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Women of Distinction

Laurel Glass Lees

Veritas, Unitas, Caritas

By Judith A. Habert
Photos courtesy of Laurel Glass Lees

resources management and executive deci- leading a bunch of really incredible programs
sion-making in business.” with amazing people that enrich my life in
Growing up in Tulsa, Laurel was surround- ways beyond work productivity and technical
ed by a world focused on a young girl’s value expertise. And I never would have thought I'd
as a Debutante, community volunteer, and be here when I said yes to being a newsletter
homemaker. There were not many role mod- editor ten years ago.”
els of females in leadership positions, so while Laurel learned so much over her time
she knew she wanted to attend university, working as an environmental consultant. “I
her career trajectory thereafter was unclear. became well versed not only in storm water
“I didn't really know women in business, but quality, but ocean water quality, and then
I was an incredibly competitive individual aquatic systems like wetlands and rivers and
and my parents knew there were no limits, creeks, and how California has very high
so I naturally focused on doing the best in abundance of diversity and organisms that
every single class that I took and saying ‘yes’ to contribute to our quality of life. I gained expe-
whatever opportunities revealed themselves rience practicing with larger, interconnected
in my academic journey.” concepts such as social impact and economic
Laurel graduated in 2008 during the development, which led me to land entitle-
aurel Glass Lees was born the third Great Recession, which was not ideal timing ment and strategic planning.”
daughter of three girls in Tulsa, Oklahoma. for a new graduate looking to begin a career. Laurel learned what happens in California
LMrs. Lees excelled at both her academic “At the time, nobody would hire me. I was when somebody wants to build a house, a
pursuits and athletics at Cascia Hall Preparato- either overqualified or underqualified for shopping mall or a road, and she became
ry School; she was a competitive athlete in the every job. I finally landed an on-call Marine interested in how environmental and urban
equestrian arena, showing across the country Scientist position with an environmental policy can impact our quality of life. “I got my
and placing top in her age group at national consulting firm. My job was to collect water first taste of land planning when one of our
competitions. After high school, Laurel ven- samples from stormwater outlets and drains clients, the County of San Diego, was looking
tured to San Diego to begin undergraduate at marine cargo terminals. I was basically for a junior level planner who could propose
studies at the University of San Diego. “I was a sewer rat!” Although it did not start out projects for funding under President Obama’s
searching for the perfect school and I found being the most glamourous position, it led American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. I
it in USD. I liked that it was a small university Laurel down a career path that she would started out as a glorified paper pusher and
with a more focused attention on its students completely love. grew into a professional land use and envi-
than other institutions I toured in California. Aside from being in a field of endless ronmental planner. One reason was that I was
My parents loved my choice and felt it was a exploration and career growth, she also loved always positive when approaching projects
safe place for their daughter to grow.” her colleagues. “The people that are in the en- and knew I could figure out solutions for
As with most visitors to our city, Laurel vironmental industry are caring, open-mind- decision-makers to consider.”
loved San Diego and decided to stay. Laurel ed, progressive and humble humans. I learned Laurel’s on-call, $10/hour position was at
started her time at USD studying marine a lot about being in harmony with each other about the three-year mark when the con-
science, inspired by her childhood experi- and the environment while making money. sulting firm made her a permanent full-time
ences scuba diving in the Cayman Islands For me, the most effective work strategy was employee. Leadership appreciated the wealth
and playing in Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees. to always come from a place of ‘yes.’ And I of knowledge she had obtained and realized
“I witnessed firsthand the water quality and remember my boss at the time said when she was a valuable asset to their team.
biodiversity of organisms in the oceans and there's a professional organization that offers “During my tenure there, I learned about
aquatic systems decline over time, and it hurt you a volunteer position, say yes and see what it meant to be a specialist in balancing
my heart. So, it was a no brainer as to what where it takes you.’’ So she did. the needs of the community and econo-
would be my major.” “I was offered the role of newsletter edi- my with the requirements of the resource
After some time, she decided to change tor for a California professional organization agencies. And I learned all about local, state,
her major to Environmental Studies, an area called the Association of Environmental Pro- and federal environmental law and land use
that was closer to supporting her true creative fessionals. We have nine chapters throughout policy. So, fast forward another 10 years, and
and entrepreneurial nature. Laurel minored the state, and volunteering with the San Di- I'm an expert planner. Currently, I say I'm a
in Economics, “… so [she] could be a steward ego Chapter eventually led me to an elected multi-passionate entrepreneur, stakeholder
of the environment through policy, natural position on the State Board of Directors. I am capitalist, and environmental professional.”

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