Sarah Funderburg
Sarah Funderburg is a project manager in the utility infrastructure industry whose career path reflects resilience, determination, and a willingness to take unconventional risks. After briefly attending college and realizing it was not the right fit, she explored a variety of roles—including working as a certified nursing assistant, in a salon, and in cleaning services—before deciding she wanted more stability and long-term opportunity. Encouraged by her family, she enrolled in a line school program at her local community college, a decision that ultimately transformed her career trajectory. She went on to become a lineman with Pike Electric, where she made history as the company’s first female crew leader—an achievement that reinforced her belief in her own potential.
Building on her field experience, Sarah transitioned into project management, spending several years working with companies such as Pike Engineering and Team Fishel, supporting major clients including Duke Energy and Alabama Power. She later joined Sigma Technologies, where she advanced from a supervisor role to project manager in 2024. In her current role, she oversees utility infrastructure projects, including make-ready and distribution design, for clients such as AEP and FirstEnergy. Known for her strength in communication and culture building, Sarah focuses on fostering strong relationships within her teams and with clients to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, on time, and with a high level of trust and collaboration.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Sarah is deeply committed to mentorship and advocacy, particularly for women entering the trades and energy sector. Having navigated her career without a mentor early on, she is passionate about being that source of guidance for others. She actively mentors through the Center for Energy Workforce Development’s Power Her program, helping women discover and pursue opportunities in construction and utilities. Grounded in authenticity and driven by a desire to uplift others, Sarah continues to break barriers in her field while inspiring the next generation to forge their own paths.
• Lineworker Training Certification
• Nash Community College
Certificate, Electrical line construction
• Nash Community College
Certificate, Certified Nurse Assistant
• Center for Energy Workforce Development (Mentor - Power Her Program)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to grit and determination, and having very supportive parents. Growing up, I was never told I wasn't able to do something - it was always, okay, you want to do this? Let's figure out how. That mindset really shaped me. My parents gave me the confidence to take unconventional paths and try things that seemed impossible, like being the first female crew leader at Pike. That achievement especially set me up to believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I didn't have mentors early on to look to, so I had to figure things out myself and just keep pushing forward, which built that resilience and determination that's carried me through my entire career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to give everything at least one shot before deciding it's not for you. You'll never know if something is right for you, or if it's even something you want to do, unless you just try it. I really believe in that philosophy - just do it and see what happens. And I'd add to that, especially in this industry, there are so many different little caveats to it that you might not fit in one certain area, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't fit in somewhere else. So even if one aspect doesn't work out, it's worth trying other areas before giving up on the whole field.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is just do it - you'll never know if it's right for you or if it's even something you want to do unless you just try it. Give everything at least one shot, and then if it's not for you, just pivot. There's nothing wrong with pivoting once you find out something isn't for you, but you'll never know unless you give it a real chance. More specifically in this industry, there are so many different little caveats to it that you might not fit in one certain area, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't fit in somewhere else. So don't give up after trying just one role - explore different aspects of the field before deciding it's not for you. The opportunities are there, and you just need to find where you fit best.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is that there's always a lot going on within this industry because things are constantly changing, and our infrastructure isn't up to scale to be able to handle it. But that challenge also creates incredible opportunities. The opportunities are endless - we're constantly seeking new clients and figuring out new innovations that we can provide to give our clients better services. There's never not going to be work in this field because the infrastructure demands keep growing, which means there's always room for growth, innovation, and bringing in new talent to help solve these challenges.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and trust are the most important values to me, both professionally and personally. Building relationships is a key part of my job and in life, and being able to be an honest person and a trustworthy person helps in both areas. Those are really the only things that you can stand on - people knowing that they can trust you and that you're honest about what you do. Strong relationships, whether with my team, my clients, or the people I mentor, are built on that foundation of honesty and trust. Without those values, you can't create the kind of meaningful connections that lead to success and fulfillment.