Madison Nassar
Madison Nassar serves as an Associate Scientist with Sundance Consulting Incorporated, a company owned by True Environmental, where she contributes to a range of environmental consulting and compliance projects. She has worked in the environmental industry since 2020 and has maintained consecutive full-time experience since graduating in 2022. Her work focuses on conservation biology, environmental monitoring, and federal compliance. Her previous work experience includes soil borings, groundwater testing, and air and PFAS monitoring. Madison has also supported federal environmental compliance efforts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) working with the Department of Agriculture under their Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). She also gained valuable emergency response experience working with the Environmental Protection Agency during the East Palestine train derailment in Ohio. Madison earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, concentrating on conservation biology with a minor in marine resource management. During her undergraduate studies, a transformative six-week research program in New Zealand—funded by a $5,000 grant from the Dow STEM Scholars Program—sparked her long-term passion for natural sciences and environmental stewardship. She further developed practical experience through internships and fieldwork with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other environmental initiatives. As a first-generation college graduate, Madison maintains strong connections with the professors and mentors who helped shape her career path. She is also an Open Water certified scuba diver, reflecting her continued interest in aquatic ecosystems and conservation. In her professional role, Madison has steadily taken on greater responsibility, demonstrating leadership by serving as a team leader in 2025, where she trained and supervised field staff on a federal grant project. She was recently contracted by the National Forest Service to help develop the new management plan for the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Sundance Consulting, originally a small female- and Native-owned firm, continues to maintain strong relationships with tribal lands, an aspect of the company’s mission that Madison values deeply. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys participating in a book club, spending time with her new puppy, competing in weekend cornhole tournaments with her husband, and embracing her newest and most rewarding role as a mother to her baby boy.
• Open Water Scuba Diving Certification
• ICS FEMA Training
• Michigan State University - Bachelor's Degree, Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
• Featured in Influential Women for 2026
• Dow STEM Scholars - Research Grant
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the strong support system I have from my friends and family, especially as a first-generation college graduate. Their encouragement helped me pursue opportunities that shaped my career path. One of the most impactful experiences was being selected for the Dow STEM Scholars Program during college, which awarded me a $5,000 research grant. I used that funding to participate in a six-week study abroad program in New Zealand focused on natural sciences. That experience truly sparked my passion for environmental work and helped me realize the direction I wanted my career to take. I also credit the professors I worked with during that program, whose mentorship played a significant role in inspiring my interest in the field. I remain in contact with them today, and their guidance continues to influence my professional growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to be confident in standing out and to believe in the value of their voice and expertise. Environmental science and consulting remain largely male-dominated industries, and it can sometimes feel intimidating to enter spaces where women are underrepresented. However, confidence and passion for the work make a tremendous difference. I encourage women to trust their abilities, remain committed to their interests, and not allow intimidation or self-doubt to hold them back. When you are passionate about the work you do, it becomes much easier to stay focused and succeed.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the ongoing challenges in the environmental field is the relatively low representation of women, which can make the industry feel intimidating or unfamiliar for those entering it. At the same time, there are many emerging opportunities as environmental issues receive greater attention and regulatory oversight continues to expand. Areas such as federal environmental compliance, including work under the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as emergency response efforts following environmental incidents, are creating new pathways for professionals in this field. These developments present meaningful opportunities for scientists and consultants to contribute to environmental protection and public safety.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my personal life and my career are support, confidence, passion, and mentorship. I place great importance on maintaining strong relationships with friends, family, and mentors who provide encouragement and perspective. I also believe in approaching my work with confidence and genuine passion, as those qualities help sustain motivation and purpose in challenging environments. Finally, I value the mentorship and educational relationships that helped shape my career, and I strive to maintain those connections as an ongoing source of inspiration and growth.