Group, Sara has made a significant impact on the company’s quality assurance and control processes. Her role involves leading the environmental group’s efforts to maintain consistent quality in reporting and helping SME and our partners stay updated on the ever-changing regulatory landscape.
Sara’s journey to leadership was unconventional. Her interest in environmental sciences began with an internship at a highway department, inspired by a female engineer. Originally a communications major, she switched to engineering because of its challenges and dynamic nature. And despite believing STEM wasn’t her strength, college revealed her aptitude for these subjects, drawing her to engineering. After beginning her career at SME primarily in the field, she soon realized her passion and ability to leverage her writing and storytelling skills.
Sara excelled in writing grant applications, which led to significant funding opportunities through EPA assessment grants and brownfield cleanup grants. A pivotal moment for Sara was when “One of our principals at the time, Cheryl Kehres-Dietrich, took an interest in me. She saw herself in me and wanted to help me along,” Sara recalls. Over time, Sara moved up the project management path, eventually becoming a Senior Consultant. Her journey involved taking on more writing, managing larger projects, and stepping into her role as a Senior Consultant. Sara navigated this journey into her technical leadership role without a clearly defined career path but with faith that she could find her highest and best use at SME.
SME has experienced considerable growth over the past several years, and in 2023, SME added an additional level of leadership in each of our Business Units for with the role of Chief Technical Professional. We formally began appointing Team Members that excelled in technical expertise and leadership. These Team Members, often regarded as subject matter experts and thought leaders, play a critical role in driving innovation and presenting unique, practical solutions to the challenges our clients face. In January 2025, Sara was named Chief Consultant.
Sara enjoys the constant change and challenge in her work, gravitating toward problem-solving and improving processes. The dynamic nature of her job, where she can research, learn, and implement new solutions, keeps her engaged and excited. Sara collaborated with Kellogg’s on an important project to establish a new research facility in Battle Creek. This undertaking required securing brownfield financing and incentives. Sara highlighted that this project covered several facets of her job, such as meetings with city leaders, economic agencies, and state officials.
Sara’s impact at SME is evident in her role as a Chief Consultant, where she has formalized and recognized the importance of quality control and risk management within the environmental group. Her efforts have led to improved processes and a more efficient workflow, benefiting both the company and its clients. Sara’s dedication to continuous improvement and her ability to see and address problems proactively have made her an invaluable asset to SME.
Sara, what challenges have you faced as a woman in our field?
Sara has encountered various challenges in the AEC industry, ranging from inappropriate comments on project sites to experiencing isolation as the sole woman present in meetings. “It’s 2025, but women still have a different experience in construction and engineering. It’s become a lot better over time, and my goal is to continue to improve the industry for other women.” Sara envisions a gradual increase in the representation of women in leadership roles within the industry. She hopes that current women leaders will continue to support and mentor the next generation.
Despite these obstacles, Sara has remained resilient and focused on her goals. Sara sees the ability to adapt to different communication styles and understanding other perspectives as essential leadership qualities in the construction industry. She believes that meeting people where they are and communicating in ways that resonate with them are crucial for gaining trust and providing guidance. “This aspect of leadership creates collaboration by understanding and adapting to different communication styles,” says Sara. “It also builds trust and encourages continuous learning within my team.”
Sara emphasizes the importance of flexibility from companies to support women in construction and engineering, especially for women with families. She believes this can help retain women in the industry and support their career growth. Her own experience as a new mother has highlighted the benefit of being empowered by SME to balance work and family responsibilities.
Sara has noticed significant improvements in the visibility of women in leadership roles at SME over the past years. She feels that there has been a conscious effort to promote and support women within the company, making the gender landscape more balanced. She hopes to continue making a positive impact at SME by supporting the next generation of women in the industry through continuous professional development and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Sara’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, resilience, and the importance of creating opportunities for growth and leadership within the AEC industry. Her contributions to SME and the environmental group have set a high standard for quality and excellence, and her influence will undoubtedly continue to shape the company’s future.