In the realm of global sustainable development, engineering stands as a crucial pillar, driving innovation and progress. Women, representing half of the world’s population, play a pivotal role in this narrative, bringing diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to the forefront. One such trailblazer in the field is Anastasia Welch, whose contributions at SCS Engineers exemplify the impact women engineers can have on shaping a sustainable future.
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for environmental sustainability, women like Anastasia drive positive change in the waste industry. Here’s her journey, which we hope will inspire you.
Building Professional Experience
As a Vice President/Project Director, Ms. Welch utilizes her civil engineering background to affect solid waste-related projects in numerous states for both municipal and private clients. Throughout her career, Anastasia has focused on solid waste-related solutions ranging from design and compliance to planning. As a solid waste practice leader in the Central Region, Anastasia leverages her experience across the company to bring the appropriate personnel and work efforts to meet clients’ expectations and needs.
This month, she achieved a milestone in her career with her promotion to the Business Unit Director for SCS’ Central Region. She brings technical expertise and a unique perspective that enriches her team’s problem-solving capabilities. By influencing industry standards and promoting responsible environmental practices throughout the firm, her leadership extends beyond the Central Business Unit.
Project Experience
Mrs. Welch enjoys assisting her clients to help them meet their long-term goals. Anastasia is passionate about landfills and the waste systems that serve our communities. As of 2020, she is the Co-Chair of SWANA’s Landfill Re-Branding Committee, focusing on changing how the public views landfills. More recently, she has become much more involved with industrial clients, assisting them with their multimedia permitting and compliance needs.
Anastasia appreciates the details of technical compliance regulations by putting the pieces together, whether for a landfill or an industrial manufacturing facility. She excels by protecting our environment in a responsible way that still allows businesses to thrive.
Her specialty services areas include landfill design, transfer stations, solid waste planning, industrial facilities support, gas, stormwater, and environmental & industrial compliance.
Demonstrating a Passion for Environmental Engineering and Leadership
Anastasia’s dedication to details has proven instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of waste management and landfill design. Women engineers like Anastasia bring a holistic approach to problem-solving, ensuring that solutions are sound and environmentally responsible.
Anastasia’s role as Co-Chair of SWANA’s Landfill Re-Branding Committee exemplifies SCS Engineers’ proactive stance in reshaping industry narratives. By actively working to change public perceptions of landfills, she demonstrates the transformative power of combining technical expertise with effective communication and education.
Publications and Presentations
Anastasia actively contributes to the field through various publications and presentations, showcasing and sharing successful solutions. Noteworthy publications include “Developing a Master Plan for the City of Kirkwood, MO” and “Systematic Pathways to a Sustainable Waste Business.” Her presentations at conferences such as the Global Waste Management Symposium and the Missouri Waste Control Coalition Conference reflect her dedication to knowledge sharing and staying at the forefront of industry trends.
Education and Professional Licenses
Anastasia holds a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Missouri, Columbia, graduating in 2000. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and North Dakota, showcasing her commitment to maintaining high professional standards.
The Transformative Power of Women in Environmental Engineering
Anastasia’s journey is a story of dedication, expertise, and leadership, from her educational background to her technical and managerial experience. Anastasia demonstrates a passion for environmental sustainability and a commitment to excellence.
As we celebrate the achievements of women like Anastasia, we recognize the collective impact women engineers have on achieving sustainable development goals. Their contributions go beyond technical expertise; each brings a fresh perspective, resilience, and a commitment to leaving a positive mark on the world. By fostering inclusivity, encouraging mentorship, and championing diversity, we pave the way for more engineering women to be architects of sustainable progress. The journey of women in engineering and as environmental consultants, exemplified by Anastasia, is a testament to the endless possibilities when talent knows no gender or color.
SCS Engineers is an exciting, challenging, rewarding place to work that is nationally recognized as an industry leader. Join us in supporting businesses and communities throughout North America.
After reviewing hundreds of nominations, Waste360 announced five of the most influential women in the waste and recycling industry for their leadership, achievements, and empowering others. Congratulations and thanks to Anne Germain, Joy Grahek, Dana Gunders, Michelle Leonard, and Ana Wood. Be sure to say hello to them all at Waste Expo! Read more about these five remarkable people on Waste360.
About Michelle Leonard
Michelle has invested more than 35 years into a career focused on solid waste management, working to lead communities nationwide in their efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste materials. She is a leader and influencer in the waste industry and at SCS Engineers. Michelle sits on the firm’s Board of Directors as a senior vice president and leads the future-focused practice of sustainable materials management (SMM). SMM to reduce waste directly correlates with climate change as an implementable solution to reduce emissions. A recent quote from one of her clients epitomizes her impact, “Even if I already knew, I still get amazed every time realizing how knowledgeable you are.”
