Leadership with purpose

Della Schall Young is a two-time CFANS alum and CEO of Young Environmental Consulting Group. She earned an undergraduate degree in natural resources and environmental studies, and a master's degree in water resources science. 

The intersections of water

My interest in natural resources began when I visited my grandmother as a child in the West African nation of Liberia. She lived in the interior of the country where water had to be drawn from a well and purified. The process just to have clean, drinkable water was eye-opening.

Over time, that early experience grew into a deeper passion for the many ways water intersects with our lives. It’s not just about managing water as a technical resource — it’s about how water connects to human health, mental health, well-being, and the ecology of entire systems. We can’t look at water in a silo. Everyone depends on it, yet it’s often dismissed or taken for granted in ways that feel unreal to me.

What brings me the greatest joy is thinking holistically about water — how we talk about it, how we value it, and how decisions around water shape people and communities. 

Deepening her expertise

I was working as a hydrologist when I really figured out what I was passionate about and what I wanted to learn more about. I learned about modeling and the intricacies of simulating real world conditions. I knew I wanted a better understanding of the technical side — fluid dynamics, the civil component, and the hydraulics, but also how do you integrate that into a model and then making sure those models simulate real world conditions. That’s what led me to my master’s degree in water resources science. I had a thirst and desire to up my game and learn more in that technical space. 

Excellence, integrity, and science

Young Environmental Consulting Group, LLC is committed to helping clients execute projects in environmentally responsible ways. As CEO, my goal is to continue growing with our clients and to fulfill their needs with excellence, integrity, strong scientific knowledge, and a passion for water. Likewise, I think my work is a comprehensive look at the regulatory arena, engagement of people and looking at design and the impact it has on people. 

So much of my role involves every aspect of what I learned from the University. From the ability to apply and evaluate policy and how it impacts my work, people, and the environment, to hardcore design from that same perspective, and even to thinking holistically about how we bring partners along so that the solution is not just “me-driven” but “we- and us-driven.” It’s about looking at the greater good.

Finding her voice at CFANS

I often say that CFANS chose me. I knew I wanted to work with water, but I was still figuring out where I belonged. I transferred to the St. Paul campus after advisors suggested I might be a good fit for the agricultural space. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

After completing my undergraduate degree in CFANS, I stayed deeply connected to the College. The mentorship, the professors, and the relationships made a lasting impact. I’m still in touch with faculty members I worked with in the 1990s — relationships that went beyond the classroom. We would sit in a cafe and just talk. What they offered wasn’t only book knowledge; they helped deconstruct my ideas of hierarchy and what it meant to interact with someone with a Ph.D. Coming from Africa, there were clear expectations around hierarchy, and spending time with professors in that way wasn’t something I had imagined. CFANS broke down those barriers. It helped me find my voice, engage more confidently, and grow both personally and professionally. That experience is what I mean when I say CFANS chose me — and I’m proud to be a graduate of the College.

Preparing for success

Preparedness is everything. You have to think deeply about what you’re stepping into and how you’re preparing yourself to succeed in that space. Starting a business is not for the timid; you have to be strong, and you have to have grit. It’s also a deeply lonely place. No one truly understands the weight of it except other business owners.

At the same time, there’s a more hopeful side to that reality. When you put in the work and you’re prepared, success will come. For me, preparation meant being ready for failure — anticipating the land mines, the setbacks, and the unexpected challenges. What I wasn’t as prepared for was growth: how to scale, how to lead through success, and how to carry that responsibility. That, more than anything else, has been my greatest challenge — and my greatest opportunity.

Meeting high expectations

I carry a lot of history with me — an understanding that, historically, you had to be exceptional just to be seen. Being both a woman and African American often meant walking into rooms with the assumption that I wouldn’t measure up, and responding by working ten times harder. That mindset has stayed with me. I hold myself to a very high standard, and I hold others to that same standard. In this new leadership space, I’ve sometimes been told that my expectations are too high. I find that fascinating, because to me, they are simply the expectations I place on myself. 

Get the most of your experience

I was lucky that I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in a water-related field. My advice to anyone reading this is to be visible. As easy as it is to do, don’t hide. Make sure you are getting the most out of your experiences, whether in college or other aspects of your life. Also, find your mentors. They may be professors. They may be relatives, neighbors, or family friends. It’s important to make connections with people who can help you succeed. Lastly, do what you love to do. CFANS helped me get where I am today, but my career started because I found something I was truly passionate about. I want you to do the same.

In Grounded in Purpose, members of CFANS’ Black community share how they discovered their niche in nature. From students and postdocs to faculty and alumni, they are advancing work to preserve and protect the planet.