Stories of SWCA: Mikko Moy

Behind every project at SWCA are people with unique stories.

Stories of SWCA is a monthly series highlighting the people behind our work. Each feature explores an employee’s background and career journey—what brought them to SWCA, what drives them, and how their work contributes to our mission and impact.

Based in the Chicago office, Mikko Moy is a wildlife biologist and bat specialist-turned-operations administrator who has worked in a variety of roles across SWCA for nearly 10 years.

Let’s meet Mikko.

Bats!

Moved by a desire to help animals, Mikko initially thought to pursue a career as a veterinarian before finding a better fit in wildlife biology. “I saw wildlife biology as a way to help the planet, basically to try to conserve species,” Mikko says. She was also intrigued by its methods.

In her final year of college, Mikko participated in a pilot study that compared recordings of bat calls that were taken from a truck to those recorded on bicycles. This helped define her focus further. “Imagine riding a bike at night in cornfields with this microphone and a bat detector and recording calls. That was really fun,” Mikko remembers. “That was my first taste of the bat world.”

“Bats have a bad rep,” Mikko says, “so I was excited to help conserve a species that’s so misunderstood.”

Mikko Moy holds a little brown bat during a mist net bat survey in Minnesota

Mikko Moy in the field.

SWCA Origin Story

This led Mikko to SWCA. She didn’t have any personal connections to the firm, but “Drew Carson took a chance on me… He was building up SWCA’s Bat Survey program in the region, and he saw my experience and trusted me to contribute to it,” Mikko says.

Mikko spent years doing bat surveys and other kinds of field work. She credits fellow bat biologist, Carly Kalina, with helping her grow professionally. “She’s passionate and a great teacher,” Mikko observes, “I think it’s really important, especially for early career professionals to find a good mentor that is willing to show you the ropes.”

Hats! A Tale of Transformation

In 2022, Mikko transitioned from field to office.

“I wear a lot of hats,” she says. As Associate Operations Administrator for SWCA’s Chicago office, she helps with day-to-day operations, coordinates office events, schedules business development meetings and just about anything else that comes up.

“But first and foremost, I feel like my duty is helping the field team.”

Having done that work, Mikko understands the challenging conditions and long hours field crews endure. “So, I want them to know that whenever they send a logistics request, they can trust me to follow through. If they need hotel reservations changed or need help resolving a safety issue or just need some extra support – I’m here for them,” Mikko says.

Mikko gets some quality time with Action Figure Steve Carothers.

SWCA Gives Back

Mikko is proud of the relationships and level of trust that she’s built with her teams in the field and in the office. She’s also proud of her role as Chicago’s Gives Back Champion. In this role, she helps the office live SWCA’s core value of giving back to employees in need, the environment, and the communities in which we work.

With her support, Chicago won the firm’s 2025 Have a Heart award for its impressive community impact. This was the first time the Chicago office won the award.

This commitment not only benefits the community, Mikko says, but it makes SWCA better. “It’s been amazing to see the difference we have made in our communities, but we also see work friendships blossom and grow through these volunteer events.”

Sarah Zink, Mikko Moy and Joseph Fluder celebrate the Chicago team’s 2025 Have A Heart Award.

What Employee Ownership Means to Mikko

Mikko’s commitment to the SWCA core value, OneSWCA, comes out in everything she does, whether it’s deepening relationships through the Gives Back program or supporting field teams. Employee ownership is no different.

“Employee ownership means everyone’s working towards a common goal,” she says, “even if we’re working on different things. Hence, OneSWCA. We’re all working on a common goal to deliver great work and win repeat clients… And whatever profit we earn is ultimately returned to us.”