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Young Professionals Leadership

Recruitment, development, and involvement of Young Professionals (YPs) is critical to the future of SWANA. That’s why SWANA has developed a Young Professionals Group to foster YP participation at the local level through a team of regional representatives and chapter liaisons as well as on the national level through a team of technical division representatives and a Young Professionals Steering Committee. For those not looking to formally assume a role, you can reach out to the representatives and liaisons to help coordinate formal or informal events.

Feel free to contact SWANA Membership at membership@swana.org for any further information.

Young Professionals Board Representative

SWANA members created a permanent board position for a Young Professionals Board of Directors Representative (YP-BOD). The YP-BOD represents SWANA members aged 35 or less for a two-year term on the International Board of Directors, the governing body of SWANA.

Ballots are sent via email to each active SWANA member every other year in May.

Hailey Tatum

Ashley Ramsey, PG

Senior Geologist, Geosyntec Consultants

Ashley Ramsey, PG is a Senior Geologist with Geosyntec Consultants based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she helps communities, state agencies, and private organizations develop practical solutions to complex solid waste management challenges. Ashley earned a B.S. in Geology from Baylor University and an M.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Tennessee. A passionate advocate for young professionals, she has been actively involved in SWANA through the Young Professionals Leadership Academy (YPLA), the Young Professionals Steering Committee, conference engagement initiatives, and now as SWANA's Young Professionals Board Representative. Ashley believes one of SWANA's greatest strengths is its ability to connect people, create opportunities, and support professional growth, and she is excited to help young professionals build meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, and get the most value possible from their SWANA membership. When she's not working or volunteering with SWANA, Ashley enjoys soaking up the sunshine to recharge and spending time with her fiancé, two dogs, and two cats.

Young Professionals Local Representatives

Contact your regional rep to get in touch with your local YP chapter liaison or inquire about open leadership positions. For further assistance, contact Membership Team.

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Steering Committee

The Young Professionals Steering Committee is a group of YPs who focus on national SWANA initiatives. Each YP Steering Committee member chairs an initiative as seen below.

YP Awards and Recognition Program

  • Develops awards and YP recognition program-related packets.
  • Advertises calls-for-nomination in collaboration with SWANA staff.
  • Develops selection criteria and selection committee guidelines.
  • Assists SWANA staff as needed throughout the awards process.

Hailey Tatum | Chair

Engineering Project Manager
WM

Student Design Competition

  • Develops problem statement focus and manages Q&A.
  • Manages network development (e.g., participating institutions and judges).
  • Works with SWANA staff on promotion.
  • Manages execution of events (e.g., program, timing, budget, volunteers).
 
Keshav Parikh
Samarjeet Kadam | Co-Chair

Project Manager
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Keshav Parikh | Co-Chair

Assistant Project Manager
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

YP Representation

  • Manages Regional Representatives (e.g., identifying candidates, coordinating communication).
  • Fosters engagement with chapter liaisons.
  • Manages Technical Division Representatives.
  • Recruits YP Steering Committee members.
Lawrence Headshot
Lawrence Olawoore | Chair

Project Engineer
BEL Environmental Engineering, LLC

Student Engagement

  • Manages the Hickman Endowment (e.g., ensuring delivery of commitments).
  • Manages student scholarship program.
  • Works with SWANA staff and chapters on advancing student groups.
  • Engage with students and professors to increase participation in SWANA activities.
  • Develop surveys and university contact lists to improve student outreach.
  • Support SWANA webinars and strengthen communication between students and industry professionals

Erin Oulton
 
Dravid Sabarish Picture
Erin Oulton | Co-Chair

Consultant
Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) 

DRAVID SABARISH | Co-Chair

Solid Waste Consultant 
WSP 

Conference Planning Committee

  • Supports YP activities at local conferences.
  • Plans YP activities at conferences:
    • Curates and submits application for YP Sessions.
    • Plans and implements event offerings (e.g. – Networking Event, Tours, etc.).
    • Coordinates volunteers and resources (ex: budget, on-site volunteers, etc.).
Ashley Ramsey
 
Ashley Ramsey | Chair

Project Consultant
Geosyntec Consultants

Kate Howe | Vice Chair

Sustainability Project Manager
Weaver Consultants Group

 

Young Professional Leadership Academy (YPLA)

  • Serves as institutional knowledge holder for the former YPLA program, documenting lessons learned and past program structure.
  • Conducts outreach to previous cohorts to gather feedback and insights to inform new program design.
  • Researches comparable leadership development programs within allied associations and industries.
  • Develops recommendations and a proposed framework for a successor program.

Rachel Musetti | Chair

Recycling & Waste Diversion Analyst
HDR

Webinar Program

  • Works with SWANA staff in developing and promoting webinar programs.
  • Develops a recurring schedule and general guidelines on webinar program content.
  • Hosts/moderates OR finds moderators for webinars.

 

Young Professionals Technical Division Chairs

Technical DivisionYP Technical Division Chair
Collection & TransferNigel Baummer
Communication, Education & MarketingRyan Mahoney
Landfill Gas & BiogasMichelle L. Tomasiewicz
Landfill ManagementChristopher Toevs
Planning & ManagementGiorgio Castro
Sustainable Materials ManagementKelli Farmer
Waste Conversion & Energy RecoveryAbigail Fleming

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