Jessie Gravatt
Posted by Communications2 on Sep. 29, 2026 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Name: Jessie Lynn Gravatt, MEd/M.Ed.
Title: Senior Pursuit Specialist, Placemaking
Company: Arcadis
How long have you worked at your company?
2.75 years
How long have you been an SMPS member?
I joined in June!
How would you describe your role/job?
Mostly, I coordinate pursuits, such as creating proposals, and I also help with marketing efforts, such as Arcadis’ The Design Perspective.
What are the rewards of your job?
While I mainly focus on Placemaking opportunities in the US West, I have been able to work with a variety of teams across North America and in Europe. Everyone’s been lovely, and I enjoy learning about Arcadis’ projects, which are always clever or inspiring, if not both.
What are your challenges?
My role is very deadline-driven, and keeping track of time zones as well as team members’ schedules can be challenging. My favorite is working with my Utah colleagues because I’ve become familiar with their working styles—and I don’t have to convert times!
What has been your most meaningful project?
I initially worked with the Education studios at Arcadis, and my first proposal was for the Taholah School District in Washington State to provide A/E services for a new K-12 school to be built in the new upper village. This project is part of an effort by the Taholah community to move to a higher elevation because of sea level rise and other factors; the new school will be safe from tsunamis and resilient to earthquakes. Even though I’ve worked on several proposals since then, I appreciate hearing updates on the progress in Taholah from the Pacific Northwest Education team at Arcadis.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
Make friends with the administrative staff. I’d have done that anyway, but it’s true that admins are amazing and incredibly helpful.
What’s the best career advice you’ve given?
My children are approaching adulthood, and my oldest child will be a freshman at USU in the fall. I tell them, if they put in the effort, they can build lives that align with their strengths. So much of childhood involves doing things the way other people want them done, and now they have a chance to “work smarter.”
What has contributed to your success?
I have a great balance of times when I work closely with others, getting to know them, and periods where I’m “locked in” (as my kids say) with the nuts and bolts.
What's on your bucket list?
I enjoy traveling and have a growing list of places to visit and experiences to try. For every one I check off, I add at least two.
What was your childhood dream?
To create a sanctuary for large animals that also offered an artist-in-residence program. While I haven’t done this, I highly recommend visiting The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado.
Guilt pleasure: Tea.
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