Inside SWANA: Tammy Bennett

Meet Tammy Bennett, Director of Membership at SWANA!

Can you tell us a bit about your background and previous work experiences?

Absolutely. I am a mid-western (Kansas) through and through. After getting my Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas, I started my professional career with the City of Lawrence. I spent two years in the City Manager’s Office before moving to the Public Works Department, where I spent another 25 years. (Yes, I am old!)

As Assistant Public Works Director, I had a broad scope of responsibilities from department-wide administration to being the ADA Coordinator to managing fleet and solid waste management operations.

After a very meaningful career in local government, I shifted my career to association management – supporting the careers and missions I care about.

What motivated you to work for SWANA?

At heart, I am committed to public service. I was very proud of the team we built and the work we did in Lawrence. Not everyone shares this opinion, but I really like the critical functions that touch lives but are “invisible” when all the parts and pieces are running well. With SWANA, I can sustain the connection to service while expanding it far beyond my own community.

What role have you taken on at SWANA, and what are your key responsibilities?

As the Director of Membership, I have responsibility for our customer experiences, membership growth, chapter relations and services, technical divisions, and our membership team.

Are there any exciting projects or goals you're looking forward to working on?

My initial focus was to dive into the data SWANA has available to understand the many elements of our current membership, ensuring our information is accurate and meaningful. My next priority is to focus on the customer service and member experiences SWANA offers. Members are the heart of our organization. We want every interaction to be exceptional and for every member and volunteer to know they are valued.

What do you hope to achieve or contribute to the team in your new role?

SWANA has a strong team of people who work hard and care about the job they do. I like to be hands’ on, understanding our data, our members, and their needs. I hope to automate many manual processes, so we can spend our time where it really matters in a member-focused association.

How do you see your skills and expertise benefiting SWANA and your colleagues?

I hope to bring a unique perspective to SWANA, having experience in the field and in association management, along with the love of a good spreadsheet.

Is there a specific message or piece of advice you'd like to share?

Lean in, try new things, and be genuine in the process!

I have had amazing mentors, coaches, and friends because I was willing to say yes to volunteer opportunities. Well, if I’m honest, my PW Director told me I was going to say yes. Nonetheless, I carried through, stepped up when needed, and value every experience along the way.

What else would you like to share with SWANA members about yourself personally and/or professionally?

Well, for anyone still reading this, I would say, “Please help.” For SWANA to grow and remain relevant, we need your energy, your time, and your willingness to spread the word about this association and careers in solid waste management, generally.

Interested in connecting with Tammy?

You can contact Tammy via email at tbennett@swana.org.