It has been such a blessing to transition from all virtual events to more in-person events in the past few months. In the springtime we participated inEarth Day activities including stream cleanups and the Braddock BlockBeautification. In July, we took a members-only tour of the Etna Eco Districtwith a happy hour following. It’s so nice to meet people face-to-face,especially when many may have met for the first time virtually over the pastyear and a half! Even with the uncertainty of future restrictions, there is hope that we can stillengage in-person while taking appropriate safety precautions. We are lookingforward to additional networking happy hours; a vapor intrusion workshophosted by EnviroWorkshops where you can 1) get a free lunch, and 2) earnPDH credits; and our annual service events including the ConnoquenessingCreek Cleanup hosted by Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, and the AnnualALCOSAN Open House. Our Public Service Committee is constructing a FreeLittle Library (FLL) geared towards Science, Technology, Engineering, andMath (STEM) books to encourage our youth. This FLL will be installed inSettlers Cabin Park and supported by the Robinson Township Library andlocal donations. Look forward to a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremonyonce installation is complete. Through our efforts to engage youth and young women in the STEM industry,we strive to close the gender gap and serve as strong role models in theenvironmental industry. We’re currently partnering with Dr. Audrey Murrellthroughout the end of the year to bring monthly mentoring challenges tomembers and non-members. Our network of environmental and STEMprofessionals provides engagement and partnering potential for local andlarge-scale Three Rivers projects. I encourage you to join us at our upcomingevents and volunteer opportunities!

Hello SWEP Members, Sponsors, and Friends!

NEWSLETTERBecome a Member Today: swep3rivers.org

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

GREETING

MEET A MEMBERErica Love

Connie Creek Cleanup

ALCOSAN Open House

Happy Hour Charity Event

Enviro Justice Panel

+ more!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

I N T H I S I S S U E______________________

Page 1

EVENT RECAPSDEP OEJ Lunch and Learn

Summer Mentoring - Pt 1

GBA Women+ in Green Breakfast

EcoDistrict Tour

SPONSOR MESSAGEGeosyntec

2021 Board of Directors

Amanda Love, Chair

Heather Tahon, Vice Chair

Mallory Griffin, Past Chair

Kim Kennedy, Secretary

Cindy Zuch, Treasurer

Lauren Terpak, Membership

Heather Tahon, Nominating

Holly Douglas, Sponsorship

Renée Krynock, Mentoring

Heather Dodson, Public Service

Ingrid Pearson & Manda Metzger, Programming

Katie Kovalchik, Communications

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Page 2

Annual Sponsor Letter from Geosnytec

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. (Geosyntec) is a specialized consulting and engineering firm that works with private andpublic sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving the environment, natural resources, andcivil infrastructure. At Geosyntec, we are committed to having a sustainably responsible impact on our environment – asan employer, as members of our communities, and by fosteringsustainability with our clients and partners. While we arecommitted to continually improving our internal sustainability stewardship, we recognize our biggest impact stems fromthe services we provide our clients. Our Pittsburgh, PA office opened in 2012 and since has grown to provide a widerange of remediation, environmental management, geotechnical, and process engineering services that support thismission. Over the last several years, our service offerings have expanded to meet the needs of clients increasinglyfocused on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects of their business.

Geosyntec offers a wide variety of ESG-related services tosupport clients in various ESG maturity stages, from earlyadopters to leaders seeking further innovation and strategyalignment. We provide risk-based strategic support,sustainability and ESG Reporting, greenhouse gasinventory, Life Cycle Assessment, carbon reductionstrategies, renewable energy generation, and sustainableremediation to a broad base of market sectors andgovernment entities.

Using ESG filters to make investment decisions; Linking ESG performance to financial performance; Divesting based on ESG reporting and risk management; and Focusing on a company’s management of external risks and its ability to create long-term value.

Having an ESG strategy that is well integrated into business operations and systems has never been more important.Investors, lenders, and insurance institutions are:

Our team of over 1,500 employees worldwide including engineers, geologists, scientists, and other technical and projectstaff located in more than 85 offices are highly motivated to create innovative and socially responsible solutions for ourclients in this rapidly changing environment.

