Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

I dipped my toes into the industry in 2020 and started working in the industry full time in July 2021.

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

Originally from coastal California, I studied coastal processes for my bachelor’s degree. After graduating I took a few years to work in different industries and travel abroad. I made the leap to permanently move to New Zealand in 2019 and completed my master’s degree at the University of Waikato in estuarine ecology in 2020. After graduating, I accepted a temporary role with a regional council to investigate the relative risk of historic closed landfills near the coast which paired contaminated land concerns with physical coastal processes. This opened the door to the contaminated land industry!

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

Through my work at the regional council, I was introduced to the industry. Prior to the project I worked on, I had not ever thought about contaminated land in really any capacity, let alone as a career path. The guidance, support, and technical knowledge from the science team I worked with really helped to show the breadth of what the industry encompasses and the real impacts that people within the industry can make.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Though I’ve only been in the industry for a relatively short amount of time, I’m proud of having been able to become an active member of the industry. As someone who is not naturally outgoing, I have been supported and encouraged by my team at Beca to get involved wherever possible and have found myself on three different ALGA committees!

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

• A mosquito net
• Groundwater tubing
• My dog ��

What advice would you give to your younger self starting out in the industry again?

Don’t be afraid of non-linear career paths! I was raised with the idea that a career was something that could only follow a linear path and that if I made a misstep along the way, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to have a fruitful career. Taking the opportunity to redefine my goals once I completed my bachelor’s degree is probably the best thing I did, even though it felt like I was failing at the time (gap years and overseas travel are not common practice in the US).

Stepping away from the traditional career trajectory made me realise that there is more than one way to reach a goal and everyone’s career path looks different. Ten years ago, I never could have predicted living in New Zealand and working in this industry, and I’m excited to see where I’ll be ten years from now!

Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

Between five and six years.

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

I graduated with a Bachelor of Environments (Engineering) degree and then joined Golder initially in Business Support (more on that below), and then as a graduate in the CLM team.

Like most graduates I was on-site for majority of the time during my first four years. Sites I worked on include volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater and big linear infrastructure joint contamination and geotechnical investigations. I shifted jobs last year where I am now an Audit Assistant at Senversa. In this role I have been exposed to a broad range of contaminated sites, and have been able to hone my technical skills and my understanding on local regulations.

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

Not so much contaminated lands but I’ve always had a passion and curiosity for environmental issues, and I had a particular interest in science and maths at school. I wanted to combine my interests and pursue environmental engineering which seemed like the right fit for me.

Contaminated lands appealed to me as it also combined the environmental and science aspects of my degree and interests, and I was keen to be involved in having a direct impact on the local environment quality.

I’ve been inspired to stay in this sector because I’m constantly learning and being challenged, I’m really enjoying learning about the audit process and all the associated issues from contamination, on- and off-site receptors and managing risks, but also because of all the senior colleagues who have provided mentoring and training to me.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Switching jobs to try something new at a different company.

I was feeling a bit stuck and uninspired and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Comments from colleagues over the years suggested I should give audit work a go or consider becoming an auditor later in my career. A job opening popped up so I applied, and was lucky enough to get the job.

I had never changed companies before and I found it really intimidating and scary, but definitely worth it. By changing jobs I was able to discover more about what I enjoy from my work, experience a new company culture and make new connections.

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

1. My dog Harry so I have some company (although I don’t think he’d stay or fit in the suitcase).
2. A baking book specifying how to bake using ingredients gathered from foraging on a remote island.
3. A good quality rain jacket.

Did you face any challenges getting into the sector? What were they and how did you overcome them?

I think the hardest thing most people face (including myself) is getting your foot in the door. After I graduated, I had a job within another sector lined up to begin in 6 months and I was looking for a temporary job to fill my time. I applied for a six-week position in business support at Golder, which turned into a six-month contract in the interview. I learned a lot working in business support which I still use to this day.

After a couple months of working in this role and getting to know the broader CLM team, I was encouraged to apply for a graduate position. The team were able to recognise some of the qualities I had working in business support that would be beneficial and valuable as a graduate such as good communication, attention to detail and able to complete tasks.

Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

Over 17 years

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

I graduated in Geology honours in 2002 in Brazil (University of Sao Paulo).

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

I did not have a specific "person" who inspired me; However, I always wanted to work in the environmental sector with the aim of making a better world for future generations. During the early years of my career, I aspired to be a part of Greenpeace, conduct research in Greenland, and so forth.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Rejoin the CLM industry in a different country, reshape my career goals, and find a way to pursue these goals while balancing my work and family life.

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

Knife, first aid kit (including antibiotics) and a compass.

Many professionals face changing personal circumstances throughout various stages of their working life (e.g.: Caring for a loved one, Parental responsibilities, travel, study, retirement, etc.). How have you navigated balancing your personal and work responsibilities?

