.jpg?sfvrsn=9c48f403_2 "Meet the Board")
Meet the Board
Meet NAEM's new Board of Directors and hear what they hope to accomplish to enhance your membership
Member Appreciation Week Schedule
Meet NAEM’s talented new 2021-2022 Board of Directors. Hear how they plan to enhance your membership and insights they have for you to get the most out of your membership.
We asked each Board member to share insights about what they hope to accomplish, how they use NAEM to enhance their EHS&S career, and more. You can read their answers grouped by category by clicking on the links below, or by Board member in the following section.
We asked each Board member to share insights about what they hope to accomplish, how they use NAEM to enhance their EHS&S career, and more. You can read their answers grouped by category by clicking on the links below, or by Board member in the following section.
Board Member Q&A
Mike Miller, President, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“Continue to guide NAEM into a digital future. Continue to position NAEM as a leader in our space.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“NAEM has been an important part of my career development.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“I feel NAEM’s mission and purpose rings true for even more professionals and companies during this time. My board service will be shaped by the dynamics of the pandemic.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I want to continue to give back to an organization that has meant so much to my professional development over the past 20+ years.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“Attending the EHS&S Management Forums.”
Anne Monine, 1st Vice President, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“I hope to play an active role in building a flourishing NAEM from by strengthening all 4 pillars of NAEM's foundational program offerings:
- Trusted Network: Creative ways (virtually or in-person or even with gaming avatars) to network and make lasting connections that support the EHS&S development, maturity and performance of individuals, the companies they represent, or on mutual projects that further EHS&S professionals.
- Trusted Resource: Brainstorm, take lead, and participate on timely, relevant and valuable topics that can provide solutions to critical issues facing our community of practice.
- Voice of the Practice: Continual learning for members/affiliates with best practices, most effective technologies, and approaches that allows EHS&S professionals/leaders/champions to move from the people-centric state (reactive, siloed response) to systems-centered state (proactive, integrative preparation).
- Developing Leaders: Pay-it-forward to those beginning, mid-journey of their career, while continuing to learn!”
“From an introspective viewpoint, I have learned so much from interacting with truly creative, innovative and resourceful pool of NAEM members, affiliates and staff members. Interactions with NAEM or members of my network ‘recharge’ and invigorate me — preparing me to be a better leader, strategic thinker, communicator and champion for EHS&S. This energy and confidence in approach allows me to represent my corporation and be the ‘compass and conscience’ often needed.
From an external look, NAEM has expanded my vision, my scope — beyond myself, my people and my company — to support high school and university fields of study (process safety, safe design, permitting and operational environmental compliance) and course offerings. I have become the corporate champion of our engineering intern program, new employee EHS&S on-boarding and volunteer activities, and EHS&S competency requirements/training/demonstration opportunities for many job families. I have taken great pleasure in creating, deploying and realizing an EHS&S corporate strategy with the support of some of the most talented employees I have ever seen — or had the honor — to lead (or often, just stand out of their way!). At each stage, I was able participate in NAEM for the different needs throughout my career — always learning, leaning-in, and laughing.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“Of course, I do not know what is in store as we move into 2021; however, after seeing the stress and strain that everyone bore (isolation, stress, frustration, uncertainty, financial difficulties including reductions-in-force) and all of the incredible adaptations (laughter, Zoom usage by the elderly, care and kindness from neighbors and healthcare providers, family dinners, distanced exercise clubs...), I have learned that what we do matters. Where we choose to devote our previous time is important. Consideration of others is crucial. How often we laugh — and dance, pray, sing, check on friends and families or employees — is important to my wellbeing, to others and to our society. So I have a new view on life. Work on what is important: Family, friends, community (including NAEM). I accepted the Board position, with a strong determination to ‘Be Involved’ and to give NAEM my time, attention and support.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I truly want to collaborate with some of the most interesting people I have ever met. To work together for something that is important to all of us and ensure NAEM has the legacy, reputation and brand they so richly deserve. Setting strategy, finding connections, bias for action and driving results: all directed at bettering my chosen profession. Can’t think of a better way to support NAEM’s honorable mission.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“I have two that were recent. One: Charlotte — I was able to bring a few of my international Directors to the NAEM annual EHS&S Forum. The big evening event included food, live music, pool tables and darts. A great number of participants attended and the energy in the place reminded me of college scenes (you know, when your football team won THE away game of the season and everyone was out, all celebrating; nothing in common except they all went to the same college). My team got to meet so many people during the day and then have a lively evening of celebrating a successful event.
