Our People
How can water and wastewater utilities achieve long-term sustainability?
Meet Dawn Lesley, PE. With experience in sustainable engineering, Dawn helps plant operators and clients reduce energy use and implement innovative practices that transform environmental challenges into long-term community benefits.
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Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s essential. Jacobs’ Lead Sustainability Specialist Dawn Lesley has dedicated over three decades to shaping how communities, industries and municipalities manage their most vital resource: water. Dawn’s experience combines technical expertise, visionary leadership and a values-driven approach to deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits across North America.
Get to know Dawn
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30 +
years of experience in environmental services
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100 +
sustainability strategies developed for water and wastewater plants
A career rooted in sustainability
Dawn earned a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Chicago and a master’s in bioresource engineering from Oregon State University, along with credentials as a professional environmental engineer.
From the start, her focus has been clear: reduce waste, optimize processes and create ecologically responsible systems that minimize ratepayer costs.
Pioneering energy initiatives
Prior to joining Jacobs, Dawn initiated sustainability programs that pushed the boundaries of traditional engineering.
She developed waste-to-energy initiatives, planned long-range infrastructure investments and identified opportunities for energy efficiency, renewable energy development and effluent reuse. The programs helped wastewater plants across the country achieve an average of 7% in annual energy savings, with one plant reaching 23%.
Her influence spans more than 100 water and wastewater facilities, where she’s driven reductions in energy waste, improved effluent quality and fostered long-term operational resilience.
Leading change at Jacobs
As lead sustainability specialist for Jacobs’ Operations Management and Facilities Services practice, Dawn is driving innovation across water, wastewater, industrial and municipal facilities in North America. She trains operators, identifies efficiency opportunities, implements new technologies and fosters culture change to be sure sustainability is not just a technical upgrade, but a long-lasting mindset shift.
A values-driven leader
Dawn’s impact is measured not only in kilowatt-hours or dollars saved, but in the cultural shift she inspires. By aligning operations with long-term sustainability goals, she proves that environmental stewardship, economic efficiency and community well-being go hand in hand.
More than an engineer, Dawn is a trainer, consultant and community leader. Whether brainstorming solutions with clients or delivering workshops to educate plant staff, Dawn consistently empowers others to embrace sustainability as a shared responsibility.
“Sustainability is about transforming how we think, operate and engage. I help clients and our teams uncover practical solutions that reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, improve performance and create lasting value for the communities we serve. My role is to challenge the status quo and guide our teams toward smarter, more resilient operations.”
Dawn Lesley, PE
