Early advocates led Morrissey Engineering’s Gudeman to fulfilling career in sustainability

4• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Director of Sustainability Sarah Gudeman is passionate about sustainable building

design. (Photo by Monica Sempek)

Early advocates led Morrissey Engineering’s Gudeman to fulfilling career in sustainability

by Dwain Hebda

Today a veteran of her field, Sarah Gudeman was in the minority throughout most of her education and early years in the engineering industry. In fact, had it not been for a push from some early advocates, she might not have taken the journey at all.

“Twenty-plus years ago, there were certainly fewer women going into engineering,” she said. “Luckily, at Marian High School we had a huge advocate in Bruce Esser, a physics teacher who really enabled me to first consider engineering as a major in college.

“I told my parents I was trying to decide between art or engineering, and they obviously guided me towards the latter.”

Gudeman rose to partner at Morrissey Engineering where she’s now director of sustainability, and a highly regarded authority on the design and advancement of green building systems.

“Some of the best advice I have received is ‘Find what you are passionate about and grow your strengths, because that is where you’re likely to see exponential growth in capability and knowledge,’” she said. “I am passionate about advancing and educating on sustainability topics across the board, beyond energy to indoor environmental quality, how our buildings and spaces can impact and improve health and wellness, improve equitable access and serve as a community benefit and resource.”

Gudeman said variety is one of the most appealing things about her work, as is her ability to positively impact the environment through smart design and systems.

“Since buildings are generally responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it represents an enormous opportunity to reduce environmental footprint,” she said. “The world is currently undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in human history, with no sign of slowing down. We cannot meet climate goals without also reducing to a minimum the emissions associated with embodied carbon.

“As an industry we need to approach these

challenges through passive design strategies, energy efficient systems, integrative design, renewable energy and improving ongoing operations in buildings.” Gudeman credits her firm for creating a culture where individual initiative and creative approaches to design issues carry more weight than raw seniority. She said this not only encourages innovation but also helps individuals feel engaged in projects. “What I really like about Morrissey Engineering is that we try to foster a working environment that isn’t built on ‘the ranks,’” she said. “Employee responsibilities extend as far as your individual interests and drive. As for me, I feel constantly challenged to learn more and improve, which are skills that I personally value. “There are also lots of oppor2020 tunities, especially in the specialty area of sustainability, for futurist and strategic thinking. My work in third-party rating systems such as LEED, WELL, and ILFI’s JUST allows for some systematic framework, which my engineering brain appreciates. Still, there are lots of times where creative thinking, communication and mediation are all just as important. Every day is a little different, which is always exciting.” Gudeman has also applied her skills and leadership to various nonprofits and community service organizations. “The nonprofit I am most heavily involved with is the U.S. Green Building Council, which has a local chapter, USGBC Nebraska Flatwater,” she said. “Also, I can’t say enough great things about CREW Omaha; it’s a fantastic organization with a dynamic network, education and community outreach. “I’m hopeful to begin meeting with my mentee through Teammates again soon and look forward to joining the board for the Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association this fall.” An Omaha native, Gudeman has a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.