Two: Fort Lauderdale — the close-out session in the big ballroom. NAEM Forum team members performed for everyone. just little 5-minute looks into their lives, their jobs, themselves as people. I was mesmerized by each performance, choreographed to the slideshows with music that ‘kicked ass’. It was better than any paid performance my companies have purchased to ‘awe’ employees at the end of a conference. I have got to say, I have been a little star-struck around some of those performers since then (including Deborah and Drena who are still on the the Board)!”
Nicole Wilkinson, 2nd Vice President, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“To be an active and contributing member of the leadership team. To continue to guide and assist the NAEM staff on moving the organization forward on establishing and executing a strategic plan to ensure NAEM’s success as the leading industry group for EHS&S.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“NAEM is an integral part of my external network and trusted resource for industry research. NAEM provides a platform for connecting with my peers across all industries. There is no other organization that offers this opportunity with this level of professionalism and integrity.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“I would have preferred the in-person meetings, but we are certainly all accustomed to web-based communication. I think 2020 will benefit NAEM in the long run. Some of these changes were necessary to address limitation on company travel and budgets as well as time.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I want to give back to my profession and NAEM allows me to do so effectively. I believe my contributions to NAEM will benefit the next generation of EHS&S professionals.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“Participating on the Board. I can’t wait to see what the next few years brings.”
Fawn Bergen, Treasurer, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“During my time on the NAEM Board of Directors, I hope to support NAEM’s mission while identifying new opportunities and contributing to continuous improvement of the organization. Since early 2020, our world has seen unprecedented challenges and therefore organizations such as NAEM had to make big changes quickly. There are no easy answers to these solutions, but I am very excited to be part of the Board of Directors and to work with NAEM staff to continue delivering value to members, providing networking and career growth opportunities while keeping members and meeting attendees safe. Two specific areas I hope to advance within the organization are inclusion (what are our blind spots as an organization and how can we advance a culture of inclusivity so our members and attendees feel included and empowered, and how can we leverage this to grow our membership) and environmental leadership (how can NAEM role-model environmental leadership by incorporating sustainability practices into all NAEM events).”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“Since my first NAEM event I attended many years ago, I have gained so much personally and professionally from every event I participated in. NAEM creates an environment of open and honest sharing of successes and challenges EHS&S professionals face. This allows us to take these learnings back to our jobs, improving our own programs as a result. Events such as the Women’s Leadership Roundtable have helped me grow professionally through targeted workshops and leadership skills opportunities, while creating a culture of support and inclusion.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“Two main areas that I think will be important themes from 2020 and beyond are how to adapt and how to truly listen with an open mind. The impacts of the pandemic have forced organizations to quickly change how they operate. NAEM has done a great job of shifting to a virtual format, but it will take work and creativity to ensure the organization can remain successful in whatever the ‘new normal’ is. Listening with an open mind goes hand-in-hand with this success. We must keep asking ourselves: Are we being inclusive and considering diversity? What is our role as an organization (and professionals) in changing systemic issues? It will be a challenge, but I know that the NAEM board, staff and members are an incredible group of people that will continue to make the organization a role model for EHS, sustainability and corporate responsibility.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“First, because NAEM is such a stellar organization that provides strong value to members. Every event I have attended has left me feeling excited about what I learned and how I can apply that to my work. Second, I want to increase my support and level of effort to contribute to the organization, bringing to the table my unique perspectives and ideas. As a 22-year environmental professional, with experience working for companies in both consulting and industry, I understand the perspectives of different companies, which I hope can support NAEM’s ‘leading edge’.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“Co-chairing the 2019 Women’s Leadership Roundtable with Drena Howard!”
