Building confidence in yourself is one thing, but inspiring it in others is another, and that’s exactly what Sara Feuling is trying to do for Milwaukee’s future generations.
From a career in engineering to volunteering with various STEM programs, mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and coaching youth baseball, she’s found her passion for creating environments where young people can thrive and find their own sense of self and purpose.
Her work with multiple nonprofit organizations and dedication to giving back make her the perfect fit for the Milwaukeean of the Week title!
What is your background?
I was born and raised in Milwaukee. I’ve spent most of my life here, with a few short stints in the surrounding areas and suburbs.
Any stories from your youth that define your path?
I think I struggled a bit with figuring out who I was and where I fit in in my youth (let’s be honest, everyone goes through that at some point) and I definitely have stories – most of which only add to my anxiety and the feeling of not being good enough.
I do know that I felt enough, I felt safe and loved with my grandparents and that is probably where most of my inspiration came from. Their basement (which is now my basement) is where I started building things, where I learned how things worked, where I learned how to be a good person and put good out into the world.
Where did you study (if you did higher education)?
I have a BS in civil engineering with a structural emphasis and an MS in engineering with a civil emphasis, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am also a licensed professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin.
What do you do for work now?
I work for a trade association based in Milwaukee as the Senior Director of Portfolio Management. I’m essentially the organization’s project manager, responsible for our data and systems portfolio, processes, and governance. I also own an engineering firm that supports construction project management.
Can you talk a little bit about your career journey?
I started college as an architecture major but quickly realized that wasn’t the math part of design so I switched to engineering, thinking I would be a design engineer. I spent two summers as a construction engineer intern and completely changed my mind about being a designer. I started working with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation during grad school, spending nearly 10 years in heavy highway construction and project management.
I started out as a structures (bridges, culverts, signs, etc) inspector, then a structures lead, then a project leader, then a project manager as part of the $1.7B Zoo Interchange program, one of the largest construction projects in the state. I needed a change of pace in 2018 and found myself working in the association world which continues to be an amazing personal and professional growth opportunity. After a few years, I realized that I did miss engineering so I started my own firm, which has been keeping me busy part-time since 2021.
Can you talk more about your community involvement or volunteer experience?
I have been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee (BBBS MM) for over 13 years now. I’ve been involved in both the community based program and mentor2.0, two of those mentor2.0 matches turning into community based matches (my current mentee and I are the 2026 mentor2.0 Match of the Year!). I am also a member of the Big Advisory Group. In addition to BBBS MM, I volunteer with numerous other organizations, including ASCE and STEM Forward.
I am the current president of ASCE Wisconsin Section Southeast Branch (WISE). I volunteer to support the planning of and registration for STEM Expo hosted by ASCE WISE YMG. I am the regional essay coordinator and a lead judge for the Future City Competition hosted by STEM Forward. I volunteer as a judge for the Engineering Machine Design Contest and Contrapt WI, both hosted by STEM Forward. I am a volunteer on the facilities planning committee for my high school.
I volunteer at numerous fundraisers and golf outings each year, supporting scholarships for students and community organizations. I am also a volunteer youth sports coach, coaching 1st and 2nd grade boys baseball (and no, I do not actually have any kids on the team – shoutout to the Magic Tigers! 🐯).
What are some ways you have impacted the community in your line of work?
It’s easy to see the impact engineering has on the community – our society would not be possible without our civil infrastructure. Roads, bridges, water, waste, we take a lot of those thing for granted, and none of it would function without civil engineers. I am able to say that I had a literal hand in building the bridges that carry nearly 200,000 vehicles per day to and from schools, jobs, hospitals, not to mention the freight that is carrying food, gas, and other resources. That impact is what I missed most about engineering.
What do you like about living in Milwaukee?
I love being a sports fan in Milwaukee – Brewers, Packers, Bucks, Admirals, Milkmen, Wave, you name it, there’s a sport for everyone, and sports do a really great job of bringing the community together (especially when our teams are playing well!). I like that there’s always something to do, from sports and festivals to concerts and theatre, and always great food around nearly every corner. I like the lake and the riverfront – I will not actually go in the water (ick) but I can’t imagine living somewhere that didn’t have access to water.
What do you want to see for Milwaukee’s future?
I think I would like to see the Milwaukee community come together to better support our youth in a more meaningful way. Say what you want about the next generation (which is nothing new, every generation has trash talked the following generation(s) since practically the beginning of time), they are smart and they are fierce and they are capable in ways those of us who grew up before the internet and cell phones can’t even imagine. I’d like to see us find opportunities to allow them the space to show us what they can do, not just for Milwaukee but for the world.