When Amy Wright, Sr. VP of marketing at Wastequip, started at the company 12 years ago, it was her first foray in the waste and recycling industry.

She discovered a community of people and companies who care are "authentic and transparent."

In an interview with Waste360, Wright spoke about what skills and values led her along her career path as well as how Wastequip's CEO Marty Bryant emulates an equitable and inclusive workplace.

Waste360: What led you to your career at Wastequip?

Wright: I've been in Charlotte for most of my adult life. I moved down here to go to school. I had a friend who had joined Wastequip. I was not familiar with the company, didn't know they were based here and honestly knew nothing about the waste industry. She recruited me to start up the marketing department at Wastequip. And that's how I came on board. 

I've been in marketing communications roles for most of my career and prior to Wastequip, I worked for other manufacturing companies for industrial lubrication products and construction products. So, nothing really waste-related. This is my first entry into waste if you will, but really passionate about marketing because I think it has to be the growth engine for any company

Waste360: How do you feel that the skills/values you've obtained throughout your career have helped you with a career in marketing communications for the waste industry?

Wright: Oddly enough, I think being an introvert is a skill. I'm very introverted. But I do think that's a skill, and that's not often seen as one in business. It helps me because of my tendency to listen and observe and try to make sure I understand what's going on,  be more thoughtful and circumspect before I jump to a conclusion or try to start developing some solution for something.

I also really value authenticity and transparency, and I try to always make sure that I demonstrate this trait in my interactions with senior leadership and with my team. [Waste] seems like it's an industry where those traits are valued, and I see them in other people as well in this industry. That's one of the things that I like about the waste industry - very authentic and transparent people generally speaking.

Waste360: Going along with the authenticity and transparency that is apparent in the waste and recycling industry, how do you feel these traits promote diversity, equity and inclusion efforts?

Wright: It's an authentic and transparent approach. This is emulated by our CEO - just being able to take issues or concerns directly to him and get those addressed, whether it's a an issue with, benefits for women or or something of that nature. People should be able to safely and freely speak their minds and ask for what they need. They can get to the senior leadership level without any fear of  repercussions or that concerns won't get acted on, and that's the thing I really like about working here.

Waste360: What programs do you see within the company do you feel like Wastequip has been really strong examples of advocating for women?

Wright: One of the things that is part of our core program, that still is important to our CEO is just making sure that women within our company are paid equally to what men are paid in those same roles. We did an extensive study across the company to make sure that was the case and if it wasn't the case, then salary adjustments were made and they continue to be made. 

He's not one that wants credit for these types of things, but that they are important and they are an important part of the core and how we retain female employees and make sure that we're developing them.

Editor's Note This is Part Three in a three-part series featuring women leaders at Wastequip. Part One features insight from Amanda Garman, Chief Purchasing Officer. In Part Two, learn from Laura Hubbard, Director of Municipal Sales and member of the NWRA Women’s Council. In Part Three, hear from Amy Wright, SVP of Marketing.