Our People
Meet Erin James
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
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An engineer by trade, Erin James has been with Jacobs for over 12 years and held a variety of roles, resulting in today where she’s Director of Social Impact & Business Integration for our Global Corporate Sustainability Team.
Erin studied civil engineering at Penn State University, Pennsylvania. She loved using math, science and problem solving to find data solutions that meet people’s needs. While studying she volunteered by cleaning up her community and building hiking trails, fueling her passion for the outdoors and helping people.
Her Jacobs career began as a summer intern in our Philadelphia Ports & Maritime business, returning full time after graduation. When some of her projects reached a natural end and the demand for more resources intensified across the West of the U.S., Erin used her network to secure an opportunity in the Southwest Highways Group in Denver. She never imagined moving away from Philadelphia but took the plunge and decided to relocate – just three days after marrying her high school sweetheart!
This was where Erin’s passion for creating sustainable solutions really developed. She led projects in national parks and federal lands, designing hiking trails, parking lots, roadways and bridges in beautiful landscapes. Erin strove to find the most accessible, sustainable solutions that blended seamlessly into the natural environment, allowing everyone the chance to see America’s great landmarks.
“I want to do things that make a difference. Working in sustainability allows me to fuse together all my passions for nature, inclusion, and philanthropy to do something bigger.”
Erin James
Throughout most of her time at the company Erin has held leadership positions in the Jacobs’ Womens Network, including working as the Global Communications Lead during the integration of CH2M and Jacobs. It was through relationships she built via this network that Erin learned of an upcoming opportunity with the Global Corporate Sustainability Team. This was a chance to combine all her passions into one role. So, in August 2021 Erin joined the world of corporate sustainability and climate response at Jacobs.
Erin now leads Jacobs’ global social impact strategy and sustainability business integration. On the social impact side this involves looking at everything from human rights, modern slavery, to philanthropy, social value, and our inclusion and diversity strategies. On the business integration side, Erin is responsible for developing and driving the global processes and tools to incorporate sustainability into projects, and how we measure and report on this.
Focusing on the operational aspects of sustainability is important to Erin. Ensuring we truly drive positive impact and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals within each and every one of our solutions is the route to delivering on PlanBeyond, Jacobs’ Boldly Moving Forward strategy and our core values.
Erin is also passionate about driving impact in local communities. Erin leads our Bridge-Building Program at Jacobs, where employees use their skills to volunteer with the nonprofit Bridges to Prosperity in locations where crossing flooded rivers can prove deadly. Over the last few years’, she’s participated in five trips to Uganda, Rwanda, Panama and Bolivia, building footbridges so kids can go to school, families can receive medical care, and farmers can sell their crops safely, year-round.
Away from work Erin is very sporty and outdoorsy; she loves skiing, backpacking, climbing and volleyball. She also has a love for live outdoor gigs, including the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. She lives in Denver with her husband and cats Nittany and Scout (named after their college mascots)!
Get to know Erin
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Jacobs offices she's called home base
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roles she's held at Jacobs (so far!)
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bridges she's built with Bridges to Prosperity
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years she spent as a Jacobs' Women's Network leader
