SWANA Staff Spotlight: Carolyn Muller

We’re excited to introduce Carolyn Muller, one of the newest members of the SWANA team. In this Q&A, Carolyn shares more about her professional background and what drew her to SWANA, as well as what she’s most excited to dive into.

She also reflects on what it’s like coming into the waste and resource management industry from the outside—and what she’s learned from SWANA members that has surprised her along the way. Carolyn also opens up about her personal compost journey and the lessons learned so far.

 Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to join SWANA?

My career has been rooted in the association and nonprofit world, with a focus on learning and development and member engagement. Most recently, I served as Senior Director of Learning and Development at the International Foodservice Distributors Association, where I oversaw educational programming, conference strategy, and executive development partnerships. Before that, I led consulting and program development work with universities and learning design agencies. When the opportunity at SWANA came along, I was drawn to the mission and the chance to bring my passion for professional development to an industry doing such essential, meaningful work.

What is your role at SWANA, and what are you most excited to work on in this position?

I serve as Vice President of Industry Engagement, overseeing learning, membership technology, and operations. What excites me most is digging into all of these areas and finding ways to make our processes more efficient so we can better serve our members. There are so many synergies across the work our Technical Divisions do, and SWANA's work is vital to the growth and development of this industry. As a lifelong learning professional, education and professional development are a huge passion of mine, and this role gives me a wonderful opportunity to dive deep into the industry and truly understand the work our members do every day. Ultimately, enhancing the membership experience so that our members see real, tangible value in what SWANA offers is at the heart of everything I do.

Since you’re not from the waste and resource management world, what have you learned so far from our members that has surprised you about our industry?

Honestly, the depth of expertise and passion our members bring to this work has been eye-opening. I came in knowing that waste and resource management was important, but I didn't fully appreciate just how complex and innovative the industry is. From emerging technologies to evolving policy challenges, our members are constantly problem-solving at a high level, and they genuinely care about the communities they serve. Having come from the world of foodservice, I've found that food and waste are daily experiences that touch everyone. While the two industries have their differences, the similarities are striking, and that common ground has made it easier to connect with what our members do every day.

We’ve heard about your compost journey—how did it start, and what have you learned along the way?

Our family has always loved gardening, but last year we really went for it! My husband, daughter, and I took on several large vegetable beds. There's something incredibly rewarding about stepping outside and harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs you grew yourself. Composting became a natural part of the process, and let's just say it has been quite the learning curve! Between figuring out the right balance of greens and browns and keeping the pile happy, it has been quite the adventure. My husband even installed a pulley system from our deck to the garden to make it easier to add coffee grounds, eggshells, and other scraps every day! Now there's no excuse not to compost, and I have a whole new appreciation for what our members manage on a much larger scale every day.

But the garden is just part of the story. Our daughter has also mastered the art of sourdough, so between the fresh veggies and the homemade bread, our kitchen has taken on a life of its own! At the heart of it all is a desire to eat fresher, live healthier, and build a more sustainable path for our family. Joining SWANA has only deepened that commitment, and I'm inspired every day to do my small part at home.

Get to know more of the SWANA team by visiting the staff page of our website at https://swana.org/about/staff.