As the AEC industry faces mounting environmental challenges and regulatory complexity, few professionals are as equipped to lead change as Anna Childers. With over 25 years of experience in environmental services across the U.S. and internationally, Childers now serves as Director of Environmental Services at Haskell, where she’s building internal capabilities that are foundational and forward-looking.
“Our mission is to help clients succeed by integrating environmental expertise early in the planning process,” she said.
Childers is developing a service line that supports teams and clients in water infrastructure, transportation and federal projects. Environmental Services collaborates closely with Haskell’s sustainability efforts. Her work includes regulatory and permitting support, ecosystem and project site assessments, stakeholder coordination and regulatory agency engagement, permitting and site development – areas that can often be overlooked in early project phases and traditionally haven’t been Haskell’s tasks to execute.
“We want to educate both our internal teams and external partners that environmental services are a strategic advantage,” Childers said. “By bringing us in early, we are proactive and help anticipate challenges, minimize delays and deliver better outcomes for people and the planet.”
Environmental Services, A Strategic Asset
Agencies and developers are increasingly recognizing the value of early environmental engagement. This includes formal documentation, like National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews and proactive risk assessments that consider endangered species, water quality and community impact.
Childers’ technical expertise, along with her commitment to fostering strong, long-term relationships with clients and agencies, makes her a trusted adviser on these topics.
“Our work goes beyond permitting. We advocate for understanding natural systems and designing with them, not against them,” she said.
Growing up in Finland, Childers’s childhood playground was nature. Her global perspective and early connection to the earth laid the groundwork for a career grounded in environmental responsibility.
Over the years, she has led complex environmental efforts across industries and geographies, working closely with stakeholders to build trust and ensure compliance. Her approach is guided by curiosity and respect for the interconnected systems found in every project.
“I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of science, planning and people,” she said. “We help clients do the right thing and make it work for their goals, too.”
She holds a PhD in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University and a degree in Physical Science from the University of Kent. Her breadth of expertise enables her to bridge the gap between disciplines and bring clarity to complex regulatory processes.
Mentorship, Leadership and Lasting Impact
Beyond her project work, Childers is recognized as an avid mentor for young professionals. She chairs the Leader Development Program for the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and serves as Past President of the SAME Tulsa Post. In 2023, she was honored with SAME’s Regional Vice President’s Medal and was recently inducted into SAME’s Academy of Fellows.
She also volunteers with Tulsa Reading Partners, providing one-on-one tutoring to elementary students, and serves on the City of Tulsa’s Stormwater Drainage Hazard Mitigation and Advisory Board.
At home, Childers finds balance on the farm in the Oklahoma prairie, where she cares for her horses, dogs and an open landscape.
“Living close to nature keeps me grounded,” she said. “The physical labor is something that helps me recharge, and it reminds me of what we’re working to protect.”
As Haskell continues to expand its services and pursue complex projects, Childers’s environmental leadership ensures that the firm’s commitment to responsible development is not just spoken but lived.
“It’s not about me,” she emphasized. “It’s about building a capability that helps our teams and clients succeed, while doing what’s right for the environment.”
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