Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day 2023

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and is observed annually in the month of March. It is observed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women’s Day on March 8.

In celebration, Montrose is proud to highlight team members and share what Women’s History and International Women’s Day mean to our team.

Meet some of our amazing team members below.

Miki Rieth
Senior Consultant | CTEH

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Having twin pre-teen daughters and seeing so many women uplifted during women’s history month means much more to me now than 13 years ago. I appreciate that we can celebrate the women who have made us all who we are today. Learning and hearing of the unique stories and adventures that these women have been on, overcoming obstacles and becoming super successful, is very profound to me. Women thrive as moms, teachers, church members, scientists, educators, accountants, doctors, businesswomen, leaders, and so much more. I genuinely enjoy learning more about the women who have helped create the World to be what it is today. Each of us has different stories, upbringings, trials, and tribulations; together, we all
make a difference.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a beautiful day to celebrate globally all the women across countries that come together for a mission with specific values and increasing support for women worldwide. I pull from many values, such as hope, equality, collaboration, appreciation, respect, and forgiveness. I am a member
of a few women’s organizations within my daily client interactions and enjoy the chance to support women throughout these organizations. The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Organization (WISTA) is one group that brings women together to aid us in working side by side, learning the different backgrounds, and connecting female executives and decision-makers worldwide. Being a member of this group representing 56 countries has been excellent with networking, business, and skill-building opportunities. I appreciate International Women’s Day highlighting all the great things we women do daily to help each other and the World.

What do you like best about Montrose?
I appreciate that we truly help people and work to make the World a more environmentally friendly place. I’ve been on many projects where my teammates worked to keep people safe while helping the environment. My teammates put themselves in harm’s way daily and run towards the emergency when most run away. That is something I appreciate about my colleagues and CTEH. I am proud to be part of the team.

What motivations fueled your career path?
My family and children motivate me to be the best “Me” I can be. I always want to make them proud and do the right thing. I enjoy being a “dot connector” and “Problem Solver” for our clients. It feels great to have them call me for unique and challenging scenarios and be able to support them. Throughout my 23-year career, I have met many people who want the same thing. We work to stay safe and help people during some of their most challenging times. It motivates me to know that I have many “tools in my toolbox,” sort to say of excellent experts in this industry, to help our clients on those challenging days. It feels great to help others, allowing me to be the best mom to my three children.

Nasym Afsari
General Counsel and Secretary | Montrose Environmental

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Like other affinity group months, Women’s History Month is a time of year dedicated to
highlighting the contributions of women in our history. It provides an opportunity to learn about the women who have shaped the world we live in today, many of whom were faced with obstacles due to the times they lived in.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the women of our past, present and future.

What do you like best about Montrose?
This one is easy – the people. Not only is everyone at Montrose incredibly intelligent and talented, they share a common passion for what they do. In addition, the sense of community and willingness to collaborate is what really makes us special.

What has been helpful to you in navigating and connecting to a larger organization?
I’m very fortunate that I get to work on all of our acquisitions as part of my job. Doing so allows me to learn about the businesses that join us, get to know the people, and build relationships before they become part of our team. Staying connected to people across the organization, across business lines and functions, and at all levels helps keep me attuned to the organization’s pulse. In turn, this helps me do my job more effectively.

What important lesson have you learned, and how has it proven invaluable?
It’s okay to make mistakes, as long as we learn and grow from them. We all hold ourselves to the highest expectations, and things don’t always go as planned. What’s most important is that we fix what went wrong and we do better the next time.

What motivations fueled your career path? What motivations fueled your career path?
Growing up, I was one of two sisters. My parents always pushed my sister and I to be independent and taught us not to set limitations for ourselves. Now, as a mother of two daughters, it’s incredibly important to me to set an example for my girls of someone who consistently strives to be better and continue learning. So many incredible women have paved the way for my generation and it’s my responsibility to do the same for the young girls of the next generation.

Marilyn Sinnett
VP, Design & Engineering | ECT2

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
A time to celebrate, reflect, and recognize the contributions of Women in history and the opportunities women have in the workplace today that weren’t possible even a single generation ago. In the early 1960s, my mother was fired from her job for being pregnant, which was legal then. With no secondary education, her options were minimal. So she put herself through school while raising two small children, at times experiencing homelessness, before beginning her 40+ year career as a nurse in the 1970s. The grit and resolve shown by my mother and so many women before her have paved the way for the opportunities available to women today. I am in my position now in part because of the efforts and sacrifices that women have made before me.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is a great time to reflect and celebrate the opportunities available for women in the workplace today that were not possible yesterday, a decade ago, or in previous generations. However, it’s also a time to recognize that we have not achieved parity in the US, and in some countries, women face significant inequity. IWD day is also a time to reflect on the work that is yet to be done.

What do you like best about Montrose?
The confidence in our team results in the freedom to run the business. When MEG acquired ECT2 in 2019, we weren’t sure how the culture would change or what direction MEG leadership would steer the business. In short – MEG leadership trusted the ECT2 leader’s direction and vision, invested heavily in R&D, and fostered the enormous growth we have seen over the last four years.