Geosyntec has been a strong supporter of the SWEP Three Rivers Chapter since its inception and is proud to be thisyear’s Diamond Sponsor. The mission of SWEP aligns well with our Women’s Mentoring and Diversity and InclusionPrograms, which are integral to our success as a company. We look forward to a continued relationship with SWEP ThreeRivers and to continued opportunity to get to better know its members and fellow supporters. Connect with us via ourwebsite, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Meet a Member | Q & A with Erica Love

What do you find exiting or challenging about your job?

As an environmental consultant I l ike working on many different jobs, over

my career I have done work with typical environmental si tes to monitor or

remove contamination from groundwater, soi l , and air but I ’ve also done

projects related to landfi l ls , infrastructure upgrades, unexplored

ordinance/munitions removal, geophysics, and engineering.

What aspect of your education has been important in your career?

Studying geology you never real ly have a ful l picture of what is going on

beneath the ground surface and in consult ing you never get al l the

information you would l ike to have to make a decision. So studying geology

gave me a good background for making educated guesses and assumptions

about my sites so that I can generate an conceptual si te model and make

decisions without 100% of the information.

What is your favorite Pittsburgh attraction and why?

My favorite Pit tsburgh attraction is the geology/geography; the rivers, the “mountains” or slopes, and the

green spaces. I t is Pit tsburgh’s most unique feature and the reason i t made such a great sett lement for

Native American’s , a Fort for the English, a home for the steel and other industries, great views, why we

have our tunnels (and traffic) , al l our l i t t le unique neighborhoods, the inspiration for Rachel Carson, our

many parks and green spaces, and now is leading the rust belt revival . I t ’s the f irst thing I bring visi tors

to see, a trip to Mount Washington to ride the incline and “see” Pit tsburgh. Then we eat !

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Page 3

Tell us about a women who inspires you?

There have been many over the years, from my grandmother

who started her 45 year career as a teacher in a one room

school house, to the women scientists , l ike Madame Currie, I

learned about in school , the women colleagues who paved the

way for al l of us to do what we love today in STEM fields . But

today I ’m most inspired by the three women I ’m closest too, my

mom and my sisters . My mom (and dad) always pushed us to be

independent, speak our mind, get an education, play sports, if

we wanted to, and at the same t ime try out dance and

gymnastics, and be compassionate . My sisters and I took ful l

advantage of their support . My middle sister, Melissa, is

raising three of the coolest and nicest boys, al l while being a

full t ime a teacher and wife . I don’ t know how she keeps that

many people thriving at one t ime. My youngest sister, Alesha,

is a social worker and legal advocate, helping women overcome

some of the most traumatic experiences you can imagine.

You personally don’t need to know

everything and have al l the answers,

you just need to know how to say “no

but I can find out” and then track down

the person who does know the answer

and delegate!

As a scientist , I need to know a lot more

about accounting and business than I

was lead to bel ieve.

I ’m never going to completely feel l ike I

know what I ’m doing in my job because

there ’s always a new problem to solve.

I ’m learning to be Ok with that!

Have you learned any unexpected lessons

since beginning your career?

1 .

2 .

3 .

Erica with her mom and sisters in Maine

ALCOSAN Open House 2019

Erica Is a geologist and project manager with Tetra Tech in Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Event Recap | Lunch & Learn with Allison Acevedo

Page 4

On June 2, 2021, SWEP Three Rivers Chapter was

honored to host a virtual Lunch & Learn with

All ison Acevedo, the Director of the Office of

Environmental Justice (OEJ) and the OEJ Western

Section at the Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection (PADEP). All ison

explained the differences in definit ions and

policies of Environmental Justice (EJ) and how the

OEJ views EJ as embodying the principle that

communities and populations should not be

disproportionately exposed to adverse

environmental impacts . EJ areas in Pennsylvania

equal ~30% of the state and are determined by a

population of 30% people of color and/or 20% low-

income households. The OEJ’s goals are to

minimize adverse environmental impacts,

empower communities, and foster economic

opportunit ies .

The presentation detai led information about

redlining practices that have moved EJ

communities toward areas of environmental

hazards, EJ lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Trigger

Permits, public outreach and participation, and

the benefits of community engagement. All ison

presented a t imeline showing government

involvement in EJ from the 1960s Civil Rights

Movement to the 2021 Executive Order 14008, in

which the federal government wil l make

investments to support cl imate and EJ programs.

