I had the privilege of chairing the Spirit of Lauren Committee this year. When I was asked to take on the role, I felt both honored and a bit nervous. Honored because this award represents so much of what makes Sain Associates special and nervous because, after serving on the committee before, I knew just how difficult it can be to select just one recipient.
It also struck me that many of our newer employees might not fully understand the deeper meaning behind this award — why we honor Lauren, and what she represents to all of us. That realization became clear when one of our younger committee members asked, “So what’s the story behind this award?” I was grateful for the question because it gave me the chance to share my own Lauren story.
Meeting Lauren
I first met Lauren shortly after I joined Sain in 2012. She had just returned from a leave of absence for cancer treatment, yet she immediately went out of her way to welcome the new guy and make me feel part of the team.
Everyone who knew Lauren has a special story. Jim Meads has spoken about her humor and love for a good golf joke, while Jeff Stephenson often remembers her professionalism and dedication as a traffic engineer. For me, it was our shared passion for distance running that created an instant connection.
Runners know it takes two things — endurance and mental toughness — and Lauren had both. She told me she wanted to run the Mercedes Half Marathon in early 2013, just months after completing treatments. I told her, “Let’s do it together!” And we did. We encouraged each other through the training, and I’ll never forget seeing her cross that finish line with a smile. We both agreed to run it again the next year.
Finding Purpose
As the next race season approached, I was preparing for my first full marathon to mark a milestone birthday. Lauren was there with her usual encouragement and positivity. Even while managing her own personal challenges, she reminded me to stay focused on what truly matters.
She told me something that has stayed with me ever since. The key to joy is finding purpose: purpose in running, purpose in our families, purpose in our work, and purpose in caring for others. Those weren’t just words for Lauren; they were how she lived her life every day. Her positivity wasn’t forced; it was genuine. She had a way of lifting others up, even when life wasn’t easy. That’s what made her so special.
Running in Her Honor
As Lauren’s health declined a few years later, I decided to run one more race in her honor. During those miles, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much she would’ve loved being out there. The energy, the challenge, the community — all of it. That race wasn’t about time or medals; it was about carrying her spirit forward.
Lauren fought her battles with courage and grace, and she lived her life with an incredible sense of purpose. Her example continues to inspire me, and so many others, to this day.
What the Spirit of Lauren Means
You don’t have to face hardship to embody the Spirit of Lauren. What matters is how you live and work with kindness, commitment, persistence, positivity, and care for others. Receiving this award isn’t about personal achievement; it’s about how your presence makes a difference to the people around you. That’s what Lauren did, and that’s the kind of legacy worth striving for.
Lauren showed us that purpose and compassion can transform not only how we work, but how we live. Her spirit is woven into the heart of Sain Associates, and it’s up to all of us to keep that spirit alive.
Honoring the 2025 Spirit of Lauren Award Recipient
This year, the Spirit of Lauren Award was presented to Tracy Rushing, Administrative Assistant at Sain Associates. Tracy joined Sain in 2019 and has been a cornerstone of hospitality and positivity ever since.
When you think of hospitality at Sain, Tracy is often the first person who comes to mind. She greets everyone with a warm smile each morning, ensures visitors feel comfortable, and goes above and beyond to make every event run smoothly. Her “serve first” mindset reflects her genuine kindness and her constant desire to take care of others.
Tracy’s care is persistent and intentional. She doesn’t brush off a casual “don’t worry about it” — instead, she looks for solutions, follows through, and ensures everyone has what they need. Many of us have seen this firsthand, whether it’s helping when someone’s lunch order goes wrong or, in my case, making sure I had an engineering scale when I needed one. These moments might seem small, but they collectively define what makes Sain a special place to work.
Tracy’s commitment is evident in everything she does. Without her dedication, events wouldn’t happen as seamlessly, submittals might miss deadlines, and many of us — engineers, planners, accountants, IT, GIS, and beyond — wouldn’t have the tools we need to do our jobs effectively. Yet what truly stands out is the positivity she brings to every task. Whether she’s setting up for a baby shower, ordering supplies, or washing dishes after a lunch-and-learn, she does it all with a smile and often a laugh shared with others.
It’s hard to imagine anyone maintaining such a bright attitude while serving others as much as she does. Tracy’s example reminds us that kindness and purpose don’t have to be grand gestures, but they shine brightest in everyday moments. The Spirit of Lauren Award provides the recipient with a $500 gift card and a $500 contribution to a charity of their choice. Tracy has selected the Shelby Humane Society for her charitable donation.
Congratulations, Tracy! Thank you for carrying forward the spirit of Lauren through your daily actions, your selflessness, and your joyful heart.