Growing Skills Lead to Success: Leah’s EMAP Story

By Sofia Rosales, 3/4/2026

As an Environmental Protection Specialist at Booz Allen Hamilton, Leah Wise (EMAP ’21) supports Federally funded projects by guiding them through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. Her day-to-day work includes reviewing NEPA documentation, writing Environmental Assessments (EAs), conducting site visits, and performing environmental research using publicly available data sources. The deliverables she produces are prepared for public release and comment, underscoring the importance of technical accuracy and clear communication. In addition to her policy-focused responsibilities, Wise also applies geographic information systems (GIS) to create maps and figures that accompany her reports, strengthening both her analysis and presentation.

Wise credits Georgetown University’s Environmental Metrology and Policy (EMAP) program with equipping her to succeed across both technical and policy-driven roles. “EMAP teaches a broad range of skills that produce a well rounded environmental professional,” she says. Her career path reflects that versatility. In her first role as an environmental consultant, Wise relied heavily on the quantitative skills and scientific foundations she developed in EMAP’s STEM-focused coursework. In her current position, she draws daily on her understanding of environmental policy and regulatory processes. “Having an in-depth understanding of the NEPA process helped me stand out as a candidate and continues to be essential in my day to day work,” she notes.

Before joining Booz Allen Hamilton, Wise worked as a Senior Environmental Consultant with Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, where she conducted Phase II Environmental Assessments. These assessments required detailed fieldwork and precise measurement of environmental indicators, including contaminants in soil, groundwater, soil vapor, and surface water. “Accurate field methodologies and precise measurements allowed us to delineate contamination concerns and provided clients with the information they needed to make informed financial and remedial decisions,” she explains. That experience reinforced the importance of environmental metrology in translating data into actionable outcomes.

Wise emphasizes that EMAP’s combination of scientific rigor and policy training prepared her to navigate transitions across sectors. “The program gave me the flexibility to move between quantitative analysis and regulatory work with confidence,” she says. That adaptability has proven especially valuable as environmental work increasingly demands both technical expertise and the ability to communicate findings to diverse audiences.

Her advice to current and prospective EMAP students reflects the evolving demands of the environmental field. “As technology advances and permeates every industry, it’s incredibly helpful to have at least one strong technical skill to complement your environmental knowledge,” she advises. Wise chose to focus on GIS, earning a graduate certificate that has allowed her to stand out as a job applicant and take on additional responsibilities in her current role. “Having that skillset has helped me win more work and contribute in new ways.”

Through her work in environmental consulting and Federal environmental review, Leah Wise exemplifies the EMAP program’s goal of preparing graduates who can integrate precise measurement, policy knowledge, and technical tools to support informed decision-making and responsible environmental stewardship.