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Born: I was born in 1978 in Holland, Michigan, and have stayed in this beautiful area to remain connected to friends, family, and the local community.
Education: I studied at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Family: My husband Michael and I just celebrated 25 years together. We have two wonderful boys: Sam is 23 and working full time using his degree in industrial chemistry. Max, 19, just finished his freshman year and first college baseball season at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
When and how did you start working in the recycling industry? My path into the recycling industry followed 15 years as an insurance broker, a career that taught me the true value of being a local advocate for my clients. While the two fields might seem different on the surface, I found the transition to be a natural fit. I realized early on that both insurance and recycling are truly built on a foundation of trust and long-term relationships. I began this chapter of my career at PADNOS in 2013, focusing on the fiber market. There, thanks to a wonderful mentor's guidance, I developed a genuine appreciation for the “people-first” side of this business. I left PADNOS and joined Pratt Recycling in 2020 to bring that personal, relationship-driven approach to a national scale, allowing me to grow my network while staying true to the professional values I’ve spent my career building.
What was it about the industry that inspired you to build a career in it? Early in my career, I realized that while we handle physical commodities, the industry actually runs on human connection. I find a great deal of fulfillment in the collaborative nature of this work, whether I’m problem-solving with a long-term supplier or helping a new customer navigate their recycling goals. I am still constantly impressed by the sheer breadth and scope of what we do. On any given day, we interact with a vast variety of businesses, each with their own unique challenges and stories. It is incredibly rewarding to see how our work at Pratt ripples out across so many sectors; it reminds me that every relationship we build is an opportunity to make a tangible, positive impact.
What have been your most rewarding professional achievements? I find deep personal motivation in the variety of clients we serve and the tangible, positive impact our industry makes on the world. My most rewarding achievement has been my journey within Pratt, where I have transitioned from regional roots to become responsible for the national brokerage and marketing of all Pratt Recycling plant commodities. I have always believed that success in this industry isn’t just about moving material; it’s about earning trust as a dedicated partner. By prioritizing genuine, client-focused relationships, I’ve been able to bridge the gap between national-scale operations and the personal service our customers deserve.
Personal achievements? My family is my greatest achievement. For the past six years, as we've walked alongside my son Sam in his journey with a rare incurable cancer, my definition of “success” has completely changed. Advocating for him has been the most profound honor of my life, but it has also been my greatest teacher. It has taught me that what truly matters is the gift within the present moment. When you face something so much bigger than yourself, the small frustrations of life—the things that used to feel like mountains—simply melt away. I’ve learned to hold space for what is meaningful and let go of the rest. I find my achievement in the quiet strength of our family and the perspective that every day is to be lived and not a moment, big or small, is taken for granted.
What are you passionate about? My deepest passion lies in the power of genuine connection and the joy of cultivating strong relationships, both professionally and personally. This revolves entirely around people, being generous with my time and resources, and creating environments—whether in a business setting or at home—where relationships can thrive.
In my professional life, I’m passionate about making connections the foundation of success. I firmly believe that sales is not about transactions but about building consistent, genuine, client-focused relationships to earn trust. It’s incredibly rewarding to become a trusted partner by understanding a client’s challenges and anticipating their needs.
On a personal level, this passion translates into a commitment to generosity and hosting. I find immense joy in creating a welcoming space for family and friends. Additionally, I believe in giving back through local outreach and community service.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people. Something that often surprises my colleagues is that I spent years singing in a cover band. While I eventually traded late-night performances for early mornings with my children, music remains a vital part of my life. I still sing weekly at my church, where I find it incredibly rewarding to mentor young musical talent and I even serve as a special event or “wedding singer” from time to time.
If you could improve anything about yourself, what would it be? A strategic area of focus for my continuous improvement is effective delegation. My commitment to high standards has often led me to maintain granular involvement, but I recognize that this approach is a constraint on team scalability and development. I am actively working to transition to a more empowering leadership style, which has successfully increased my team’s ownership and fostered greater collective accountability.
What do you like to do in your free time? Living in Michigan gives me the opportunity to enjoy all that the seasons have to offer, whether it is skiing in the winter or heading to the beach in the summer. I love being outside; it’s a great way to stay active and unplug, which helps me stay sharp and energized when I'm back in the office.
You recently became PSI’s Communications Chair—what motivated you to become a PSI volunteer leader? I believe effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful organization. My motivation to serve as PSI’s Communications Chair stems from a commitment to translating my professional expertise into meaningful advocacy for the paper and recycling industry. Having spent the last 12 years navigating this industry’s complexities, I recognize that the PSI Chapter serves as a vital platform for establishing standards and driving innovation. I firmly believe we have a responsibility to contribute to the organizations that have shaped our careers. By stepping into a leadership role, I hope to actively contribute to the solutions and forward-thinking strategies that will ensure our industry’s continued growth and resilience.
What benefits have you received from your PSI involvement—as a PSI leader and in general? My involvement with PSI has been a significant driver of my professional growth, specifically through the strategic network it provides. First, the access to a national network of industry decisionmakers has been invaluable. Stepping outside of my daily operations to engage with mill owners, brokers and logistics experts across the country has given me a much broader perspective on our market. This “macro” view allows me to bring more informed, high-level insights to every discussion and understand the ripple effects of market shifts nationwide.
What are the major challenges facing your company and the overall recycling industry today? A key challenge currently facing the industry is ensuring the long-term supply of quality scrap paper for Pratt’s paper mills and other facilities. Additionally, the risk of fires at recycling facilities is increasing because more consumer products containing batteries are improperly entering the recycling stream. It is essential that the industry encourages proper recycling habits.
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