Sandy Nessing, Past President, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“I’ve been privileged to lead the NAEM Board for the past three years; in my new role as Immediate Past President, my focus will be to ensure the continued success of the organization and the new leadership team. I also look forward to seeing the next iteration of a strategic plan take shape. We've been successful in executing on the current strategic plan but it is time to plan for the next phase of NAEM's growth.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I do a lot of benchmarking in my job and frequently use the Quick Polls. It's a quick and easy way to get some fast feedback on important business issues and to connect with peers who are facing the same issues. I also love the conferences and the networking that comes with them. This is a unique community of practice that is unlike any other organization I belong to and I really savor the experience because it helps me to be a better leader. I always learn something new and meet new people — that's extremely valuable to me and my career.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“The Board’s engagement with and support of the NAEM leadership team is more important than ever. Faced with a challenging financial year ahead, we will need to be in lockstep to ensure the organization is sustainable for the future. We have a strong foundation upon which to build and I'm excited to see where we will go next. 2020 also taught me how important it is to stay connected and that's going to be really important for the Board.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I’ve been engaged with NAEM as a corporate member/Regent or a member of the Board of Directors for more than 10 years. Serving on the Board has provided me with an opportunity to help shape the future of NAEM and to make meaningful contributions that empower the staff to take the right risks at the right time to ensure NAEM’s long-term sustainability. It has also helped me to sharpen my own leadership skills. I’ve met so many great people through NAEM and learned so much from them. Being on the Board is a way for me to give back to them.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“Hands-down it is the creation of the Women’s Leadership Roundtable. We weren’t sure there would be a market for yet another women’s leadership program, but the response to and growth of the conference proved that there was a significant gap — and NAEM was there to fill it. From those early days, when a group of members got together to brainstorm and organize that first program, to what it has become today is incredibly rewarding. I am blown away by how successful it has become. I am most proud of how it is now an integral part of NAEM's stable of programs, supporting the growth of emerging women leaders in the EHS&S profession. That’s what a community of practice does — it lifts up those around them.”
John Guttmann, General Counsel, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“As NAEM’s General Counsel, my role is to provide guidance to both the Board and the staff on legal and policy issues that arise during the course of the year. I hope to assist NAEM in continuing to grow and in enhancing the value that it provides to its members.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“My longstanding relationship with NAEM has been rewarding in many ways, both professionally and personally. The relationships I have developed with top-flight professionals have been extremely valuable by adding to my understanding of the challenges that my clients face every day.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“All membership organizations are facing extra challenges now. The Board must approach everything with an open mind and look at how other organizations are operating.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“For me, working with NAEM is part of my overall effort to support my clients’ efforts at environmental compliance and striving towards sustainability.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“Having time with other NAEM members at events. Hopefully we can get back to in-person functions soon!”
Greg Carli, Affiliates Council President, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“As Affiliates Council (AC) President, my goal is to continue to expand on the strong collaboration that exists between the NAEM Members and the AC. There is tremendous value creation that occurs within NAEM through an active and engaged AC community, and I hope to work with the other board members, and NAEM team, to find additional ways that AC members can contribute their talent and resources. There is a tremendous amount of change in our world and industry, and I look forward to helping NAEM continue to respond to these changes and thrive as an organization.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I use NAEM to enhance my professional career through the peer network that it creates both within the corporate membership and within my AC peers. When we all work together and create strong relationships, the opportunities are expanded for everyone. In addition, NAEM is a fantastic way to learn about the challenges and the solutions that have been employed within the EHS&S industry. It is always fascinating to hear about the broad range of issues that face our industry and the way we can all learn from one another.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“There is no doubt that we have all needed to change how we operate and do business as a result of 2020. These events show that we need to continue to evolve and be resilient to new ways of doing business and operating, and that we need to be open-minded about this at the Board level and recognize that it has a major impact on the organization.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I decided to participate in the AC leadership as natural extension of my involvement with NAEM and the AC. Over the last 15 years or so, I have benefited from tremendous leadership at the AC level and felt this was one way I could give back to the organization and the AC. Participation on the board is a further extension of this involvement and I look forward to continuing to give back to NAEM and representing the AC on the board.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“Wow, so many to choose from and I will have to go with the social side on this one. The end-of-conference event at the Hockey Hall of Fame was a highlight. Perhaps it is the hockey player in me and it is special to be in such a historic place with so many great NAEM friends.”
