GTA Employee Spotlight: Kim McNew, Senior Project Scientist

Every project at GTA presents a unique opportunity to merge creativity with science. For Kim McNew, Senior Project Scientist, this blend is what makes her work not only fulfilling but also impactful. In this month’s GTA Employee Spotlight, Kim takes us through her role, career journey, and the critical work she does to balance development and environmental preservation.

A Day in the Life of a Senior Project Scientist

As a Senior Project Scientist at GTA, Kim wears many hats. She leads wetland and stream mitigation projects, manages clients, mentors junior staff, and oversees project designs. A significant part of her role involves creating solutions for environmental impacts caused by development. Kim spearheads the mitigation process when a residential community impacts streams or wetlands. 

Wetlands and streams play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems. They filter water, prevent erosion, support wildlife habitats, and regulate floods. However, construction projects—like roads, residential communities, or commercial developments—can disrupt these systems without expert planning and responsible stewardship. Kim’s team assesses, plans, and mitigates potential environmental impacts by designing and implementing plans that restore or recreate a waterway’s natural functions.

For example, when a stream is impacted, Kim and her team might add wood or stone structures, reconnect the stream to its floodplain, and plant native vegetation. These measures stabilize the area, prevent erosion, and support habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife. Each site presents a unique challenge, allowing her to mimic natural ecosystems while addressing client needs. 

“It’s a chance to really be creative and try and find ways to mimic natural systems because you’re trying to recreate the same functions as what was lost,” Kim shared. “So you really are using what you’re seeing in nature and then replicating those in function and in practice through your design. And that’s what I think is the coolest part because every site is different.” 

One of her favorite aspects of the job is the long-term nature of mitigation projects. With monitoring requirements that often last five to ten years, Kim often has the opportunity to see her designs mature. 

“There’s nothing like watching a site you worked on flourish over time. It’s incredibly fulfilling,” she says.

Some projects extend beyond mitigation. Kim has worked on stream restorations aimed at protecting existing infrastructure, such as pedestrian walkways and sewer systems, from erosion.

“We’re even protecting existing infrastructure, whether it’s sewer exposure or bridges. It can also be for protecting those types of things, as well as focusing on the biology aspects,” she adds.

The Path to GTA

Kim didn’t always know she’d end up in environmental science, but it was fueled by a deep connection to nature. After earning her undergraduate degree, she pursued a Master of Environmental Science at Towson University.

“I loved wetlands because I took wetland ecology in undergrad. I knew it was something I was super interested in, so I just kind of followed that path,” she says.

Her master’s thesis on wetland restoration solidified her interest, and she soon began her career at a civil engineering firm specializing in stream restoration. Seven years later, Kim joined GTA as a Project Scientist and realized she’d found a place where innovation and collaboration were deeply valued.

“I wanted to make some really cool changes to our group, and I had a lot of cool ideas for design and trying to find new ways to innovate,” Kim shares. “GTA was super supportive of that.”

She credits her growth to the mentorship and openness she’s found at GTA.

“It’s that openness to hear the new ideas and be receptive to them and then enact changes. That’s something that I never had at my previous company. I felt like that was really important to me—coming into GTA was having that opportunity to speak and make suggestions. So I really appreciate GTA for that.”

Mentorship and Growth at GTA

Kim attributes much of her professional growth to the mentorship she’s received at GTA.

“Before coming to GTA, I had limited client interaction and proposal experience,” she says. “Matt [Associate at GTA] and Andy [Vice President at GTA] really helped me understand how to manage and communicate with clients and understand the back of house stuff, with proposals and billing and all of those types of things.”

GTA’s collaborative culture has been a cornerstone of Kim’s success. She is extremely happy with the team network inside GTA, the company’s openness to new ideas, and feeling heard, which is important to her.

“It’s not just about having ideas; it’s about being heard,” she explains. “GTA encourages open dialogue and teamwork, which creates an environment where innovation thrives.”

Advice for Aspiring GTA Employees

Kim’s advice for those looking to join GTA and kickstart their careers is simple yet impactful: be a sponge. Absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible across different areas to discover what truly excites you and shapes your career path.

Kim emphasizes staying open to change, as goals can evolve over time. Passion plays a critical role in growth, so once you find what you love, pursue it relentlessly. GTA, she adds, is the perfect place to embark on this journey, offering a supportive environment where employees are encouraged to explore their interests and map out their career aspirations. Annual reviews focus on setting meaningful goals and creating pathways for success, making it a dynamic, growth-oriented workplace.

Kim’s journey at GTA exemplifies the company’s commitment to innovation, mentorship, and environmental stewardship. Her work supports sustainable development while inspiring the next generation of scientists to think creatively and act responsibly.

When asked what motivates her, Kim reflects on the broader impact of her work. “There’s so much pride and ownership over being able to tell my son,  ‘I helped build this project!’ Or, ‘See this residential community? There’s a stream that people can walk through, and I helped design that.’ Those are the super rewarding bits that I really like about my job.”

Thank you, Kim, for sharing your journey and for the incredible work you do at GTA!

Ready to Join the GTA Team?

If Kim’s story inspires you, and you’re ready to grow your career in a dynamic, supportive environment, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more by visiting our careers page and browse our open positions at https://geo-technology-associates.breezy.hr/