Meet Stephanie Reeder (P.Geo. C.E.T.), the General Manager of the solid waste group at Cambium. Stephanie’s journey at Cambium began in 2006. Starting as a technologist in the field, she took on roles in drafting, surveying, and writing reports as the company grew. She became an integral part of the Environmental Consulting & Engineering team, focusing primarily on waste management. (See here: Waste Management – Cambium (cambium-inc.com)

Armed with a Geotechnical Engineering Technology diploma, Stephanie went back to school to obtain a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Geography, and her Professional Geoscientist of Ontario (PGO) designation while working full-time at Cambium. Obtaining the degree and designation was challenging, involving almost seven years of fieldwork and report writing, all while working and raising a family. Her work at Cambium has resulted in notable successes, such as reducing waste management budgets for municipalities and discontinuing unnecessary requirements, thus setting a precedent for future initiatives.

Today Stephanie’s focus lies not only on her team’s accomplishments with clients but also on continuing to build an environment where her team feels supported. “I’ve always appreciated that we are a team. Education, individual service lines do not matter, we want to learn from each other.”  As a hands-off leader, she trusts her team to navigate their roles while providing guidance when needed.

When asked about advice for women considering careers in this field, Stephanie emphasizes the importance of hard work. “Let your work speak for itself. When I started college, I was one of three women in the program, so I knew it was a male dominated field. It is important to speak your mind, but you don’t need to prove that you belong – that comes with the quality of your work.” Stephanie believes progress for gender equity is underway. She mentions initiatives such as the Women in Waste committee at Waste 2 Resource Ontario and is hopeful about the future, as organizations are increasingly prioritizing and promoting inclusivity.