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.”
— Mike Miller, President, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Anne Monine, 1st Vice President, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Nicole Wilkinson, 2nd Vice President, NAEM Board of Directors
“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’.”
— Fawn Bergen, Treasurer, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Sandy Nessing, Past President, NAEM Board of Directors
“For me, working with NAEM is part of my overall effort to support my clients’ efforts at environmental compliance and striving towards sustainability.”
— John Guttman, General Counsel, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Deborah Briggs, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Katie Chrisler, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— James Goudreau, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
Drena Howard
“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.”
— Drena Howard, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Marc Juaire, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— Kelvin Sanborn, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
“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.”
— David Williams, Director-at-Large, NAEM Board of Directors
“It’s my privilege to serve a community of leaders who dedicate their own careers to protecting employee health & safety and the environment.”
— Carol Singer Neuvelt, Executive Director, NAEM