2025 40 Under 40: Saki Urushidani

As a professional engineer for the city of Springfield since 2017, Saki Urushidani experienced her pinnacle moment last year when she unveiled the city’s Fairgrounds Green Infrastructure Project.

Urushidani, 31, hosted a dedication ceremony for the project whose benefits included improving stormwater quality, correcting drainage issues and bringing beauty to a formerly unmaintained area.

“Over 7,000 native plant plugs were planted, which will enhance the beauty of the area but also provide food and habitat for pollinators and other animals,” she says.

It will also reduce the heat island effect and improve air quality, she says.

“I love finding solutions for our community that can achieve multiple goals and am excited to continue to encourage the city to use green infrastructure in our different projects,” she says.

First job? In high school, I interned at a molecular microbiology lab at the Washington University Medical School.

What would shock people about your job? When it rains, the water doesn’t get cleaned by a treatment plant like when you take a shower, do your laundry or flush your toilet. It instead goes straight to a stream, which eventually will lead to Table Rock Lake or Stockton Lake.

Favorite hobby or creative outlet? I like to crochet.

Favorite local food order? Half the menu from Corner 21, but if I had to choose just one dish, probably the hot crispy fish.