Deborah Briggs, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“My goal as a Board member is to help NAEM management develop and drive long term value creation for the organization. Together we will aim to establish both short and long goals that mitigate risks, drive membership and yield positive financial returns for the organization. In addition, I am passionate about and interested in the development of next-generation talent and hope to guide the organization in its development of opportunities for our Next Generation Leaders.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“NAEM has played an integral role in my professional development over the years. The organization has provided me with the opportunity to maintain my credentials, participate in communities of practice, learn from and mentor others and broadened my professional network. I strongly believe I have become a more well-rounded EHS professional by engaging with NAEM throughout my career progression.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“The magnitude of COVID hit many of us by surprise. There has been a great deal of conflicting and incomplete information about how to respond, how to operate, and how to transition back to a new normal. Handling these types of pressures productively has been and will continue to be a priority of mine. As a newly-elected member of the board, I am committed to bringing my learnings from 2020 to the position this includes being a decisive and adaptable leader. As a Board member, it will be important for me and the rest of the Board to quickly process available information, make the appropriate tradeoffs and rapidly determine what matters most to the organization and our key stakeholders.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“Participation on NAEM’s board provides a professional development opportunity for me. Board participation affords me an opportunity to gain insight into an organization that has a different operating model and way of doing business than my current organization. The deviation from my norm and the insights from other Board members will help broaden my perspective and teach me new ways of operating, as well as how different organizations and industries approach situations. In addition, NAEM has played an integral role in my development over the years and I view this opportunity as a way to leverage the skills that I have developed and give back in a meaningful way to the organization.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“My favorite experience...there are several I could speak to; however, the one that stands out for me was the year I had the opportunity to stretch myself and lead an ignite presentation. I have presented hundreds of times in front of audiences, but I have always had control over my slides and could pace the messaging. The ignite presentation required pre-timed slides and forced me to follow a script to ensure my messages were conveyed in a prescribed timeframe. I rehearsed and practiced that presentation more than any I have given in my career. When I reflect on the experience, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and the NAEM team was their supporting and encouraging me the entire time. It ended up being a very rewarding and positive experience!”
Katie Chrisler, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“I’m always looking for new ways to grow and I’m expecting my time with the NAEM board to be an excellent opportunity for me to continue to learn from such an accomplished group of peers. Beyond my personal development, I genuinely hope to be able to give back to this organization, which has guided me as I’ve learned what it means to be an EHS professional.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I lean on NAEM a lot. My team attends the conferences and forums and always has a debriefing session packed with lists of action items, benchmarking data, and stretch goals. I've also been very fortunate to develop a fantastic network through NAEM events, such as the Women's Leadership Roundtable. These contacts are always there to give guidance and feedback, whether I'm asking for an outside perspective on a new project or about personal development. I have yet to participate in an organization where the relationships have been as strong as the ones I've formed at NAEM.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“When the pandemic started, one of our senior leaders said something along the lines of ‘give me your ideas, no matter how off-the-wall they are.’ At the time, it was unthinkable to just pack up our desks, monitors, chairs, and all, and take them home for an undetermined period of time. Our IT teams got us up and running remotely in a smooth transition because of that ‘off-the-wall’ idea. This whole experience has really shown me that we must think out of the box. It's something we've all said a lot, but 2020 pushed us to act on that cliché. When the status quo will not suffice, you must navigate differently. I’m really looking forward to what ‘off-the-wall’ ideas may be the next normal and supporting NAEM through it all.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I viewed this whole process as a great learning opportunity. I heard NAEM was getting ready to vote on a new Board and decided, ‘2020 has been weird enough. Why not give it a try.’ Honestly, being 5 years into my EHS career, I had assumed I was ‘too green’ to be taken seriously as a candidate. However, this organization has made an impact on me and I wanted to see what NAEM was looking for in its leaders so I could be ready ‘for next time’. When I went through the interview process, I was reminded of the great support of everyone involved in this organization. I never felt patronized for being early in my career. I felt validated and listened to. I had ideas, and these leaders who had been influencing me from afar for years, cared to hear them. This style of leadership, of reaching out and connecting to professionals of all backgrounds: That is why I wanted to be on the NAEM Board. I genuinely hope that while I’m on the Board, I can give someone even a portion of what these leaders have given me.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“One of my favorite experiences was my first-ever NAEM Women’s Leadership Roundtable, in Portland, Oregon when I had been in my role for less than a year. The whole conference was incredible, and I left with pages and pages of notes to share with my friends and peers. I had decided not to leave the day of the conference so I could do a site visit of one of my company’s nearby locations. That evening, I found myself in the hotel lobby, eating dinner and reading a book, when I noticed someone at the other end of the bar who seemed familiar. It was Sandy Nessing! I had recognized her from the conference and went to tell her hello. I had expected a quick, cordial hello back and for her to then be on her way. Instead, Sandy and I talked for quite a long time. She told me about NAEM as an organization, her role, and career path. I asked her an incessant amount of questions, and she patiently answered each one. Sandy and I exchanged information and she has been a great mentor to me ever since!”
