Month: August 2024

When Kate Warrington’s busy job in higher education slowed down during the pandemic, she took the opportunity to reflect on what she wanted in her career. Despite climbing the ladder in her field, she had felt “itchy” in her career for years.

After some reflection, she realized, “I want to do something every day that has a global impact and to know that my work impacts the wellbeing of others.” She was ready for a change.

This led her to the food and beverage industry. Warrington oversees the Technical Training Center at Tetra Pak’s Denton, Texas campus, where engineers who work with food processing and packaging equipment receive high-quality, hands-on instruction to ensure equipment runs at optimal conditions.

Purpose is a vital component of her day-to-day work. “Tetra Pak is special because we all care about people and the environment,” says Warrington. “We all know that what we do is so important for the world, for the environment, for people and that’s what makes this a very, very special place.”

Warrington is not alone. Edelman’s 2023 Trust Barometer shows that people are looking for work that has a greater purpose and can shape society. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said having a societal impact is a strong expectation or deal breaker when considering a job. At a recent event hosted by Females in Food, Warrington and two other food and beverage leaders shared how they found purpose in their careers.

Being part of an industry that supports lives through nutrition can connect with people’s desire to impact the health and wellbeing of others in a meaningful way.

Tia Glave always knew she wanted to be an engineer but found more traditional engineering roles unfulfilling. She never considered the food and beverage field would have opportunities for engineers until she attended a National Society of Black Engineers conference.

“Once I got into food, I realized I have a passion for building capabilities in others and helping people find their place, and then nourishing and growing them so they’re the best version of themselves,” she says. “I always tell people it’s fun to be in the food industry! It’s fun to eat. Even from a food safety standpoint, it’s a lot of fun.”

As the co-founder of Catalyst, a coaching and leadership development company for people in food and beverage, Glave supports food industry organizations of all sizes with food safety, quality, regulatory, operations and maintenance issues.

Abigail Dagadu finds purpose in working in the food and beverage industry because of food’s impact on health and wellbeing. She originally planned to become a doctor, but always had a passion for food. After an internship with a food flavor company, she realized she craved the creativity the field offered her.

“We all know food can make people feel better or lift you up if your day isn’t going well,” says Dagadu. “Being a food scientist, I can still help people feel better, which is why I originally was interested in medicine.”

As a research and development manager at Tetra Pak, she researches ways to improve the taste and nutritional value of customers’ products and ensures food safety can be maintained across the value chain. “I’m not just creating a product. I’m creating something that can be used therapeutically, to improve wellbeing, to bring people together in celebration,” Dagadu reflects.

From engineering to training and everything in between, the food and beverage industry offers a wide variety of career opportunities for those searching for purpose. No matter what path people take to get to food and beverage, they can find meaning in how the industry contributes daily to people’s lives.

Learn more about a career at Tetra Pak here.

By NRG Editorial Voices

Listen to the podcast here

We sat down with our experts, Megan Owen, Senior Energy Efficiency Manager, and Greg Kandankulam, Director of Sustainability, to discuss how businesses can stay compliant with local and federal policies and capitalize on available government incentives, all while plotting a course for a more sustainable future.

During our conversation, we cover:

Key policy and regulation requirements [05:21]How to offset compliance costs [08:54]How to overcome common compliance challenges [11:25]How businesses know where to start [13:37]The importance of setting sustainability goals [15:15]How to create a comprehensive roadmap [16:54]How to develop a holistic energy strategy [19:42]What energy efficiency improvements businesses can implement [23:28]How often energy audits need to happen [25:50]How to choose the right energy efficiency strategies [26:44]If businesses should consider a phased approach [27:49]Best practices for energy benchmarking and reporting [28:40]

Understand key sustainability policies and regulations

As governments and businesses sharpen their focus on sustainability, companies like yours need to know what’s required to comply with evolving local and federal policies. This can be challenging, as each region has its own set of requirements ranging from simple benchmarking reports to setting carbon emissions targets.

In New York, for example, there are several Local Laws designed to drive energy reduction; the aggregate of these laws makes up one of the most stringent programs in the country. There’s also the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance in Boston, Washington D.C.’s Building Energy Performance Standards, and recently passed Senate Bills 253 and 261 in California. These are just a few examples of the measures cities and states are implementing today.

Set your business up for success

Complying with ever-evolving regulatory policies is no easy feat, but it’s essential for your business. It can help you avoid costly penalties. Plus, it can enhance the value of your brand and potentially increase your revenue as more consumers and investors prioritize companies that are committed to environmental stewardship.

To achieve this ambitious goal, we recommend creating a holistic strategy that aligns your sustainability objectives with industry standards. Consider conducting an annual energy audit to identify efficiency improvements and cost savings. Finally, review your building’s year-over-year performance and compare it to others using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool.

Work with an experienced partner

Whether you are just starting your sustainability journey or looking to optimize your existing efforts, working with a trusted partner could also benefit your business. Look for one with deep insight into these complex programs and a proven record of hitting timelines and goals.

At NRG, we help customers across the country:

Strategically chart their course toward a more sustainable futureManage their participation risk and identify potential sources of funding, such as local utility incentives, rebates, and tax creditsCreate comprehensive roadmaps that integrate different local and federal requirements into one cohesive planGuide them in improving efficiencies and reporting for their organization

Connect with Megan Owen on LinkedIn
Connect with Greg Kandankulam on LinkedIn

Resources and people mentioned

Start Your Sustainability Journey with Energy eBook Guide

The Challenge

Henry Ford Health, Michigan’s leading healthcare provider, aims to develop one of the nation’s first net zero hospital campuses. The challenge will be operating without generating greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining reliable service for their patients. They will need innovative technologies and strategies to address energy consumption and waste management.

 

The Solution

Henry Ford Health, Kiewit, and Veolia North America collaborated to implement a comprehensive solution which, in addition to a 33-year Operations and Maintenance contract, will include:

RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASING 
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) ensure a supply of renewable electricity, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

DIGITAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT 
Veolia’s Hubgrade digital platform monitors and manages energy use efficiently, optimizing consumption and reducing waste.

SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE 
A task force drives ongoing improvement and engages stakeholders in implementing sustainable practices.

ELECTRICITY 
The project installed electrified boilers, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

WASTE HEAT RECOVERY 
Waste heat recovery technology generates 75% of the facility’s heating, maximizing energy efficiency.

 

Projected Outcome

68% lower carbon footprint 

75% heat to come from waste heat recovery

Additional electric boilers enable full net-zero operation from day one, provided renewable energy power purchase agreements are in place.

Download the Case Study