In 2012, My family and I migrated to Australia for a better life for their daughter, leaving behind a successful career in Brazil. Despite intending for a short break, family expansion prolonged my hiatus, making re-entry into the Australian job market daunting due to overqualification and lack of local experience. Discovering the GHD Relaunch Career program offered hope, leading to successful participation and eventual employment as a Technical Director. With dedicated support from the program and colleagues, I navigated challenges and am now pursuing accreditation as an NSW EPA site auditor. My journey reflects personal and professional growth, the balance of career and family life, and the impactful support of career re-entry programs for parents.

Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

I started as a graduate in Melbourne in 2005, so it will be coming up to 19 years in the industry. However, in that 19 years, I have taken a few years out on maternity leave.

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

I started my career as a graduate at URS (now Aecom) in Melbourne in 2005. Here I mainly worked out in the field, and was lucky enough to work with a great team on some really varied and interesting projects. A year later, however, I moved to Byron Bay. Not seemingly a great move to propel my career! But through my connections I soon found that there was actually a small consulting company in Byron Bay, and here I have stayed for almost 18 years. I worked on both consulting projects and as an audit assistant, however, I found that working as an audit assistant suited my personality and the way I liked to work, so I leaned more towards the auditing side of things. I have always continued to work on consulting projects, working my way up to project manager and project director, while still getting out in the field. I also continued to work as an audit assistant and acted as the main point of contact for a variety of complex sites.

I was approved as a contaminated land auditor (Qld) in January 2023. I now work as a contaminated land auditor and project director, as well as providing high-level strategic advice to clients. Working as part of a small team, I still conduct all aspects of the project, including winning and delivering projects, as well as conducting the field work, data tables and evaluation, report writing, and client liaison.

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

I always wanted to work in the environmental field, helping improve the environment from the damage that, we humans, have caused. I didn’t specifically search out a job in this industry, but I was offered a job as an environmental scientist working in contaminated land straight out of university. Once here, I loved the mix of field and office work, and the technical challenges, while working to improve the environment - even if just one small contaminated site at a time!

Once in the industry, there were many people who I looked up to and aspired to be like. Most were other women who were not only successful, but incredibly smart, kind and generous.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Becoming an auditor was definitely a career highlight and one that I am very proud of. It wasn’t easy, but I worked hard to achieve the goal I had set for myself. I was also really humbled to have been asked to present as a keynote speaker at Ecoforum in 2023 in Melbourne. This was very much out of my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I said yes, and am proud of myself for facing my fear of public speaking, and hopefully encouraging others to do the same!

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

My dog, coffee (lots of it!), and my pillow.

Many professionals face changing personal circumstances throughout various stages of their working life (e.g.: Caring for a loved one, Parental responsibilities, travel, study, retirement, etc.). How have you navigated balancing your personal and work responsibilities?

I would start by saying, it’s not always easy! But that I think it is ok to allow your professional career to have ebbs and flows, in that, your career trajectory doesn’t have to be a straight line. I have taken time out for maternity leave with both of my children, and when I returned to work a few days a week, I was happy to do the not-so-challenging work while adjusting to the challenges that come with being a working mother/parent. Then, when the timing felt right, I really pushed myself to reach new goals in my work life knowing I was ready for the challenge. I would say to others that find the balance that suits you and your circumstances - what works and feel right for one, may not be right for you.

Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

20 years

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

Environmental consultancy career started with Benbow & Associates in Australia as a graduate doing a diverse range of projects from contaminated land to noise monitoring. I then worked with AGC-Woodward-Clyde (later became URS) as a contaminated land consultant and continued working with URS from their offices in North Sydney to Dublin and onto Abu Dhabi. I returned to Australia in 2011 and have been with AECOM as an Associate Director since then. At AECOM, I’ve been a Team Leader and work as a Lead Verifier, Program Manager and run large multi disciplinary Due Diligence and Contaminated Land projects. My work experience, technical knowledge and strong ethics has enabled me to recently obtain my CEnvP Site Contamination Specialist certification.

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

An ongoing evolving industry that continues to challenge and engage me with very interesting projects across many sectors including power, transport, defence, mining and government.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Diversity of projects I’ve been involved in from compliance audits at large infrastructure sites to Regional Lead for Defence projects in NSW & ACT, to contaminated land lead specialist for linear infrastructure and renewable projects.

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

Snorkel, trail runners & company. I love to get out in the natural environment and love a good chat & laugh (not sure how I’d fit that in the case)! The ocean is a great place for me to recharge my soul after a hard working week.

Many professionals face changing personal circumstances throughout various stages of their working life (e.g.: Caring for a loved one, Parental responsibilities, travel, study, retirement, etc.). How have you navigated balancing your personal and work responsibilities?

I got the best piece of advice from my manager at URS in 2003. I was just about to go on maternity leave with my second son and my husband was taking on an important role in a company that would take us around the world. He advised me to enjoy my maternity leave but to keep my foot in the door and maintain my connections. I went on to work with URS in Dublin and Abu Dhabi through connections I had made, and then when I was returning to Australia, numerous of my former colleagues had moved to different companies in Sydney and I ended up working at AECOM where many former AGC-Woodward Clyde/URS colleagues worked. I have made some very valuable connections and have great mentors that have enabled me to work in this industry and feel valued for my technical knowledge.

Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

I have approximately 25 years of experience in the environmental science industry. I have worked in the field of contaminated land for 20 years, with 13 years in environmental consulting firms (initially Environmental Earth Sciences and now Epic Environmental), five years in remediation contracting (Enviropacific) and two years for a tier one contractor (Lendlease).

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

I initially pursued a career as a soil scientist in Forestry and Viticulture including working for Hardys Wines in McLaren Vale, near Adelaide. Working a vintage with Hardys taught me how to use my observational skills, and it taught me how to analyse data for commercial decisions, which gives me a broader perspective on almost any project. I returned to academia then in 2004 become a contaminated land consultant in Melbourne. I have experienced various aspects of our industry such as, research, client side, contracting and consulting. Five years ago I returned to consulting, and became an Auditor, to provide technical oversight and ensure pragmatic outcomes are achieved. Each aspect of our industry has provided me a place to grow, explore and expand my knowledge and understanding on how to approach a complex project.

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

I joined the contaminated land industry as I was seeking to link my passion for soil science with an innovative, dynamic industry – which it certainly is! I am continually inspired by the collective wisdom of our industry members that teach, support and mentor each other. My experience is ALGA members are people that are interested in connection and growth.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I enjoy, and get fulfillment from, providing project team members with technical insights, program timeframes, sharing lessons learnt and understandings on how contamination impacts the end value of assets. I am most proud of firstly, times when I have upskilled non-scientists to understand contamination and know they have the confidence to explain the key points to their colleagues. Secondly, I am proud of my commitment to continuous improvement which fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration among team members. By encouraging each other to take risks, experiment with new approaches, and share their successes and failures with their colleagues, continuous improvement can help to create a community who provide the best possible outcome for their projects.

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

• EPIRB, safety first plus life is about growth and exploration, not achieving a fixed state of balance by spending three months stranded.
• These Truths: A History of the United States, by the Harvard historian and New Yorker contributor Jill Lepore. Perhaps three months would provide opportunity to digest 800 pages of centuries of history (it’s been on my bookshelf unread for far too long).
• Mozzie spray, I can only imagine how hungry those bugs would be – a no brainer essential for a remote island.

What advice would you give to your younger self starting out in the industry again?

Raise your hand. Open your mouth. Volunteer. Say yes. Commit. Sign up. Push yourself. And when you find yourself in over your head, raise your hand, reach out. You are in an industry full of good people, working towards a better world through teamwork and knowledge sharing.

Approximately how many years have you worked in our sector?

I’ve worked for 25 years in the environmental sciences sector, in mining, academia and contaminated land consultancy, across Australia and Europe.

Background information (Please tell us a bit about your career)

I’ve worked in a range of countries and environments, from assessing post-mining landscapes in outback Queensland, to investigating human impact on the ecosystems at an active army artillery range in The Netherlands. I’ve gotten my hands dirty digging out old fuel tanks in Kakadu and managed remediation programs at old oil refineries. I have volunteered with Soil Science Australia, run science outreach programs ranging from the Felton Food Festival to my kids’ local kindy, and been part of community supported agriculture groups to promote soil science by judging the annual ‘Humongous Fungus’ award for Queensland farmers. And on the theme of “if you can’t see it, you can’t be it”, I’m proud that through my community activities many kids (including my own), have seen that women working in hi-viz and STEM is as normal as women working in any other sector. These days, I work as a soil scientist with a specialisation in contaminated land and a diversity of experience across different areas of our sector.

Who/what inspired you to enter the industry?

My city school had a farm and I loved learning about animals, plants and soil in the agriculture program. Fast forward to university and my favourite soils lecturer inspired us with stories about how soil chemistry influenced the post-mining landscape and ecosystem development. And I was hooked.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Accidentally working hard enough as a guest researcher at the University of Amsterdam, to earn a PhD by the time we moved back to Australia. It turns out that bringing experience and a consultancy mindset to the academic setting worked well for me! I am proud of the diversity of projects, environments and countries that I’ve worked in.

If you were to be stranded on a remote island for 3 months, and you were allowed to take only 3 things with you in a suitcase. What 3 things would you pack?

I feel like this is a trick question and I should answer “my soil pH meter, my water quality meter and a big esky” to qualify for this ALGA edition. I would take my family, a couple of good books and no phone and just relax for three months…. which would last about 2 ½ minutes until I got bored, and started characterising the island ecosystems. Where did I leave those meters?.

Did you face any challenges getting into the sector? What were they and how did you overcome them?

When I first started working at mine sites, I found it was a male dominated industry that was challenging for young women. I was asked “Won’t you just marry and have children” (becoming unemployable), and I went to sites where there were no women’s facilities in accommodation camps – I had to use the showers at 2am to be sure of a little privacy. Thankfully I’m tough. I’ve been lucky to have inspiring women in my workplace, particularly when I moved to the contaminated land sector with Julia Wharton and Stephanie Williams being champions for my career.