Sarah first joined PAYETTE in 2004, after six years practicing in smaller design-driven Boston area firms, where she completed projects of various types and scales. Her work at PAYETTE has focused on projects for academic and healthcare clients, including MIT, Harvard University and Boston University. She returned to PAYETTE in 2022 after time spent with AW Architects, practicing independently and living in Barcelona, Spain. Since 2023, she has led the design team for the construction phase of the Long-Term Care Facility for the Veterans Home in Holyoke.
As a Project Manager, Sarah stands out for her ability to manage large teams and keep a balanced and strategic view of the project as it progresses. She applies strong management skills—communication, organization, synthesizing priorities and solving problems—to champion project goals and build the trust of her team, the Owner and the Contractor. She combines these skills with broad technical knowledge and design rigor to bring complex buildings to successful resolution.
Sarah chaired PAYETTE’s Women in Design group for several years soon after its inception, setting the now-20 plus year old group on a course for longevity. Today, she co-chairs the EDI Committee and serves as advisor and leadership liaison to WiD’s current chairs. She also steers the MLK Jr. Day of Service planning group, with a focus on broadening PAYETTE’S pro bono reach and maximizing growth opportunities for junior staff participants. Sarah has been active in mentoring both at PAYETTE and the BSA. She is a dedicated advocate for design quality in the urban realm and served for five years on Somerville’s Urban Design Commission.
EDUCATION
M. Arch., 1998, Harvard University, Graduate School of Design
B.S. in Architecture, 1994, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor