Elizabeth Mead

I attribute my success to being well-rounded and always looking beyond my immediate responsibilities. I believe the more I understand about how a business operates, the better decisions I can make and the more value I can bring.

I intentionally get involved in different areas of the organization. I’ve participated in several leadership programs and currently lead our EHS Safety Committee and Wellness & Employee Engagement Committee. Those experiences have broadened my perspective and strengthened my leadership skills.

I also believe in balancing strategy with staying connected to the business. I use sales data and trends to help drive growth, but also spend time with our sales teams and customers to understand their needs first hand.

Finally, I believe in being fully present. When I am at work, I’m focused on delivering results. When I am with my family I am focused on them. Being intentional with my time helps me to be more effective in every part of my life.

Treat Every experience, whether it’s a success or a setback, as a learning opportunity.

If I don’t make a sale, or encounter a challenging employee, or coworker. I ask myself what I could have done differently. Did I ask the right questions, did I communicate effectively? What worked that I can build on and how can I adapt my approach?

The same mindset applies to all projects. After a product launch, I always set aside time to evaluate “wins,” and “correctables.”

The mindset of continuous learning has helped me grow throughout my career and made every experience valuable.

Don’t hesitate to enter into careers involving environmental services. This industry is growing, evolving and needs diverse perspectives to solve increasingly complex environmental and sustainability challenges. Women bring valuable strengths in collaboration, problem solving and relationship building that makes teams stronger and drive better outcomes. Stay curious, find mentors, and don’t be afraid to take on opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone. Your perspective is needed.

One of the biggest opportunities is the growing demand for sustainable and compliant recycling and waste solutions. The need for new products and services is greater than ever and the list of opportunities is endless. The challenge is prioritizing what to pursue first and having the resources to execute those ideas effectively. Another ongoing challenge is navigating differing regulations across states which adds complexity to developing scalable solutions. Success comes from balancing of innovation with practical execution and regulatory compliance.

Balance: Being fully present wherever you are.

Continuous learning: Looking for lessons in every success and setback.

Integrity: Doing what’s right, even when it’s harder or takes longer.

Growth: Through new responsibilities and opportunities always challenging yourself

Accountability: Owning outcomes.

Curiosity: Ask questions and learning beyond your role.

Service: Helping coworkers, customers, family and community succeed.