Sarah Fowlkes

Building a Career That Connects People and Purpose

Some careers follow a straight line. Sarah Fowlkes’ career does not. And that is exactly what makes it work.

Today, she is a Client Account Manager, supporting Army and Air Force clients. Her role is built on relationships, coordination, and long-term thinking. But her path into the A/E industry came through a mix of science, business development, and hands-on experience.

“I’ve never been someone who sticks to just one lane,” Sarah says. “I like figuring out how things connect and how to make them work better.”

That mindset has helped her turn ideas into action across different stages of her career.

Early Life and Influences That Shaped Her Work Ethic

Sarah grew up in Dripping Springs, Texas. Her home life was stable and supportive. Her father worked as an arborist. Her mother ran an environmental consulting firm. Her brother went on to start his own organic pasta business.

“I grew up around people who built their own careers,” she says. “That stuck with me.”

She stayed busy in school. She joined band, cheerleading, choir, theatre, and several clubs. She made varsity in both cheer and choir. These activities taught her how to balance multiple priorities early on.

“I liked being involved in a lot of things at once,” Sarah says. “It helped me learn how to manage my time and show up for different teams.”

Education and Early Work Experience

After graduating from high school, Sarah attended St. Edward’s University on an academic scholarship. She studied biology with a pre-med focus.

While in college, she worked as a pharmacy technician at 38th Street Pharmacy and Walgreens. The job required focus and accuracy.

“That experience taught me discipline,” she says. “You had to be detail-oriented and accountable every day.”

At that point, her career direction was still evolving. But she was building core skills that would carry forward.

A Shift Toward Business and Strategy

One of the biggest turning points in Sarah’s career came when she joined her mother’s company, AmaTerra. She worked there for seven years as a Business Development Coordinator.

This role exposed her to a different side of work. She began to understand how projects are won, how relationships are built, and how strategy drives growth.

“That’s when I really started thinking bigger,” she says. “It wasn’t just about doing tasks. It was about how everything fits together.”

She supported business development efforts and built connections within the industry. Over time, she became more comfortable working in complex environments.

“You start to see patterns,” Sarah explains. “What works, what doesn’t, and where you can add value.”

What Does a Client Account Manager Do?

In 2024, Sarah became a Client Account Manager focused on Army and Air Force clients. The role brought together everything she had learned.

She works across teams, aligns client needs with project goals, and supports long-term partnerships. The work requires both structure and flexibility.

“In this space, you have to understand the mission first,” she says. “Everything else builds from that.”

Her ability to connect people and ideas plays a key role in her success. She approaches challenges with a practical mindset.

“It’s about taking a big idea and breaking it down into steps that actually work,” Sarah says.

Leadership in SAME and Industry Impact

Outside of her day job, Sarah has spent nearly a decade involved with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). She has served on the San Antonio Post Board for eight years.

Her roles have included Secretary, Small Business Chair, and Vice President. She currently serves as President of the San Antonio Post.

“SAME is where I’ve been able to take ideas and turn them into real programs,” she says.

One example is her work supporting small businesses. She helped create opportunities for these businesses to connect with federal programs and industry leaders.

“It’s about making sure people have access,” Sarah explains. “That’s how you build a stronger industry.”

Her work earned her the SAME Regional Vice President Medal and the National Small Business Liaison Officer Award.

How Sarah Fowlkes Supports Small Business in the A/E Industry

Sarah’s focus on small business support is a consistent theme in her work. Through SAME, she has helped bridge gaps between large organizations and smaller firms.

“Small businesses are a big part of this industry,” she says. “But they don’t always have the same access.”

She worked on initiatives that created more visibility and engagement opportunities. These efforts helped small businesses better understand federal programs and connect with decision-makers.

“It’s not about one event or one meeting,” Sarah says. “It’s about building relationships over time.”

Lessons on Turning Ideas Into Action

Sarah’s career shows that big ideas do not have to be complicated. What matters is execution.

“You can have a great idea,” she says. “But if you don’t follow through, it doesn’t mean much.”

She focuses on consistency and showing up. Whether it is at work or through SAME, she invests time and energy into the process.

“A lot of success comes from just being there and doing the work,” Sarah explains.

Growth Through Connection

As Sarah Fowlkes continues her work at SAME, her focus remains on connection and impact. She is interested in expanding opportunities within the A/E industry and strengthening cross-sector collaboration.

“There’s always room to improve how we work together,” she says. “That’s where the real progress happens.”

Her journey reflects a simple idea. Careers are not built overnight. They are built through steady effort, strong relationships, and the ability to turn ideas into something real.