Happy International Women’s Month! At ESA, women comprise 54 percent of our staff, spanning four generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Additionally, 48 percent of our senior leadership positions are held by women, including our president and CEO Leslie Moulton-Post, and women-owned firms have made up a third of our acquisitions in our firm’s history.
In recognition of March being Women’s History Month, we took the opportunity to reflect on the role women play at ESA and celebrate the diversity of experiences and careers that are reflected in our staff. As part of our JEDI initiative, we sent out an informal survey to hear perspectives from each generation of women represented at ESA. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
How has the industry and/or your professional practice evolved since you started your career?
The industry has definitely grown to have a lot more women visible in leadership roles as well as more diverse demographics. – Generation X
The personal and collective awareness and embodiment of JEDI principles have helped evolve my approach to people and project management; I continue to learn how to approach difficult topics and/or have more authentic conversations that support a better collaborative process and outcomes. – Millennial
So far, it has been incredibly heartening to see so many women in leadership roles, as well as many women of color. I have always felt secure in my place at ESA, particularly in the San Diego office. I know I have big shoes to fill as I continue forward in my career! – Generation Z
Did you have a mentor or role model that influenced/inspired you in your career? If so, what was the single most important piece of advice they provided you?
My role models include my high school biology teacher and my early “bosses” at ESA. More than any words of advice, they modeled inspiring behavior: enthusiastic, hands-on hard work, rigorous critical thinking, actively doing and being part of trying to make it better. – Baby Boomer
I have been so lucky to have many mentors and role models who have inspired my career. The first is my mother, who always believed in me and encouraged me to forge my own path in life. The most important piece of advice I have received is not to let just one thing define you. Branching out and doing things that you might not have considered before has always led me to more opportunities. – Generation Z
What advice would you give the generation following you as they advance in their careers?
Perseverance and gaining a depth of experience that develops your expertise and perspective are vital to success. – Baby Boomer
Stay curious, prioritize self-care, trust yourself, support other women, and HAVE FUN! – Generation X
Say yes to every opportunity and learn how to juggle and come into the office as often as possible. Learn how to delegate and train more junior team members to be able to eventually replace you. – Millennial
My advice will always be to do things even if you’re scared. Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to incredible opportunities and personal growth. – Generation Z
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For decades at ESA, women’s contributions have laid the groundwork and formed the foundation of who we are as a company and are the basis for our future growth. It’s so important to keep this legacy moving forward by supporting the next generation of women scientists, engineers, planners, specialists, designers, and so many more. We’re working to create more opportunities for women entering the industry through scholarships and networking events, as well as helping women to gain skills and experience through internships and our mentorship program.
As March comes to a close, we want to celebrate the amazing women who have made ESA what it is today!
