Sara Poetting Named 2026 Iowa State University Outstanding Young Professional
Poetting has been recognized for excelling in her profession early in her career.
The Iowa State University College of Design has recognized RDG Landscape Architect and Partner Sara Poetting, PLA, ASLA, with the 2026 Outstanding Young Professional Award. Established in 2020, the award recognizes College of Design alumni who earned their most recent degree from Iowa State University within the past 10 years and have excelled early in their careers. Poetting is a 2016 graduate of the College of Design, earning her bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture.
Poetting joined RDG Planning & Design as an intern and has remained with the firm since graduating from Iowa State University. She has shaped significant projects in Iowa, including the University of Iowa Health Sciences Academic Building and Des Moines University’s Medicine and Health Sciences Campus, as well as several public projects for the City of Marion, where she served as project manager and landscape architect for Uptown Marion’s Central Plaza, coordinating specialty consultants and working closely with the city to deliver the multiyear revitalization project. The plaza received the 2026 Signature Project Award in the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Main Street Iowa Development Awards for its impact on downtown vitality and its multigenerational, community-driven design.
In addition to her impactful project work, Poetting has been recognized for her contributions to the landscape architecture profession, notably receiving the Judith Metzger / Floyd Zimmerman Emerging Professional Award from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (St. Louis ASLA) in 2024. The accolade underscores the exceptional talent and dedication Poetting has brought to the profession, both in her work at RDG and through her leadership of the St. Louis ASLA Chapter, where she served as both chapter president and communications chair. Poetting was promoted to RDG Partner in 2026, recognition of her commitment and contributions to the firm’s achievements and its ability to serve clients and communities well.
Conferred annually, the Outstanding Young Professional Award is part of the Homecoming Honors and Awards, where Iowa State University welcomes alumni and friends back during homecoming week to recognize the honorees for their outstanding achievements, leadership and service to the community. The 95th Annual Honors and Awards ceremony took place on Friday, October 2, in Ames, Iowa.