How did your career start, and what has your work experience been?
In all honesty, I had a challenging upbringing and later became a single mother. These experiences were tough, but they motivated me to provide a better life for my son. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I initially struggled to start a meaningful career. I took a temporary position as an administrative assistant in a human resources training department, which sparked my passion for the field. The company I worked for then supported me to return to school, so I pursued and received my master’s degree and professional in HR certification. Along with my work experience, this allowed me to continue to grow in a career that I loved and be able to provide for my growing family. I have been working in human resources for about 22 years and still enjoy it. It is constantly changing, and there are always new challenges in this line of work to keep it exciting. There is never a dull moment, and there are so many ways to contribute, which I truly love.
Will you talk about your current role at Clean Earth?
I came to Clean Earth about two years ago as an HR Business Partner Manager and was recently promoted to Senior HR Business Partner Manager. I enjoy working regionally in the south alongside a great team of managers dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the workplace. My job is to support Clean Earth employees. One thing I enjoy about my role is the opportunity to adapt and talk through issues with others, navigating diverse perspectives and experiences to work together effectively. I truly believe we can all make a difference for those around us and the work we do every day.
Are there any misconceptions people may have about your position?
Definitely. Many people believe the negative stereotypes that HR employees are out to get them, are out of touch, or do not care about people. A great example would be “Toby” from the famous sitcom “The Office.” This is quite the opposite, as I think most people see their HR position as a way of helping people and making a difference in the workplace. In my case, I get satisfaction in helping others and making myself approachable to allow all employees’ voices to be heard.
Let’s talk about some of the highlights of your career. What has been the most rewarding or meaningful part of your work experience thus far?
I have worked at several companies and on many teams, gaining valuable experience and knowledge. I do not profess to know everything, but working with teams of great people has been the highlight of my career. I grew up in the Chicago area and have worked and moved to a few different states, such as California, Utah, and most recently, Florida. At Clean Earth, I have found another great team to be a part of and contribute to. It is all about the people and the experiences for me. I feel incredibly fortunate in my career to have had the opportunity to move around and learn from such amazing people.
How do you enjoy your time outside of work?
I have three adult children and a husband of 26 years with whom I spend most of my time. I am a big outdoors person and really am never home on my time off. I love to hike, bike, paddleboard, camp, etc. Anything outdoors in nature and traveling is where I want to be for the most part.
How do you empower other women in our industry? What advice do you want to share?
I have always gravitated towards getting involved in women’s groups at the companies I have worked for including professional coaching and mentoring. I have always been in more male-dominated industries, so to be able to support women and give them resources for growth and development has been my passion. I have been a Co-Lead of Enviri Women for about six months, and it has been truly rewarding.
My biggest advice for women is to encourage them to have a voice and a place at the table while also reminding them not to allow others to intimidate or limit their potential. The sky is the limit for us all, and I have always embraced a growth mindset in my life and career.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at the start of your career?
I would tell myself to put myself out there more and take more risks. I have always been an introvert and more on the quiet side, but I have had to conquer this and become more extroverted and confident throughout my career, especially while working in HR. It has been a long and difficult road at times, but I feel I have overcome many limiting beliefs and obstacles along the way. I read a lot and have gained a lot of good insight and knowledge from others.
How should we encourage the younger generation of women to join the waste industry?
I think creating more opportunities by mentoring and encouraging each other would open more doors in the industry. I am proud when I see a woman in a leadership role, especially in a male-dominated industry, but it is still more of a rarity than I would like to see. Younger women may initially feel intimidated by the lack of representation in their company or industry, but at Clean Earth, we are striving to build opportunities and a strong representation.