James Goudreau, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“I’d like to build upon the great work done by my predecessors on previous Boards and ensure that NAEM becomes widely known and respected as a relevant and impactful organization for environmental sustainability in the same way they are already known in the health, safety and environmental compliance professions. Focusing on value creation for the businesses, organizations and communities that we serve through ambitious environmental sustainability requires a systems approach instead of a siloed, compliance based approach. In order to do that effectively, we need to build the organizational capability to routinely deliver content that will allow NAEM members to present compelling, data-driven business cases for environmental sustainability. While environmental sustainability is certainly the right thing to do, we can help accelerate adoption and execution by providing data and approaches that demonstrate the benefit in language that a Chief Financial Officer would support.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I have always used NAEM as a means to find executive peers and subject matter experts who are willing to challenge my assumptions and provide an opportunity to learn from their experiences. I have never attended a meeting, event or social organized by NAEM where I failed to learn something new as a result of my conversations. I certainly plan on continuing to do that and networking through NAEM to learn, share and even discover new opportunities.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“2020 was a year that highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of our society, our systems and our professions. We’ve seen the dedication and courage of health care providers and essential workers, and we’ve seen the innovation and brilliant response from scientists as they discovered, developed and delivered therapeutics and vaccines. We’ve also seen the disproportionate impact on frontline communities, communities of color, communities of poverty...those communities have had disproportionately high case rates and death rates, and are least able to work from home, isolate, and absorb the burden of crushing medical costs due to hospitalization. This year has reinforced my belief that our work on environmental sustainability must focus on just solutions that include and address the challenges and equities for communities that have not been allowed at the table during planning even though the highest risk exposure is in their communities. Frequently, the most impacted communities are the ones that had the least to do with creating climate change and have the least ability to adapt to growing risks. This also means that we need to work in our profession to attract, recruit and retain a much more diverse group of professionals. Without new voices and new views, we will not be able to design and implement effective climate adaptation measures, and I will work to bring new and diverse voices into NAEM.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I realized I had an opportunity to help NAEM expand discussions and develop tools in our profession that focus on value creation through environmental sustainability and climate resilience. In too many instances, companies have taken a compliance-only approach in environmental topics. A focus on value creation is critical to ensure that health, safety, environment and sustainability professionals adapt to evolving stakeholder interests and pressures, and help their organizations move proactively to create value and reduce vulnerability. I’m excited to be part of a leadership team committed to helping make that happen.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“The Impact Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in summer of 2019. I was given the opportunity to help in planning the event, and the process of working with the professional staff at NAEM to put it together was fantastic, and really very easy because they know so much and have so much experience. I would certainly recommend to any NAEM member to volunteer to help plan future events, as I can assure you that not only will you learn during the process but also enjoy working with the rest of the team. Once we all got there and had an opportunity to put people into rooms for knowledge transfer, discussions and networking it was really great to see the passion and the excitement from all the participants. It was a fun week, and I look forward to gathering safely with our community in person in the months and years to come.”
