Thomas Metzger

Now in its eighth year, the EIA Women’s Council has grown in both numbers and success. The 104-member council has spearheaded innovative promotions such as the Carts On Parade and the bilingual coloring book, “Where Does My Garbage Go?” It also helps aspiring students interested in the environmental industry with college tuition expenses.

“The EIA Women’s Council is focused on helping the waste and recycling industry, our members and the community,” says Women’s Council Manager Peggy Macenas. “We want to foster an environment for professional development and networking in an atmosphere of friendship and fun.”

Each year, the president of the Women’s Council plans the members-only President’s Conference as an educational event and networking tool. 2010’s president, Margie Campbell, organized an extraordinary education conference and team-building fly-fishing event.

Programs That Promote

At Waste Expo 2010 in Atlanta, the council launched Carts on Parade. This innovative fundraiser benefitted the council’s scholarship program while highlighting the “Environmentalists. Every Day.” theme. Nearly 40 carts were decorated and displayed near the show floor. The President’s Trophy was awarded to “Helping Hands,” sponsored by Southern Waste Systems and decorated by the Jim and Jan Moran Boys and Girls Club of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Carts on Parade will return at Waste Expo 2011 in Dallas. A 2011 calendar featuring all of the 2010 carts is available in the Women’s Council Boutique.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Women’s Council will offer three, $5,000 scholarships to NSWMA or WASTEC members or their dependents. “The scholarship program has been at the heart of the Women’s Council’s desire to help provide for the future of the industry,” says scholarship committee chair Mary Margaret Cowhey. To qualify, applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to the environmental industry.

“The scholarship program inspired us to seek additional ways to help others,” says Melissa Gauger, chair of the marketing committee. “As a result, we spent the day following Waste Expo building, cleaning and maintaining houses with Habitat for Humanity in Athens, Ga. It was a wonderful way to get to know one another better while we were helping others in need of decent housing.”

2011 Leadership

The 2011 EIA Women’s Council: Past President Margie Campbell from New Waste Concepts, President Kirsti Nelson of Otto Environmental Systems, Vice-President Jeanie Dubinski of Waste Pro, Treasurer Jean Bredbenner of Republic Services, Education Chair M.J. Schmidt of Otto Environmental Systems, Scholarship Chair Mary Margaret Cowhey of Land and Lakes, member Susan Eppes of EST Consulting, and WC Manager Peggy Macenas of NSWMA. Marketing Chair Melissa Gauger of Navistar and Membership Care Chair Page Hopkins of Harris.

The EIA Women’s Council fosters professional development and strives to increase the business, financial and leadership skills of women in the waste industry through education, workshops, mentoring and networking. In addition, the Women’s Council offers scholarships to students in pursuit of a career in the environmental industry. Visit www.eiawomenscouncil.org for more information.