Recycling is a large, growing and increasingly talked about business. And, like many industries, there are more men than women in leadership roles. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make up 56 percent of the workforce but hold only 15.5 percent of the jobs in waste management and remediation. So how do we get more women interested in fields related to creating a circular economy?
This week, I had the privilege of participating on a panel at the Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum, a national conference celebrating women who are helping to drive success in our industry and shaping their companies’ future for the better. Moderator Teresa Schell and my fellow panelists Marcia Coulson, Jennifer Forell, Rolfe Olsen and I.
One key theme of the discussion was the resilience of women in the workforce, including the plastics industry, as we demonstrate adaptability, skill, and determination in a sector often dominated by male leaders.
As women in recycling, we talk about having a seat at the table. In many cases, we have the knowledge yet sit on the sidelines when we could be making mold-breaking contributions. In my experience, there are five must-haves to help female leaders accelerate their careers:
- Business acumen and knowledge of the industry beyond your day-to-day role
- Competence demonstrated every day to show your value to the organization
- Self confidence to say what needs to be said, and the ability to take credit gracefully when it is earned
- A mentor to help you navigate the corporate environment and an advocate to stand up for you when you are not in the ‘room where it happens’
- The ability to be true to yourself—to know what you want in a career, and to serve as an internal compass when there are tough choices to be made along the way
As America’s first female secretary of state Madeleine Albright alluded to in her famous quote, it will take all of us in leadership roles today to look out for the next shining stars and help them succeed by sharing our experiences, guidance and networks.
I’d like to thank my fellow panelists for their leadership in this quest. With experience in the industry ranging from a few years to multiple decades, they are demonstrating the value women bring to a circular economy every day and are lighting a path for women who will be our next leaders.
Women in recycling now are breaking the mold every day. I look forward to seeing more of these future leaders rise to the C-suite and beyond to make our industry as strong as it can be, furthering our mission to optimize the use of resources and encourage environmental stewardship for the betterment of all.
“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
–Madeleine Albright, 2006