The future PADEP OEJ t imeline includes grant

making, a policy advisory group, policy planning

and draft ing, public outreach, and implementation

of newly instated EJ Policies in 2022.

At the OEJ, All ison works to ensure fair treatment

and meaningful involvement by community

residents in development of environmental laws,

policies, and practices and that just ice and equity

are integrated into state policies and practices

regarding the environment. All ison has a long

history of engaging communities and promoting

social and environmental just ice . In past roles,

she has been a strategic planning consultant and

an attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor, a

consultant to environmental and other nonprofit

organizations, the Director of Education of the

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern

New Jersey, and a staff advisor to Pennsylvania

Representative W. Curtis Thomas and

Pennsylvania Senator Allyson Y. Schwartz. She

co-founded the Philadelphia Black Giving Circle

and is a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania

Early Childhood Coali t ion.

All ison grew up in the Homewood-Brushton

neighborhood of Pit tsburgh and currently l ives in

the Philadelphia area. She received a Bachelor of

Arts from Swarthmore College and a Juris Doctor

and Master of Laws in Taxation from Temple

University Beasley School of Law. When asked

how to successfully work with grassroots

organizations, All ison’s advice is to build

relat ionships and focus on engaging people in the

process, not just the product .

Never-ending thanks to All ison for sharing her

valuable t ime and information with us! More

information can be found at EJScreen, including

interactive tools and training videos.

You can sign up for the OEJ Newsletter, EJ News.

You can also contact the PADEP OEJ at RA-

EPOEJ@pa.gov or direct ly contact All ison

Acevedo, Director and Western Region, at

alacevedo@pa.gov; John Brakeall , Central Region,

at jbrakeall@pa.gov; or Justin Dula, Eastern

Region, at jdula@pa.gov.

This year, our SWEP 3 Rivers chapter served as a Networking Sponsor for the Green Building

All iance: Generations of Women+ in Green Breakfast . This year ’s breakfast was hosted online on the

Gather.Town app, which simulated an in-person event experience and al lowed attendees to interact

virtually . Attendees were given a gift card to their local coffee shop so that they could enjoy a breakfast

treat while participating in the event .

The Keynote Speaker, Katlego Kai Kolanyane-Kesupile , is a groundbreaking international award-

winner, with imprints in human rights, education and performing arts . Katlego emphasized that as

women+, we SHOULD be, rather than we CAN be . For example, this phrase of women+ CAN be CEO’s

indicates being given permission to rather than simply acknowledging we are, of course, able to take on

any role at our own discret ion.

This Year’s Theme

For the Women+ in Green community, the words “Steadfast and Strong” capture how women and

transgender people have adapted and endured in an unthinkable year. In the U.S. , women’s workforce

participation is at a 33-year low, and women+ of color feel these impacts more acutely .

Each generation of women and transgender people brings i ts own wisdom and perspective, and this is

uniquely true for those of us who focus on sustainabil i ty and the intersections of cl imate, equity, health,

and economy. Each generation has something valuable to share, and we al l seek opportunit ies to learn

from others. In the panel discussion, the guests shared their tools for remaining steadfast in their

work, strengthening and supporting others, and solutions for healing people and the environment.

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Event Recap

Page 5

GBA's Women+ in Green Breakfast

On June 14th, SWEP hosted a virtual event with Dr. Audrey Murrel l to kick off our Mentoring Challenge

Newsletter series . Dr. Murrel l , a professor at the University of Pit tsburgh, is an expert on mentoring,

leadership development, and diversity/inclusion. Her research goes far beyond the tradit ional

mentor/mentee idea, proving that al l parties have something to contribute, and you need more than one

guide as you develop in your career and in l ife .

Dr. Murrel l began the presentation with the nine mentoring functions- which cover both career and

psychosocial elements that everyone needs from their relat ionships to succeed. You need someone who

can coach you and someone who can protect you, for instance, but that doesn’ t have to be and often isn’ t

the same person. I t ’s also important to remember that you can be f i l l ing these roles for the people in your

life, no matter where you are in your career .

These relat ionships are extremely valuable to your career and mental health. In fact , one study showed

that professionals who had mentors earned between $5,600 and $22,450 more than peers who didn’ t . Dr.

