For Natalie Brodie, archaeology has always been her path. What began as an early passion, evolved into a leadership role guiding cultural resources efforts across California. Her work is driven by a deep respect for the state’s heritage and a commitment to helping communities progress responsibly.

Tell us a bit about yourself — your role and career journey.

I joined ArchTam in 2020, bringing more than 24 years of consulting experience. Today, I serve as the Cultural Resources Lead for California, overseeing teams across both Northern and Southern California. Stepping into this leadership role has been especially rewarding, offering the chance to support others as they grow, succeed and shape meaningful careers.

My path to archaeology began early. I knew I wanted to be an archaeologist by the time I was 12, even if I didn’t yet know how to turn that passion into a profession. I started my undergraduate studies at University of California (UC) Santa Cruz as a biology major, but once I transitioned into applied anthropology and archaeology and transferred to UC San Diego (UCSD), everything fell into place.

A field school in San Diego County, sponsored by a local consulting firm and UCSD, provided hands‑on experience in excavation and data collection and led directly to my first job in the field. After spending about a decade as a field archaeologist, I earned my graduate degree in applied anthropology from San Diego State University, which supported my transition into project management and leadership roles. Discovering my place in this profession and growing into a role where I can lead and support teams statewide has been an exciting journey.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on was providing cultural resources compliance support following the debris removal efforts after the Los Angeles wildfires. I served as the Principal Investigator on the project. Our team was working seven days a week, coordinating archaeologists, architectural historians and construction crews as debris was removed from more than 12,000 home sites.

There were areas, particularly in the Palisades, with very high archaeological sensitivity due to thousands of years of human occupation. We documented previously recorded sites, gathered photographs and detailed notes, and collected as much information as we could under challenging conditions. While I didn’t meet most of the individual homeowners, knowing our work helped people take the next step in recovery was incredibly meaningful.

How does California’s unique culture and character influence your approach to your work?

California is a truly special place, environmentally, culturally and historically. The state’s rigorous regulations, particularly under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), reflect a shared commitment to recognizing and protecting what makes these resources meaningful.

A large part of my role is education, helping clients understand which cultural resources are important and how we can protect them while still achieving project goals. That starts with understanding our clients’ priorities and the communities they serve, then working together to find solutions.

Sometimes that means design adjustments to minimize impacts. Other times, it means acknowledging when a significant resource requires a pause and a different approach. Either way, the goal is thoughtful, responsible progress.

Talk to us about a project that has been a highlight of your career.

One project that really stands out for me was an excavation in southern San Diego County near the border with Mexico at a known archaeological site. What made this project special was that it gave our team the chance to add something entirely new to the archaeological record, which doesn’t happen every day.

As part of additional surveys required by the county, we conducted protein residue analysis and uncovered evidence of freshwater fish, specifically trout, in an area that today is dry, rugged and not at all what you’d expect. There’s very little evidence of freshwater fish in San Diego County’s archaeological record, so this discovery helped fill in a missing piece of how people lived, what they ate, and how they adapted to their environment thousands of years ago.

Finding something that genuinely expands what we know about a region is incredibly exciting. It’s one of those moments where you realize cultural resources work isn’t just about compliance, it’s about discovery.

At the same time, I’m equally proud of the everyday infrastructure work we do for major clients like Caltrans, where cultural resources play a critical role in shaping projects that support the future. Initiatives like roadway improvements, wildlife corridors and broadband installation may seem routine, but they are essential to community progress. One example is the statewide Middle Mile Broadband Project with Caltrans, which is bringing high‑speed internet access to rural roadways and communities across California.

By expanding connectivity in underserved areas, the Middle Mile Broadband Project helps create opportunity and positions communities for long‑term growth, resilience and better access to essential services. Our team supports this effort by working closely with designers to avoid impacts to cultural resources while keeping these critical projects moving forward.

