Tampa Employees Bring Sustainability Vision to Life

Employees in our Tampa office have embraced what it means to be an HDR Sustainability Steward. 

"The Sustainability Stewards Program is an initiative that brings sustainability, vision and mission to life," said Olivia Bergman, water/wastewater engineer-in-training. "It gives individuals in the office the opportunity to support sustainability initiatives in our office, as well as in our local communities."

Initiated in 2014, the employee-led program provides opportunities for staff to engage in sustainability efforts aligned with their interests while fostering meaningful connections across the office. It also offers young professionals an opportunity to develop leadership skills by organizing events and bringing new ideas to the program.

Since relaunching its team in 2024, Tampa's Sustainability Stewards Program (SSP) has become a model for how local offices can build sustainability programs that benefit their employees and communities. Team members have organized volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits, beach cleanups, plant giveaways, and other activities designed to promote environmental stewardship and employee engagement.

"They do all sorts of things that are very culture-building," said Laura Everett, southwest Florida office principal. "Whether it's volunteering with Oasis Opportunities or organizing beach cleanups, they just do so much to encourage folks to volunteer in and outside the office."

One reason for the program's success is that employees can participate in whatever way works best for them, whether that means helping organize an initiative or joining a single event.

"We found that everybody in the office may not have the opportunity to be involved every day with the program," said Jake Hemingway, project manager. "But with the model that we've created, it allows individuals to come in for a one-time event and see their vision come to life."

Beyond the events themselves, the program helps employees reconnect with our company's broader purpose.

"At HDR, we're engineers and architects, and every day we're shaping the communities that we live in," Olivia said.

By creating opportunities to serve the community, support sustainability and develop future leaders, Tampa's SSP demonstrates how employees can make a lasting impact both inside and outside the office.