Jessica Spiga (Sirico)
Jessica Spiga (Sirico) is an accomplished Operational Technology Program Manager at Veolia North America, with over 12 years of experience spanning human resources, learning and development, IT-focused change management, and consulting. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for leading complex organizational transformations, fostering collaboration between cross-functional teams, and bridging gaps between business operations and IT to deliver seamless, high-impact solutions. Her expertise includes program management, change management, training and development, SCADA systems, and IT-business relationship building.
Jessica began her professional journey in an entry-level HR role, where she quickly discovered a passion for learning and development. This interest led her to transition into IT training and change management, ultimately moving into consulting for several years, where she gained experience across pharmaceuticals, R&D, HR, and IT projects. Returning to Veolia as a “boomerang hire,” she embraced the challenges of operational technology, overseeing projects affecting SCADA systems across hundreds of sites, standardizing monitoring equipment, and coordinating networking and communications requests to ensure smooth operations and high user adoption rates.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and Business Management from Rowan University and an MBA from the University of Delaware. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Prosci Change Practitioner, and Salesforce AI Associate. Known for her commitment to continuous learning, relationship-building, and strategic execution, Jessica combines technical expertise with a people-centered approach to enable organizations to navigate change effectively and achieve lasting success.
• Certificate in Change Agility
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• Change Practitioner
• University of Delaware - MBA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building strong relationships. Since returning to my company nearly two years ago, I’ve focused on rebuilding trust between IT and our business partners—delivering on time, on budget, and with reliability.
Although I work in a technical field, my strength is in communication—bridging gaps between technical teams and business stakeholders. I’m focused on further developing my technical expertise to better support my teams and provide guidance to our partners, becoming a more well-rounded professional.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come from mentors who have guided me throughout my journey. My former CIO, Michael Salas, who was with Suez, helped me think creatively and approach decisions from new perspectives. Even today, he remains someone I can reach out to for guidance and to bounce ideas off of.
I’ve also been fortunate to have Jennifer Sislin as a mentor and advisor. I’ve known her since the start of my career—over 12 years—and we’ve even shared a unique reverse mentorship, training each other at different points. She continues to be a trusted resource I turn to for advice, and I’m grateful to have her in my corner.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering technology or the utilities field to stay curious, keep learning, and actively build relationships with experienced professionals. Asking questions, seeking guidance, and learning from colleagues not only accelerates career growth but also builds confidence in technical environments.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are maintaining secure infrastructure, staying ahead of cyber threats, and managing workforce burnout. At the same time, there’s an opportunity to leverage AI for innovation while keeping the human touch, and to focus on initiatives that deliver real impact rather than low-value tasks.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Outside of work, I value wellness and balance. I enjoy hot yoga and barre classes, which help me relieve stress, reconnect with myself, and maintain a clear, focused mind.
I also value family and personal growth. Currently on maternity leave, I’m learning the joys and challenges of being a mom to my four-month-old son, which has been a rewarding and humbling experience.
Locations
Veolia North America
Westwood, NJ 07675