A biologist at Stantec, Kathleen N. Pangan, MS, of Knoxville, Tennessee, has led a long and respected career in conservation, biology, and environmental sustainability. With Stantec, she leads the wetlands team and provides construction support for one of the company’s major utility clients. Leveraging her expertise in vegetation management, habitat assessments, jurisdictional delineation, and filing government permits, Ms. Pangan collaborates on environmental impact statements for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the National Environmental Policy Act, focusing her efforts on renewable energy projects.
Throughout her career, Ms. Pangan has maintained a commitment to fostering positive team environments and open, effective communication. Prior to joining Stantec in 2021, she was a wilderness specialist with Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, and beforehand, the director of creation care at USD Immaculata, where she promoted community initiatives for conservation and sustainability. Beginning her career in environmental conservation with the Canyon Strike Team for the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation, Ms. Pangan contributed to the Invasive Management, Plant Assessment, and Conservation Team, also known as IMPACT, for the San Diego River Park Foundation. She was proud to make progress toward restoring native ecosystems, managing invasive species, and conducting conservation assessments. Earlier, she gained invaluable experience as an avian field technician with Southern Illinois University and worked as a wildlife ecology volunteer at the Cabrillo National Monument.
Multifaceted, Ms. Pangan has worked in areas outside of environmental conservation, including communications, geographic information systems (GIS), and health care. She was director of communications for the Daughters of Charity Foundation and was a GIS analyst at The UPS Store. Moreover, Ms. Pangan was a medical records supervisor at AccentCare Inc., before which she excelled as a biology laboratory technician with Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. In preparation for her career pursuits, from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) she earned a Master of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Science in ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. Recognized for her talents early in her academic career, she was named a research scholar at UCSD in 2005. Ms. Pangan also was honored as a Millennium Scholar as part of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.
Well-credentialed and committed to lifelong learning and professional development in her sector, Ms. Pangan secured numerous certifications to enhance her professional capabilities. She completed Tennessee Hydrologic Determination Training and became certified in adult and pediatric first aid/CPR/AED. Among her most notable professional achievements, her photograph was chosen as the cover image for one volume of a journal for the European Molecular Biology Organization. In addition to this honor, Ms. Pangan was recognized with the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California in 2008. With a strong sense of civic duty and passion for serving her community, she has contributed to multiple charitable organizations throughout her career. From 2019 to 2020, she was a mediation and logistics volunteer for Legal Aid. In 2007, she served as a Spanish translator for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, among other volunteer positions.
Ms. Pangan ascribes her success to her family’s support and her strong work ethic. Throughout her career, she has sought to expand her skillset and take on new challenges. In particular, she takes great pride in her efforts to grow her team at Stantec, where she has successfully trained and mentored new members, resulting in improved coverage and performance. Additionally, she has pioneered an innovative permit process for her clients, helping to streamline operations and enhance environmental protection efforts.
In the future, Ms. Pangan hopes to take on more project management responsibilities in her industry, following in the footsteps of a senior colleague she respects. She looks forward to completing renewable energy projects and having a meaningful impact on the environment through her work, leaving a legacy as a devoted and responsible environmental steward.