A Message from SWANA's FY27 Incoming Board President

Dear Fellow SWANA Members,

As I begin my term as President of the SWANA Board of Directors, I am honored and grateful to serve all of you. I joined SWANA as a young professional starting out in this industry, and in my career, and I quickly found a home in the SWANA community. It became a place where I could learn, ask questions, meet mentors and peers, and grow into the professional I hoped to become.

Over the years, as I progressed in my career from administrative assistant to intern to engineer to facility manager to chief of engineering, SWANA has been there to support me with a community of professional expertise, trainings, certifications, and events. I took the SWANA Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) course to become SWANA Certified, and I continue to expand my knowledge through SWANA educational opportunities. SWANA’s trainings have always been one of SWANA’s greatest strengths, meeting professionals where they are and helping them take the next step.

I am also proud of my role in being one of the founding members of the SWANA Young Professionals, and I am happy to see it still going strong. This is a wonderful group to welcome younger professionals who are newer to the industry, helping them find their place, and connect them with the experience and encouragement of others. I know firsthand how important that kind of support can be.

Over the next year as SWANA President, I look forward to further strengthening the value of SWANA memberships and moving forward our initiatives. We will continue to offer professional development opportunities and many platforms to connect, both virtually and in person. We will also continue to invest in the trainings, resources, and relationships that help members do their jobs well, serve their communities, and prepare for what is next in waste and resource management.

That includes supporting chapters, technical divisions, and other SWANA volunteers with clear communication, useful tools, and stronger connections across the association. SWANA is at its best when our chapters, committees, Technical Divisions, staff, Board, and members are aligned around shared priorities.

Safety will remain a central priority. The work our members do is essential, and it can also be difficult and dangerous. SWANA will continue to support safety education, peer sharing, and practical resources that help organizations build stronger safety cultures. We will also continue advancing conversations on important issues facing our industry, including lithium-ion battery safety, PFAS management, workforce development, and the continued focus on all aspects of waste and resource management.

RCon™ 2026 will take place September 29–October 2 in St. Louis, and I am looking forward to the week of connection and learning that will take place. RCon will bring together professionals from across North America for education, Professional Development Hours, hands-on learning, facility tours, conversations in the exhibit hall, and meaningful networking. This is the perfect time to see colleagues from across North America, learning from one another, and leaving re-energized for the work ahead. Personally, I am especially looking forward to touring local facilities, exploring the exhibit hall, and the networking events.

SWANA members have become my second family, and I have been happy to give back to this community that has helped me along the way. As I begin this new role, I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me and excited for what we will accomplish together. I look forward to serving alongside you in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Lynsey Baer President