Drena Howard
Executive Director, Global Environmental, Health & Safety
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Drena Howard, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“During my time on the Board, I would like to support NAEM with ideas and thought leadership to strengthen online engagement and creative ways to monetize existing and future content. I would also like to support NAEM in ways to recruit and retain future corporate leaders.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I use NAEM to enhance my professional career through networking and learning from member colleagues. I leverage learning from conferences, webinars and newsletters to keep abreast of news, trends and to spark ideas.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“The events of 2020 will impact my approach to Board service in two ways. One, it will help me to keep the virtual experience in the forefront of my ideas for NAEM from e-learnings, virtual events and platforms that can be leveraged. Two, it is critical that the EHS&S profession does not overlook the importance of diversity, and I want to find more ways to showcase and elevate diverse voices in the profession.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I decided to be on the NAEM Board to support the strategic planning that began 3 years ago. The events from COVID-19 did impact the execution of some programs but there is still a lot of strength in the strategic visioning that can be realized, and I want to support that realization with fresh and virtual ideas.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“I have a few favorite NAEM experiences: 1. The fall Forums and Women’s Leadership Roundtables are always top favorites for me and 2. I have met some of best professional friends and colleagues at NAEM networking events!”
Marc Juaire, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“First of all, we need to make sure that we continue to promote NAEM and the benefits for members and affiliates to ensure we retain the strong EHS&S community, continue to build the NAEM brand, and grow membership during this unprecedented time. I work for a mid-sized company and I want to continue to execute the growth strategy and build membership with small and mid-sized companies to fulfill NAEM’s mission to empower corporate leaders to advance environmental stewardship, create safe and healthy workplaces, and promote global sustainability.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I have been a member of NAEM for over 15 years and NAEM has helped me hone my technical and leadership skills. Learning from EHS&S professionals has helped me implement best practices and avoid pitfalls that others encountered so I don't have to find out the hard way. As EHS&S professionals, we spend a tremendous amount of time influencing without authority when we implement policies and programs. The leadership and ‘soft’ skills I have learned through NAEM have helped me be more effective as a leader and mentor to the EHS staff at LDI. Lastly, I use benchmarking (especially during the early stages of COVID-19) through the Quick Polls, Drop-In calls, benchmarking surveys, and peer-to-peer conversations to help sell a program or approach to upper management and also the front-line leaders that will need to implement the change.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“If nothing else, 2020 has taught me that we must be adaptable both personally and professionally in order to be resilient. Given this new paradigm, I think NAEM has done an excellent job transitioning programing from in-person to virtual. We have proven that we can successfully deliver quality programing in a virtual format. I was able to get my entire EHS team to attend both the OpEx Conference and EHS&S Management Forum in 2020. In the past, I was only able to get 1 or 2 team members to join me. I believe that NAEM delivered on its mission to help me build the EHS bench strength at LDI through these professional development opportunities. Thus, my approach to my service on the board is to take a step back and examine how do everything and determine the target audience for each conference to ensure the programming is tailored to the audience.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I have been involved in NAEM for quite some time. I helped start the Upper Midwest Chapter and continue to participate in local NAEM events. I have grown both professionally and personally through my involvement with NAEM, so I feel it is my time to give back to the organization that has given me so much.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“My favorite experience is the NAEM Forums that I have attended over the years. I learn practical ideas that can be implemented at LDI, but spending time away from the day-to-day grind and making connections with other in-house EHS&S professionals or affiliates. I always have fun, meet new people, and get energized to take on the new challenges.”
Kelvin Sanborn, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“I hope to contribute meaningfully to the organization because I've had an opportunity to benefit and grow based on my interaction with NAEM and fellow members over the years. It is important to me that the organization continues to meet the needs of EHS&S professionals for years to come.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“In addition to using NAEM’s 3 core offerings — benchmarking, networking, and professional development — I leverage NAEM as a platform in which the EHS&S community comes together to discuss the issues most relevant to shaping the national EHS landscape and agenda.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“COVID-19 has affected all of our lives, and it has never been more important for EHS professionals to have access to timely and accurate information as we’ve adapted to managing — and often leading our organizations’ response to — a global pandemic. NAEM can continue to provide a forum in which peers come together to have candid conversations that help us all rise to this shared challenge.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I feel like I’ve benefited so much from NAEM and it is important to me to give back to the community. While I’ve enjoyed participating in other ways, joining the Board seemed like a great next step to continue to support the mission of the organization.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“When the annual Sustainability Impact Conference pivoted to online in 2020, I decided to use the opportunity to bring a larger team to the event than in years past because it was so easy to do so. During the event, our team had a fantastic group chat over Microsoft Teams as people reacted to speakers and reflected on how we should change our approach based on what we learned — such as the impact of COVID-19 on our sustainability strategy. It was a great team-building experience and something that would have been hard to replicate while all seated silently at an in-person conference —an unexpected silver lining. We enjoyed the virtual format so much, we decided to attend the annual Forum with an even larger team and had a similar experience.”
