Jessica Spiga
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, 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 Professional in Human Resources (PHR). 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.
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• Prosci Change Practicioner
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Certificate in Change Agility
• MBA, University of Delaware
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—consistently delivering on time, on budget, and with reliability. While I work in a technical field, my strength lies in communication—bridging the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders. That ability to connect people, align priorities, and drive results has been central to my growth and impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve received is to not wait until I feel 100% ready to take on a new opportunity. Growth happens in the stretch moments, and some of my biggest breakthroughs came from saying yes before I had everything figured out.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering any field to stay curious, keep learning, and intentionally build relationships with experienced professionals. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek guidance. Those moments accelerate growth and build confidence. The more you lean into learning and connection, the more empowered you’ll feel to take up space and make an impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are maintaining secure, resilient infrastructure, staying ahead of evolving cyber threats, and addressing workforce burnout. At the same time, there’s a significant opportunity to leverage AI to drive innovation and efficiency while still maintaining the human element that’s critical to successful transformation. The organizations that will stand out are those that focus on high-impact initiatives and empower their people, rather than getting stuck in low-value work.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I value trust, collaboration, and creating environments where people feel supported and empowered to succeed.
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 mindset. I also deeply value family and personal growth, and recently becoming a mom has added a new perspective that continues to shape how I show up both personally and professionally.
Locations
Veolia North America
Paramus, NJ 07652