Kayla A. Waldrup
Kayla Waldrup is an accomplished Regulatory Specialist with extensive expertise in chemicals, end of life compliance (compostability and recycling), product compliance and development, green marketing and sustainability development. Currently with Specialty Technical Consultants (STC), she brings expertise in navigating complex US legislation and international regulations. An industry expert in FTC guidelines, and environmental standards, including ASTM, DIN Certco, and commercial composting and recycling protocols, Kayla has lead, audited and updated many green marketing initiatives. Her strategic approach combines regulatory insight with market awareness, ensuring that products and processes meet both compliance standards and consumer expectations. Kayla’s work emphasizes sustainable practices, substantiating green claims, and fostering innovation across product life cycles. Prior to STC, Kayla held multiple roles in product regulation and category management at Clark Associates, where she led initiatives in sustainable product sourcing, supplier QA program assessments, and aided in the creation of the compliance department. She has also held positions in procurement and inventory management at companies including TAIT, ITT Engineered Valves, and Clark Associates, demonstrating a career-long dedication to process improvement, vendor relations, and regulatory adherence. Her professional achievements are complemented by a Green Belt certification in Six Sigma, reflecting her focus on efficiency and continuous improvement. Outside of her corporate work, Kayla is deeply invested in mentorship and community engagement. She serves as an assistant high school field hockey coach, leveraging her collegiate athletic experience to inspire young athletes to achieve excellence both on and off the field. A lifelong learner, Kayla is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability Studies at Harvard Extension School, further strengthening her ability to drive meaningful environmental and regulatory change in her industry. Her colleagues describe her as conscientious, versatile, and a passionate advocate for both sustainability and the next generation of professionals.
• Green Belt Certification
• Harvard Extension School- M.A.
• Albright College- B.S.
• Society of Environmental Professionals-Greater Philadelphia
• Women in Chemicals
• Alpha Delta Pi
• The Arc of the United States
• North Star Initiative
• Habitat for Humanity International
• Ronald Mcdonald House
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong work ethic and values instilled in me by my grandparents, growing up on a fruit and vegetable farm with lessons in hard work, care, and dedication from both my grandfather, a butcher, and my grandmother, a nurse. Everything we had on our table at the end of the day was from their hard work, I always admired that.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Curiosity! Always be curious. Never feel afraid to ask questions, dig deeper and be consistent in that pursuit. Do not be afraid of the atmosphere or the person you are asking the question to. No one is too important to answer a question or explain something. Often times things go unnoticed because we are too concerned to speak up or speak out to understand better. Continuing to ask questions allows you to learn, to grow and to push those around you to be better. It helps you understand a process, improve a process and innovate a process. Life will only change if we allow space for the things around us to also change.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be true to yourself. If you are someone who loves to learn, do it. If you are someone who loves to question, do it. At the end of the day you have to be happy with what you have accomplished and too many of us have learned (in our thirties) that we should have trusted our gut a bit sooner in our career, in our understandings or in our outlook of our career a lot sooner than we allowed ourselves to do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Credibility. Science is always learning which is truly the best part about my industry and at time the hardest. Being able to trust sources of information and research has become a harder task in recent years. Finding ways to ensure credible sources and to help others learn those has come with a larger fight each year and at times that will push the pursuit of environmental justice to a slower pace.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are curiosity and exploration—whether that’s learning about new cultures, discovering hidden gems in small towns, or appreciating the unique experiences in everyday life. I believe in embracing new perspectives and enjoying the journey, both personally and professionally.