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When Alexandra Davis volunteered to write her first National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document, she didn’t realize she was stepping into a new future. Before that, she’d been digging deep — literally. Trained as an archaeologist, Alexandra spent years unearthing human history at excavation sites in Malawi, Africa, contributing to discoveries featured in The New York Times.����

That one document marked a turning point, shifting her focus from uncovering the past to shaping the future. Now, as NEPA Services Lead at Atlas, Alexandra helps navigate federal requirements that determine whether critical infrastructure improvements can proceed, analyzing everything from wetland impacts to community displacement to ensure Georgia’s transportation improvements protect both people and natural resources.����

Her work sits at the intersection of science, policy and community advocacy, influencing the infrastructure that connects Georgia’s communities. Recently, this impactful work earned Alexandra recognition as one of Engineering Georgia Magazine’s 2025 “35 Under 35 Women to Know,” an honor celebrating young leaders who are redefining the future of engineering.����

Q: Let’s go back to the moment you first said yes to writing a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document. What were you thinking, and did you know then it would change everything?��

I was only 24 when I was offered the opportunity to work on NEPA documents, and honestly, at the time, I was just focused on staying employed and continuing to learn. It was right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, so job security was at the front of my mind. I figured if I could cross-train and make myself valuable to the team, I’d have a better shot at holding onto my position. It wasn’t an immediate career-defining moment. It took about two years of working in NEPA and three years at Atlas for me to realize that this path was going to reshape my career in ways I hadn’t expected. And I’m so grateful I said yes to that opportunity.��

Q: You started your career excavating ancient remains in Africa. How did that path lead you to shaping policy through NEPA at Atlas?

As an archaeologist, my work required not only excavating ancient remains but also being a strong technical writer and researcher, digging up information about the past, analyzing complex data and translating those findings into detailed reports. Those skills transferred directly to environmental consulting work. About a year after I started at Atlas, my manager offered me the opportunity to begin authoring NEPA documents. I’ve always been eager to learn and grow, so I jumped at the chance. In addition to writing, I began coordinating with the Georgia Department of Transportation as a NEPA Analyst. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had a real love for Environmental Project Management and, surprisingly, for the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of juggling multiple projects at different stages. While it might seem like a big shift from excavating ancient remains, both roles require attention to detail, problem-solving and a deep respect for our environment and history.��

Q: As NEPA Services Lead, what major projects or initiatives have you led since your promotion?����

Since my promotion, I’ve taken on leadership of all NEPA projects in Georgia, overseeing environmental compliance for more than 75 transportation projects. One of the most notable efforts has been managing and coordinating nine GDOT bridge replacement projects, which have required near-daily coordination and problem-solving. A major challenge on that effort was receiving Notice to Proceed later than expected and having to recover the schedule. This meant accelerating the environmental process for archaeology, history and ecology without compromising our quality standards. This experience showed me how important it is to build flexibility into our environmental review processes and maintain careful oversight. Beyond project work, I’ve also been leading initiatives within Atlas’ Southeast region to strengthen connections between young professionals and current college students.��

Q: How do you balance protecting the environment with supporting the needs of the communities connected to it?����

On our larger GDOT projects, especially those involving new location roadways and potential displacements, it takes a lot of public involvement and coordination to address community concerns. In some cases, this has even led to redesigning project alignments to better serve the environment and the people impacted. Balancing these priorities requires constant, open communication between the design team, including the project manager, lead designer, traffic engineers and the environmental team. On the other hand, many of our bridge replacement projects tend to have minimal environmental impact and generally receive strong community support, which makes those collaborations much smoother.��

Q: You’ve been named one of Georgia’s 35 Women to Know. What do you hope stands out about how you lead and connect with others?��

My goal is to lead with kindness, empathy and flexibility. It’s important to me that the people I work with feel supported, heard and valued. I always want to be the kind of leader who makes time for questions, concerns, or just a quick conversation. I also believe work should be enjoyable. I truly love what I do at Atlas and the people I work with, and I want my team to feel that same sense of purpose and enjoyment in their roles.��

Alexandra’s career may have started with a shovel in the ground, but her greatest impact may lie in what she is building — collaborative teams, thoughtful policies and space for more voices to shape the future. Her story reminds us that engineering is about more than equations or approvals. It’s about people, purpose and vision.����

Discover how our environmental services can support your next project, or follow Alexandra’s lead and join our growing team.��