Growing up in Lincoln, Massachusetts, Sarah Lawson was introduced to building at a young age by her father, an engineer who believed in teaching his daughters how to use tools and think structurally. Her first construction job – building a multi-leveled, cantilevered deck on the family home during college – planted the seed for what would eventually become a remarkable career in the building industry.
Sarah earned a B.A. in Political Science from Hampshire College, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and was a Fulbright Scholar before beginning her professional life as a technical writer. After 15 years in that field, she pivoted to pursue her passion for construction, working first for a small builder before joining S+H Construction as a project manager in 2006. She quickly rose through the ranks, gaining recognition for her project management skill and technical expertise – earning a Preservation Award from the Cambridge Historical Commission and developing a widely used energy code reference guide for building inspectors across Massachusetts.
In 2016, Sarah purchased S+H Construction from its founders, Alex Slive and Doug Hanna. As President, she led the company through a period of innovation and growth, implementing new systems, expanding services, and reinforcing S+H’s position as a leader in high-end residential construction.
In 2025, Sarah transitioned into the role of Chair. In this new capacity, she shifted her focus outward – building and nurturing relationships with architects, clients, and industry partners – while continuing to guide the company’s strategic direction. She remains the owner of S+H and works closely with newly appointed President Ed Sullivan to ensure a strong and seamless leadership transition.
Outside of work, Sarah is a devoted mother of two, stepmother of four, and grandmother of seven. She is also a competitive Masters Track and Field athlete.