Mallory Howdyshell – Environmental Compliance
From student to construction professional, Mallory Howdyshell, environmental compliance, has built a career around safeguarding the environment. As the first person in her family to attend college, Mallory took her aunt’s advice to heart: “Knowledge is something no one can take away from you.” That encouragement led her to Shepherd University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a concentration in sustainable resource management.
In college, Mallory sought out experiences that allowed her to apply what she learned in real-world settings. She worked on the university farm, completed internships with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Division of Highways and co-founded a chapter of Pi Epsilon, an environmental honor society. While her degree focused on environmental science, a local water quality crisis in West Virginia—methane contamination in private wells—shifted her interest toward the construction industry and the ways it intersects with environmental compliance.
After graduating in 2023, Mallory applied to numerous positions before accepting her first offer with Kinsley Construction. In her role, she monitors projects to ensure compliance with NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits. She inspects stormwater management systems, construction entrances, inlet protections, swales, basins and other environmental controls, documenting everything through detailed reports and photos. As the only environmental compliance professional in Kinsley Construction’s Hagerstown office, she enjoys the independence her role offers and the opportunity to travel from site to site, seeing projects through from start to finish.
“I never thought I’d be in construction, but I enjoy the work I do,” Mallory said. “It’s rewarding to see projects completed responsibly and know I’m helping protect the environment while supporting the team.” She encourages other women to pursue careers in male-dominated trades and STEM fields. “Dive in headfirst. Women belong in all spaces where decisions are being made. In the workplace, having diverse perspectives provides impactful results and efficiency to the industry,” she added.
Outside of work, Mallory enjoys hiking, kayaking and collecting houseplants. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue traveling and pursue a master’s degree to expand her expertise and career opportunities.
“When you’re stepping into a STEM career or construction career, it can feel overwhelming at first but taking the leap and trusting yourself can open doors you never expected.”