Murrel l also cautioned to be on the lookout for “negative mentoring”- i t ’s not a given that a mentor wil l

be a perfect f i t . In addit ion, she encourages everyone to have a “mentoring portfol io” , including one-on-

one mentoring, peer mentoring, coaching, and group mentoring. This adds depth to your support network.

One of the biggest takeaways was about treating mentoring as a practice . I t requires contributions from

all parties, and there ’s no one prescription for how to help or be helped. If you’d l ike to learn more and

receive monthly prompts to keep your practice going, strengthening relat ionships and forging new ones,

please join our Mentoring Challenge Newsletter today!

Page 6

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Mentoring | Part 1

Event Recap

Audrey J. Murrell is currently Professor of

Business Administration, Psychology, Public and

International Affairs at the University of

Pittsburgh, School of Business. Dr. Murrel l

conducts research on mentoring, careers in

organizations, workplace/supplier diversity and

social issues in management .

Dr. Murrel l serves as a consultant in the areas of

mentoring, leadership development, and

diversity/ inclusion. Audrey ’s community service

activit ies include having served on and chaired a

number of non-profit and community boards.

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Event Recap | Etna EcoDistrict Tour and Happy Hour

Page 7

On July 21 , 2021, the SWEP Three Rivers Chapter joined forces with Mary Ellen Ramage, Etna Borough

Manager, to host the Etna EcoDistrict Tour and E-Town Happy Hour. Etna is a small r ivertown

community, northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, covering one square mile along the Allegheny River bank.

Due to i ts posit ion between upstream communities and the Allegheny River, Etna has a history of extreme

flooding. Mary Ellen gave a presentation explaining the history of Etna’s f looding problems and the steps

taken to f ind solutions and mitigate stormwater challenges. Etna created a Green Infrastructure Master

Plan, uti l izing grants for studies and GIS modeling, and has completed three phases of their Green

Streetscape Infrastructure Projects . In 2019, Etna received the world ’s f irst cert if ication as an EcoDistrict

and is partnering with Mil lvale and Sharpsburg in a Triboro EcoDistrict , which al lows for shared

resources and init iat ives .

Mary Ellen led a tour to highlight some of the green infrastructure projects . We enjoyed walking along

the Butler and Freeport Streetscapes and Pine Creek trai ls . On the corner of Wilson Street and Grant

Avenue, the Etna Ecopark is almost complete and ready for visi tors . After the tour, the group journeyed

to E-Town for some great food, tasty drinks, and much needed in-person social izing. Many thanks to

Mary Ellen, our attendees, and E-Town for an enjoyable outing! For more information about the Etna

Green Infrastructure Master Plan and Streetscapes, go to Green Infrastructure Projects

(etnaborough.org ) , and information on the EcoDistricts can be found at Etna EcoDistrict - EcoDistricts.

We gave out plantable seed coasters during the EcoDistrict Happy Hour.

When planted in soil, it will grow wildflowers!

ALCOSAN Open House

September 18, 2021 at 8 :00am - 4:00pm

Email Hdodson@BrwnCald.com to volunteer

Keep an eye on our website for other upcoming events!

More details will be available soon.

Saw Mill Run cleanup (October 2021)

Environmental Justice Panel (Nov 2021)

Looking for a great way to support SWEP?

In addit ion to sponsoring one of the many SWEP

events throughout the year, for an addit ional fee, you

can have your company logo featured on the back of a

SWEP t-shirt for an entire year! Each year, we provide

our volunteers with t-shirts to brand our clean-ups,

STEM programs and other activit ies .

As a teaser, here is the t-shirt design for 2022.

If you have not had an opportunity to sponsor a

program this year, but would l ike your logo on the

back of this shirt next year,

please contact the Sponsorship chair- Holly Douglas,

hdouglas@cosmostechnologiesinc.com.

Sponsorship Opportunity

AUGUST 202 1 I SSUE 7

Page 8

Upcoming Events

Connoquenessing Creek Cleanup Project

September 11 , 2021 at 8 :00am.

Sign up here !

Happy Hour Charity Event

October 14 @ 1700 Penn Ave; t ime to be determined

Registration to open here in mid-September.