Join us for an interactive session designed for young professionals (YPs) and those interested in learning techniques for working with the dynamic workforce. This fireside chat offers a unique opportunity to meet with members of the YP Steering Committee and discover how to maximize your SWANA membership while exploring topics that are top of mind for YPs. Whether you're new to the industry or looking to deepen your involvement, this session is tailored to help you navigate your professional journey within SWANA.

During this session, you'll hear from YP Steering Committee members as they share their experiences, insights, and tips on making the most out of your membership and adapting to the evolving workforce. The relaxed format features a mix of carefully selected questions and spontaneous audience participation, ensuring a lively and interactive discussion that delivers valuable knowledge from peers and industry leaders.

Attendees will learn about the various resources, programs, and opportunities available to SWANA members and how to leverage them for your career growth. Join us to discover the different ways you can actively participate in SWANA activities; gain practical advice on building and expanding your professional network within the industry; hear success stories and career tips from YP Steering Committee members who have navigated their paths within SWANA; and understand current trends in the workforce and strategies for effectively working with and leading diverse teams in a dynamic environment. This session is not just about listening — it's about engaging. Participants will have the chance to connect with young professionals who share a passion for the industry. 

About the Speakers

Haley Kunert
Project Manager | HF&H Consultants, LLC

Haley Kunert is a Senior Project Manager with HF&H Consultants, has almost a decade of assisting public agencies in managing solid waste franchise agreements, completing negotiations for new programs, legislative compliance and reporting specific to California, diversion reporting, solid waste procurements, rate reviews and surveys, organics program planning, grant support, and community outreach. She has her BS from UC San Diego in Environmental Systems with a minor in Psychology. Also, she is on the Southern California SWANA Board (President) and on the SWANA YP National Steering Committee. When not at work, you can find her staying fit, trying new desserts, chasing dogs, or painting at her favorite local brewery.

Erin Oulton
Consultant | Resource Recycling Systems, Inc

Erin Oulton is a consultant at RRS and champions its mission to create solutions for a sustainable future. Her work and expertise span across the nation, collaborating with public and private entities. Based out of Columbus, Erin regularly works with Ohio’s solid waste management districts, counties, cities, and universities, employing surveying, data analysis, and research to advance diversion objectives. She is a member of the Ohio Buckeye Chapter of SWANA, contributing to the Young Professionals (YP) National Steering Committee and serving as the Region 9 YP liaison. Additionally, she serves as vice president at the Association of Ohio Recyclers. Erin strives to create an economically and environmentally sustainable future for Ohio.

Keshav Parikh
Assistant Project Manager | Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Keshav Parikh is a Solid Waste Engineer and works for Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc. as an Assistant Project Manager, with over 7 years of experience in providing field services for tasks related to construction quality assurance projects such as liner construction, landfill gas drilling, landfill piping construction, final cover installation, and surface emissions monitoring for various public and private clients. He works along Project Managers and Principals to see successful completion of all the projects he is involved in. He has experience in preparing annual reports for various clients, 5-year phasing and fill plans, flare design, running LandGEM gas models for sites, RNG permitting and coordination, CCR remediation projects as well as Status Impact Reports. He also demonstrates deep interests in designing and permitting composting pads and keeping up to date with latest trends in the solid waste and resource recovery industry. He also serves on Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) Young Professionals (YP) Steering Committee as the co-chair for Student Design Competition, co-chair on the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) YP Technical Division Committee, and YP committee member for Southern California SWANA.

Ashley Ramsey
Project Geologist | Geosyntec Consultants, Inc

Ashley Ramsey is a Professional Geologist based in Kennesaw, GA, with eight years of consulting experience in solid and hazardous waste projects across the United States. Ashley has successfully led advisory, compliance, and remediation initiatives, conducting compliance audits, site assessments, and environmental monitoring. She has directed the development of multiple large-scale solid waste master plans and has managed existing conditions analyses, waste characterization studies, stakeholder and public engagement efforts, and operational evaluations of landfills, MRFs, and transfer stations. Ashley is an active member of SWANA and currently serves on SWANA’s Young Professional Steering Committee and Conference Planning Committee and is a graduate of the 2023 SWANA YPLA.

Hailey Tatum
Engineering Project Manager | WM

Hailey Tatum is a Project Manager on the Organics Engineering Team at WM where she uses her eleven-year industry tenure to design and manage organic waste processing facilities. Hailey volunteers for SWANA as the Young Professionals Director on the Board of Directors and leader on the SWANA YP Steering Committee. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Gonzaga University and is currently earning her MBA at Colorado State University (Go Rams!). Hailey is passionate about engaging with young professionals throughout the solid waste industry and enjoys meeting new SWANA members. Hailey loves to spend time outside in the mountains, climbing, skiing, running, or biking with her husband and mini-Aussie.