What has been helpful to you in navigating and connecting to a larger organization?
Our women in leadership program WeLEAD has provided an excellent opportunity to connect with talented folks across the organization. Being on the inaugural WeLEAD committee was a perfect opportunity to listen to what the women at Montrose wanted out of a mentorship program. Hopefully, we will continue to deliver.

What motivations fueled your career path?
I believe in our company’s mission; and I know that if I do my job well, we’ll be able to do more good work in the world; and improve air, water, and soil quality for future generations.
I also want to show my daughter what a strong female leader looks like and what is possible in a company and environment that supports and develops talent across all backgrounds/genders/races/etc.

Tanya Jackson
Vice President | LDAR

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a time to honor how far women have come and who got us there and reaffirm our pursuit of a diverse, fair, and inclusive world.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a day to collaboratively celebrate women by openly discussing important topics like gender equality, women’s equal rights, violence and abuse against women, and reproductive rights.

What do you like best about Montrose?
I am inspired by our incredible talent and innovation throughout the company at all levels. We are a large company, with a family company feel.

Who has inspired you the most within our organization?
Margaret Dunbar inspires me the most. She came on to Montrose and created something beautiful we can all be proud of through her Marketing skills and Leadership. She has brought on a stellar team and tangibly has changed not only the image of Montrose but the visibility and the quality of our products. She champions change throughout the organization, and I am blessed to work alongside her.

What has been helpful to you in navigating and connecting to a larger organization?
I get involved. I speak up. I introduce myself and our services. I look for cross-collaboration opportunities. I see a chance for something to be better or a collaboration, and I go after it. I volunteer our team to pilot programs. I understand that change is necessary to grow and withstand the growth, so I embrace and provide active participation throughout the shift. We can always be better, and I never stop pursuing that.

Which tools or resources would you suggest to someone interested in a similar path to yours?
Find a mentor and mentor someone else. Don’t be shy to ask someone to mentor you. Even with close colleagues, I was nervous about starting a mentorship. It is intimidating. The more people you network with and mentor with, the more you will come to identify your authentic style. Don’t be like anyone else; be inspired to find your identity and go after it. Then speak up, share your ideas, and create an environment where others are safe to share their ideas

Ellen Eveland
SouthEast Regional VP | Environmental Consulting & Engineering

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
To me, Women’s History Month is a time of reflection on the strong, independent women who paved the way and those who continue to push boundaries and knock down walls, for the benefit of all humans globally. I have taken an interest in learning about the suffragists that recognized the injustice of women in the late 1800s and campaigned for women’s civil rights. As a female engineer, what these women started over 100 years ago became a game changer for me and women across the nation. A particular woman that I have studied is Emmeline Pankhurst, a British suffragette who was the founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union. Their motto was “deeds, not words” which Emmeline led women to take radical steps to be heard and force a change in the laws for women. I am personally committed to the motto “deeds, not words” to create a positive impact within my family, my community, and Montrose.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day, to me, is a recognition that no matter where we reside on this earth, we, as women, have an invested interest in improving the lives of all human beings. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Embrace Equity,” which serves as a reminder that gender equality is not just a women’s issue but a human issue that requires everyone’s active participation. It’s a day to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, recognize the remaining challenges, and commit to further action toward creating a more just and equal world for all. It’s a day to honor the countless contributions of women throughout history and to support the efforts of those still fighting for their rights and opportunities.

What has been helpful to you in navigating and connecting to a larger organization?
I firmly believe in the benefits of collaboration. It is the easiest and most effective tool for navigating and connecting within Montrose. Every person I’ve reached out to within our organization has willingly taken my phone calls and questions without hesitance and responded with thoughtful, authentic communication.

What’s an important lesson you’ve learned, and how has it proven invaluable?
An important lesson that I’ve learned in my career is that marrying your passion with your skillset, and sprinkling in a little grit, will lead to professional success. When you find your work meaningful and interesting, the motivation to work hard becomes second nature. Grit comes easily because you are invested in the outcome, despite any challenges and setbacks. I’ve treated my career as a marathon, not a sprint. I embrace each milestone as a personal success and maintain the stamina to meet the next mile marker.

Cam Pham
Regional Director | Enthalpy

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
It’s a time to reflect and celebrate the women who pioneered the pathway and opened up opportunities to me and so many others.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s a time to reflect on the significance of women worldwide who’ve struggled, endured, overcame, and shaped the world as we know it today. It is also a day for us to inspire current and future generations.

What important lesson have you learned, and how has it proven invaluable?
You cannot fix every situation, but you can surely learn from them and how to approach them better.

Who has inspired you the most within our organization?
Our younger staff who struggle with their “Welcome to Real Life” still show up for work with a smile on their face and give it their all.

How did you find your way to where you are today at MEG?
I listen to criticism and use it constructively, so I am constantly evolving. Welcome change; with change, we can grow together. I continuously bet on myself, no matter what the odds are. It means more to be in the race than watch from the sidelines.

Which tools or resources would you suggest to someone interested in a similar path to yours?

• Understand your strengths and USE them
• Embrace your weakness and challenge them whenever possible
• Speak up and accept help when you need it
• Stay in touch with your colleagues