March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrates the achievements of women in the workplace while reinforcing the importance of continued progress toward gender equality.
The 2025 IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” underscores the drive to create a more equitable world. In honor of this, we’re excited to showcase some of Federal Recycling’s incredible women who embody this spirit of action.
Meet the Federal Recycling Team
Tricia Chadwick, General Manager
Tricia Chadwick’s professional journey began in 1991 when she started as a receptionist at Weyerhaeuser. Her career quickly evolved as she transitioned into roles in sales, transportation, and customer care with Vista Fibers and Green Star. Tricia further honed her expertise by helping build Logistixs Recycling, before joining Frontline Solutions, a company specializing in the VA’s recycling program. Following Federal Recycling’s acquisition of Logistixs Recycling, Tricia returned to the company’s sales department. Today, she serves as the General Manager of the San Antonio plant, overseeing daily operations, which include transportation, safety, logistics, materials purchasing, and managing a team of 24 employees.
“Each day brings new challenges and experiences, and I truly appreciate the variety of work,” Tricia said. “I’m fortunate to work with an incredible team that makes it all the more rewarding.”
Women in the Federal Recycling Workplace
At Federal Recycling, Tricia finds immense value in the respect and recognition afforded to women, particularly in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. A significant moment in her career was witnessing Carilyne Martin’s promotion from Office Manager at the Columbus, Georgia, plant to General Manager. Tricia was particularly impressed by how the Federal Recycling executive team not only recognized Carilyne’s potential but also mentored her to ensure her success in the role.
Looking ahead, Tricia is optimistic about the future of women in the recycling industry, noting the increasing number of women rising into leadership positions. She sees this progress reflected at both the general manager and executive levels, citing Kendra Kemp’s leadership, Vice President of Operations, as a key example of the company’s commitment to advancing women in the workplace.
Tricia takes pride in her role at Federal Recycling, where she continues to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her leadership challenges conventional norms, inspiring others within the company and industry to reconsider gender roles.
“By excelling in a role traditionally held by men, I aim to show other women in the company that determination and resilience are key to success,” Tricia said. “I want to demonstrate that women can thrive in any field they choose.”
Ebonie Harris, Operations Coordinator
When Ebonie Harris transitioned from a career in graphic design to accounting at the Federal Recycling corporate office at the end of 2020, she knew she had found a company full of creative challenges. After a few months, Ebonie was promoted to the role of Operations Coordinator at the St. Louis plant, directly support some of the recycling plants. Now, Ebonie supports all eight plants on the production side, primarily through the company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and she is the main contact for any ERP-related questions or research.
“When I joined Federal Recycling, I surprised myself,” Ebonie said. “It was a total switch from what I was doing before, but I was excited for the challenge. I’m fortunate to be at a company where they recognized my strengths and presented me with more opportunities to utilize my skills.”
Stepping into a New Role
One of Ebonie’s favorite aspects of her role is the opportunity to work with the office managers, most of whom are women. In a typically male-dominated industry, this is especially meaningful to her as it highlights the progress being made toward gender equality and showcases the power of women in the workplace. It also allows her to be part of a supportive network with mentorship opportunities, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in the industry. A great example of this is how closely Ebonie works with her boss, Kendra Kemp.
“It’s amazing to have a female boss, especially in this industry. Hearing Kendra speak about her position and how she handles different situations is inspiring. She’s a fantastic mentor.”
Accelerating Action Through Meaningful Actions
Ebonie accelerates action by mentoring and leading the women she works with, creating a supportive network that encourages women to trust their abilities and pursue leadership roles. Ebonie leads by example, showing decisive action, collaboration, and empowerment can create lasting change.
Shawna Harris, Controller
When Shawna Harris was searching for her next role, she knew she wanted to utilize her financial analytical skills. An opportunity soon presented itself when a former colleague, Federal Recycling’s Chief Financial Officer Nigel Morton, reached out to offer her the corporate Controller role. Shawna was particularly drawn to the strong team culture and the opportunity to collaborate closely with the accounting department and plant general managers in a supportive and empowering environment. Excited by the opportunity, she eagerly accepted the role.
A Day in the Life as a Controller
In addition to supporting the daily operations of the all-women accounting team, Shawna plays a key role in leading General Managers on the budgeting process, ensuring financial efficiency and strategic planning. She enjoys collaborating with Kendra Kemp on plant reporting, gaining valuable insights into cause-and-effect relationships and improving operational decision-making.
“I continuously seek innovative solutions to enhance financial reporting, streamline processes and provide more accurate, insightful data to support business growth,” Shawna said. “I enjoy collaborating with Kendra, people in the field and those on my team to achieve these goals.”
Driving Change Through Purposeful Actions
Shawna accelerates action by advocating for women in accounting and actively supporting their career growth. She recognizes women often experience different transitions in life, but she remains committed to empowering them to succeed. Having entered a male-dominated field, Shawna has witnessed a shift in the industry, with more women rising to leadership roles as partners and CFOs.
“I’m passionate about addressing the growing need for professionals in accounting and encouraging more women to pursue and excel in the field,” Shawna said. “It’s important that we continue to foster an inclusive work environment.”
Through her efforts, she is not only driving progress for individual careers but also shaping the future of the industry.
Beth Quinlisk, Office Manager
Working at the ground level of the St. Louis plant was not what Beth Quinlisk had originally envisioned for her role when she first joined the company. After briefly working in the brokerage department at the Corporate office, Beth was asked to move to the plant to assume the role of the Office Manager in February 2014. Over her 11 years in this role, Beth has witnessed the plant undergo multiple changes, from adding loading docks to expanding operations within the building. Now, Beth oversees the truck’s dispatching and loading operations, ensuring that daily operations run smoothly.
“One of my favorite aspects is working with the customers to ensure the plant is providing both high-quality services and products,” Beth said. “I love connecting with them.”
Creating a Safe Work Environment.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Beth has taken on other projects outside her typical role, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to expanding her skills and contributions within the organization. One such example was when Beth worked closely with Kendra Kemp to create a safety manual for all plants, establishing best practices and standardized procedures in a comprehensive guide that has become the essential resource to ensure a safer work environment.
How Beth Drives Progress
Beth’s proactive mindset and willingness to take on challenges have driven continuous progress at the plant. Whether refining processes, strengthening customer partnerships, or championing workplace safety, she consistently seeks ways to improve efficiency and create a positive impact. Her leadership and dedication to innovation not only benefit the plant’s day-to-day functions but also contribute to its long-term success.
“I feel fortunate to work for a company that values each employee’s contributions, including those from women,” Beth said. “My career path shows if you work hard in this organization, you can be given opportunities to lead and drive meaningful impact.”
Accelerating Action to Empower Women for the Future
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor the progress women have made while acknowledging the ongoing challenges. The 2025 IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” calls us to champion equality, support women in leadership, and create opportunities that empower future generations.
By spotlighting the remarkable women at Federal Recycling, we aim to inspire progress and ignite meaningful conversations that drive lasting change.