Share a piece of career advice.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of being your own advocate. Early in my career, I waited for others to notice my skills and accomplishments. I eventually realized how much more effective it is to speak up, highlight your work, and advocate not only for yourself, but for your team.

Today, I make a point to advocate for the people I work with and ensure their contributions are visible. As a leader, I’m always looking for someone who could one day take my job.

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For Monica Wilson, history isn’t just something to read about, it’s something to uncover, preserve, and share with communities. Monica has spent the past decade ensuring the stories embedded in our built environment remain part of the places we live, work and travel. Her passion for history shines through in every project, helping keep California’s rich heritage alive and accessible today, and for generations to come.

Tell us a bit about yourself — your role and career journey.

I’ve been with ArchTam since 2015, and it’s been an incredible journey. Before joining the team, I worked on historic preservation projects that first sparked my passion for protecting cultural resources. I grew up in Southern California and later headed north for graduate school at California State University in Sacramento, where I focused on historic preservation, and the history of the American West and California. That background gave me a strong foundation and ultimately led me to a career in historic preservation.

Most days start with research and planning, but that’s just a piece of the work. I spend a lot of time out in the field, boots on the ground, documenting resources and figuring out how projects might impact them. Tribal outreach is another important part of my work, making sure we honor and respect cultural heritage throughout the process. We support agencies meet their Federal regulatory responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and often work closely with agencies like the Federal Transit Administration, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the National Park Service, and local agencies. It’s work that combines technical expertise with storytelling and that balance is what keeps me passionate about what I do.

Transportation projects have been a major part of my career, and I’m thankful to be working in California where the highway system is one of the most intricate and expansive in the nation. I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects where even the roadway itself is historic, traversing districts that tell stories of engineering feats and cultural evolution.

Every project is a chance to protect history while supporting progress, and that’s what makes this work so meaningful to me.

How do you incorporate community involvement into your work?

Community is at the heart of historic preservation. It’s not just about old buildings, there are so many resource types we analyze, including landscapes, bridges, roads, dams, canals, farms and utilities, that hold meaning for the people who live there. These resources are often the lifeblood of neighborhoods, symbols people connect with and care deeply about.

One of my favorite parts of the job is uncovering stories that even longtime locals didn’t know existed. Sharing those discoveries is so rewarding, especially when clients incorporate them into interpretive panels or websites that offer such a public benefit and celebrate local history.

Southern California is where this work feels especially personal for me. I was born and raised in Riverside County, and the region’s diversity of resources and communities makes every project unique. From Los Angeles to the Inland Empire to San Diego, I’ve seen firsthand how our work impacts communities in meaningful ways.

Preserving the look and feel of a corridor or integrating historic buildings into modern designs helps maintain a sense of place.

Talk to us about a project that has been a major highlight of your career.

Two projects stand out for me. The first is our ongoing work at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, where we’ve surveyed numerous historic-age properties across the campus. Each with its own story about America’s space program and scientific innovation. This long-term effort, which began in 2014, is providing Section 106 compliance services for facility improvements to further cutting-edge research, all while preserving their historic integrity. It’s a fascinating intersection of science, design, history and innovation.

Another highlight was the cultural resources effort following the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles. Our team worked quickly to document the historic properties within the impacted communities, like the Andrew McNally House in Altadena and the Department of Water and Power Distributing Station No. 29 in Palisades, both of which were designed by master architect Frederick Roehrig. Our team provided monitoring during the private property debris removal process to protect archaeological sites. The work was challenging, but documenting the area’s history ensures that even after loss, communities can continue to honor and celebrate their heritage.

Share a piece of career advice.

One of the most rewarding parts of this work is helping position people for success and supporting young professionals as they grow. My best advice is to get to know your team and their strengths. Cultural resource management is complex, no one person can do it all. If you don’t know how to do something, know who to ask. Collaboration is key, and watching a well-coordinated team tackle challenges efficiently is both inspiring and a reminder that great outcomes come from leveraging collective expertise.

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