AIChE’s Youth Council for Sustainable Science and Technology (YCOSST), chaired by Jeff Seay and Sarah Widder, is part of the AIChE Institute for Sustainability. The goal is for YCOSST to be a clearinghouse for information and resources for K-12, undergraduates and young professionals interested in careers or college majors that involve sustainability.
One of the initiatives is to provide profiles of current professionals (industry, academia and government) working in the area of sustainability.
Every month, AIChE's Youth Council for Sustainable Science and Technology (YCOSST) will present profiles of sustainability professionals or those with a background in sustainability. Learn about their educational background, current employer/title, job function, and how sustainability plays a part in their industry, university or agency.
The goal of this project is to provide examples for young people of the role sustainability plays in a variety of careers and college majors.
What is your name?
Deborah Grubbe
What is your job title, current employer and employment sector (industry/academia/government/other)?
I am the President and Owner of Operations and Safety Solutions, LLC; Sector is Process Industries Consulting
Please provide your company/organization web address.
How many years have you held your current position?
I have held this position for the past 4 years.
What is your educational background?
I have a BS in Chemical Engineering, Advanced Degree in Chemical Engineering Business background & development.
Please provide a brief description of your job function.
I run my own consulting firm that focuses on operational risk reduction.
Please describe how sustainability plays a role in your day to day job function.
Being safe is the ultimate in sustainability.
Please describe how attitudes in your industry/university/agency have changed with regard to sustainability in the last few years?
People are realizing more and more that one can be sustainable and be profitable.
What skills and competencies in sustainability are particularly important for people entering your field, or seeking sustainability focused majors at your institution?
I reference the 7 areas of the AIChE Sustainability Index: Leadership, Safety, Environment, Social Responsibility, Innovation, Supply Chain and Product Stewardship
What advice would you give to someone wishing to pursue a career/major involving sustainability in your industry/university/agency?
Get a broad education in technology and in business as a foundation.
To illustrate the breadth of chemical engineering and to explore ways in which the profession is changing, throughout 2013 AIChE will be featuring profiles of today’s young professionals, as well as experienced engineers. This effort is being spearheaded by 2013 President Phillip Westmoreland. To learn more, see Dr. Westmoreland's President's Message. You can also read his blog series entitled "We Are ChE: Entering a Golden Age".