David Williams, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?“In the near term, I am looking forward to assisting the NAEM leadership team in navigating the current challenges presented by Covid, which have led to the organization in pivoting to virtual events. NAEM has done a great job of rapidly re-imagining its formerly in-person conferences and has successfully used virtual platforms to host the virtual events. More exciting changes are coming in 2021 in this virtual mode. In the longer term, I am looking forward to helping continue the future direction of NAEM as it implements the next elements of the Association's strategic plan. NAEM has an incredible focus on the needs of its members and continuously works to find new ways to deliver more value.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I have been involved with NAEM since about 1998. During this time, NAEM has helped me in my career in so many ways by connecting me to the information I need to do my job through its webinars, research projects, quick polls and so many other resources that the organization produces. The conferences and EHS&S Forum have been great places for me to not only hear about the real-world experiences of my peers, but it has given me the opportunity to meet so many people. I have volunteered for numerous things, including participating on the Forum Planning Committee, and each of these opportunities has given me the chance to give back in a small way and has been another way to meet a lot of great EHS&S professionals. My time on the NAEM Board of Directors has been particularly rewarding — another chance to give back to the EHS&S community and an opportunity to see some extremely talented EHS&S professionals doing great work.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“This global pandemic has reminded me in a profound way that EHS&S is really about people and focusing on what is truly important. There is always more work than can be completed and more opportunities than available resources. The key is focusing on what will make the biggest difference and what can be done in a sustainable way, including appropriate work/life balance. Keeping this in mind will help me in my work as a Board member.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“I have been involved with NAEM for a long time and have received so much value from the organization. I wanted to give something back to the EHS&S community and being on the NAEM Board of Directors was an excellent way to do that.”
What has been your favorite NAEM experience?
“The EHS&S Forum has always been a favorite of mine. That event is always so well done. There is something unique about the atmosphere at the Forum — it is a fairly large event at 600+ participants, yet it still feels very intimate and personal. There is such positive energy at the event — it always reinvigorates me and I come away with a lot of learning nuggets I can take back and immediately apply.”
Carol Singer Neuvelt, Executive Director, NAEM
What do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Board?
“To expand and deepen networking opportunities among NAEM members. I’m looking forward to our members realizing the potential of the Association’s new member portal , which was designed to facilitate networking and maximize benchmarking. I also want to continue to produce timely, high-value professional development learning events and research to meet the expanding roles and responsibilities of ‘in-house’ EHS&S professionals.”
How do you use NAEM to enhance your professional career?
“I’m a lifelong learner and am passionate about building community. Because NAEM is a community of life-long learners, my work with the Association blends those career passions perfectly. As NAEM’s Executive Director, I am always learning about how companies are meeting the new challenges of EHS&S management, and continue to be enriched by the wisdom and knowledge that I learn through our programming and research. I’m thrilled every day to be able to live my professional goals by practicing my values of building and supporting NAEM’s professional community.”
How will the events of 2020 impact how you approach your Board service?
“We will forever be impacted by 2020 in several ways. Meeting the challenges of operating and providing services in last year’s business climate reminded me of the importance of being flexible, innovative and customer-centric. We focused on our members’ needs, and in doing so, NAEM staff found new ways to support our EHS&S management community through online discussion sessions and virtual programming. While transitioning to online learning was part of the Association’s long-term strategy, we were propelled into this in 2020. And lastly, I’m even more committed to the mission of NAEM. Last year EHS&S professionals thoroughly demonstrated the vital role they play in managing policies, processes and systems within their organizations to ensure the health & safety of fellow employees and externally to improve the health of our planet.”
Why did you decide to be on the NAEM Board?
“It’s my privilege to serve a community of leaders who dedicate their own careers to protecting employee health & safety and the environment.”
What is your favorite NAEM experience?
“My favorite aspect of NAEM is being with everyone at NAEM events. Even though we conducted our conferences virtually last year, I still loved seeing everyone online.”