Monica Cooper

With 36 years of experience, Monica’s path into the environmental field began unexpectedly when a family connection opened the door to a marketing role at an environmental firm after graduating college. Despite having no background in the industry, she quickly immersed herself in the world of environmental services and proposal development. Her journey with CAPE began through the acquisition of her previous company, where she continued as Manager of Marketing Services. In 2000, she officially joined CAPE, taking the lead of a Southern California-based team of proposal coordinators and technical editing and production staff.

Monica’s leadership trajectory at CAPE has been marked by steady advancement and strategic impact. Just three years after joining, she was promoted to Vice President and Director of Business Development, joining the Executive Team and overseeing business development personnel nationwide. In 2021, she was elevated to Senior Vice President.

Throughout her tenure, Monica has played a pivotal role in guiding CAPE through significant market shifts. She recalls that the word “change” consistently surfaced during the company’s rebranding efforts—so much so that the delta symbol was incorporated into the CAPE logo. Under her leadership, the Business Development Team has successfully navigated transitions into and out of markets such as fuels, clean construction, Department of Energy contracts, and even operations in war zones. Her team’s ability to pivot and adapt has been instrumental in CAPE’s continued success.

Monica’s management style is dynamic and responsive to the needs of her team. She strives to empower her team by setting clear goals and providing the tools and trust they need to thrive, recognizing the unique strengths of each generation and evolving her leadership to support the rising talent within CAPE. As a leader, Monica identifies most with “authentic leadership.” She strives to lead with empathy, fairness, and integrity—building trust through active listening and consistent follow-through.

Looking ahead, Monica envisions a bright future for CAPE. She believes that as long as the company maintains its “We, Not Me” culture, it can achieve anything. By continuing to invest in its people and uphold its core values, CAPE is well-positioned to enter new markets and evolve alongside its clients’ missions for generations to come.

“There are two main things I love about CAPE: our people and the dynamic aspects of our business. Most importantly, I get to work with some of the best people in our business, and we fully embrace our culture of ‘We, Not Me,’ which makes work fulfilling. Secondly, there is never a dull moment at CAPE. We are constantly changing and adapting to new opportunities and challenges, which makes work fun and exciting.”