Michelle mentors, guides, and influences all SCSers and young professionals.
She is particularly interested in promoting the cause of women, diversity, and equity in the industry and at SCS. She guides and mentors young female professionals on their professional journey in her practice and the broader company. “As someone newer to this industry, I feel very fortunate to work with Michelle. She constantly supports my growth within the industry and our company,” states Kelli Farmer, an SCS young professional and SMM team member.
In the words of SCS President and CEO Jim Walsh, “Michelle informs some of the country’s largest cities and waste company programs. Her knowledge and dedication to her clients, industry, and within SCS earn our respect.”
Recognized for her positive influence on the waste industry, Michelle is a sought-after speaker at industry organizations and has served on their boards and key committees. Look for her presentation Why is Multifamily Recycling So Hard? at Waste Expo.
She is well-known for her guidance in successfully helping businesses, educational institutions, and municipalities adopt a sustainable materials management program as a systemic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycle. As one of five influential women, Michelle’s work finds new implementable opportunities to minimize environmental impacts, conserve resources, and reduce costs across the nation.
A History of Serving
In 2016, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker appointed Michelle to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) from October through the term of the Committee’s charter in August 2018. Michelle represented SCS and the U.S. environmental technology industry’s waste management and recycling segment. Following her term of service, Michelle said, “I was honored to help support the unique role environmental technologies play in advancing the solid waste industry. We can safely help mitigate many global environmental problems.”
Michelle is a Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) member and has been on the Board of Directors of SWANA’s Southern California Founding Chapter since 2009. She has led the organization in various key roles as International Board Past President and Past Director of SWANA’s Recycling and Special Waste Technical Division.
Michelle is the past Southern California Waste Management Forum Director and the Women’s Environmental Council President. She serves on the leadership team of Southern California Women in Solid Waste and Recycling.
Recognized by SWANA with their Distinguished Individual Achievement Award (DIAA), the organization acknowledged Michelle’s success and service to their Technical Division and her clients for long-term achievements in the solid waste industry.
“Michelle Leonard’s influence and work are supporting communities and states to manage waste economically and responsibly,” said SCS President and CEO Jim Walsh, “Her work greatly benefits her clients, our industry, and the public.”
Impacting the waste and recycling industry
Michelle’s expertise in solid waste management regulations and practices has helped many city, county, and state regulators to manage successful and award-winning waste management and recycling projects. She is a proponent of integrating the principles of a circular economy into the waste industry. She promotes municipalities and private waste companies adopting circular strategies, which reduce waste going into landfills. Reducing waste reduces methane emissions, thus improving air quality and public health, and safety.
Michelle says, “Sustainable materials management can help meet the challenges of waste reduction and management as states impose disposal bans, diversion mandates, and emissions restrictions. It’s economically sound and socially responsible, too.”
Michelle stays attuned to evolving regulations, maintains relationships with regulators, and keeps her clients and the industry abreast of current issues. She publishes peer-reviewed papers, articles, blogs, and presents on these issues at various industry organizations.
Working at SCS
Born and raised in Southern California, Michelle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Berkley. While working on energy conservation projects in California, Michelle worked her way into a position at SCS Engineers. She is now a senior vice president and SCS Board of Directors member. As the firm’s National Expert on Solid Waste Planning, Recycling, and Sustainability projects and plans, she drives the firm’s strategies and response to California Senate Bill 1383. This experience and understanding of economic sustainability enable her to meet the growing need for composting strategies, technologies, and facilities nationwide as more states and regions aim to go greener.
Michelle is a mentor, guide, and influencer for the 341 women and young professionals at SCS Engineers. She is particularly interested in promoting the cause of women and diversity and equity at SCS Engineers and in the industry. Elizabeth Purington, a young professional at SCS and SMM team member, says, “As a young woman in the solid waste industry, I am inspired by all that Michelle has been able to accomplish in her career. She leads the Sustainable Materials Management practice and sits on the company’s Board of Directors, all while empowering other women to become leaders alongside her.”
Positive Influence
Michelle is instrumental in the education and certification of young professionals, municipalities, and members of professional organizations. She strives to help others find ways to reduce waste and recover more materials to meet their environmental responsibilities sustainably.
Michelle would be the only woman in the room at the start of her career. Today, Michelle is proud to see the industry evolve, albeit slowly, and noted, “I think there are a lot of very strong and vital roles that women are playing in our industry now.”
In various roles in the industry and at SCS, Michelle firmly encourages women to be smart, search for opportunities, and use personal strengths to their advantage. She firmly believes that women can play an important role in the environmental consulting and waste management industries and is happy to see women take on more critical roles.
