Sarah Willis, PE
Director | Principal
Sarah Willis is a Principal and Director in Dunaway’s structural engineering department in Central Texas. She has spent her career working on projects all over the country, with an emphasis in steel, concrete, and wood framed buildings. Her experience spans many market sectors including K-12 education, healthcare, hospitality, religious, commercial, and industrial projects. Sarah is the past President of Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and helped create A4LE’s Emerging Professionals program. In 2019, Sarah was honored with A4LE’s Southern Region Individual Award!
Q+A
Why did you choose this career?
I actually started University thinking I was going to be a physicist. However, my childhood was filled with construction projects, from the addition to my house when I was 7, to building our family home when I was 12. My father is in construction and my mother is an interior designer, so it’s almost like I was born to do this!
What Core Value resonates with you the most?
Attitude of service. I feel like this is something that sets me apart from others because I am always willing to go the extra step to accomplish a task and bring the most to everything I do.
What has been your favorite project to work on during your career?
My favorite project to date has been the Dripping Springs High School #2. This project is currently in construction and will serve as my own kids’ future high school. There is something so special about being able to work on a project that my own kids will get to experience every day for years in the future. I look forward to seeing this project from start to finish and years beyond.
What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any interesting hobbies?
In my spare time, I like to do crafty things. I joke that my hobby is hobbies. I switch from one thing to another all the time. I recently made my first quilt, which was such a big accomplishment for me!
What makes you laugh the most?
I have a 2 sons who really keep me on my toes. They have each grown into their own sense of humor, and I see so much of both my husband and me in their personalities. They are both hilarious in their own ways, and bring joy to my life, everyday.
What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Move across the country to a city I had never visited, to a state where I had no family or friends. Austin has been my home for over a decade now and is the longest I have ever lived in one area.