As we near the end of Women’s History Month, we recognize all of the talented women in our company who are helping to forge the path forward to decarbonize the global chemicals industry by processing waste streams into circular chemicals.
As this month is devoted to showcasing the impact women have across our society, we conducted a brief Q&A with two of our chemical engineers – Senior Project Manager Caitlyn Labonte and Director of Sustainable Technology Samantha Albright — about their work and career paths. We hope that providing a glimpse into their exciting and challenging work may inspire others to join the drive for sustainability, particularly among aspiring young female engineers.
Caitlyn holds nine years of experience in the energy industry and has been with Encina for three. She is responsible for coordinating and managing engineering work and commercial project schedules — both within Encina and with its external partners – to deliver a technically feasible, executable and financeable EPC project.
Samantha, with four years at Encina and six of manufacturing experience, manages the technology team, drives innovation in advanced recycling, and advises on technology development. She ensures scalable, efficient and sustainable solutions while aligning technology initiatives with Encina’s environmental and business goals.
Q: What has been the most significant influence on your career journey?
Caitlyn: Experiencing the stark contrast between working for a large corporation and a small startup company. My startup experience has included innovating new technologies, participating in agile decision-making, exposure to various sides of the business such as investor funding, greater role responsibility with even greater autonomy, and continuous engagement with leadership. The aggregation of these constantly energizes me and inspires me to grow in my career. I would not have the full appreciation for these benefits that I do now nor the foundational skills to make the most of these opportunities had my previous work experience not been at a conglomerate.
Samantha: Carlo, my manager, has had a significant impact on my career since hiring me at Encina. He leads our team, mentors me, advocates on my behalf, and has become a good friend. My daughter has also profoundly influenced my career — I strive to make my work something she can be proud of while contributing to a better world for her future.
Q: Share an experience where you felt particularly proud to be part of the team at Encina.
Caitlyn: After recently being hired, it was my first time attending Encina’s quarterly all-hands meeting, where all the employees come together to share updates within their department. The passion, the knowledge and the experience everyone exuded was one of the most motivating work experiences I had ever had. Seeing the big talent our small team held made me feel like I was part of an undercover, earth-saving mission with the brightest minds in the game. Three years later, I still believe I am on the best team in the world.
Samantha: I take pride in Encina’s commitment to a sustainable future where nothing goes to waste. What started as a mission to create a circular solution for global plastic waste has evolved into a broader effort to reduce the GHG footprint of the chemicals sector — an impact that makes me proud to be part of this journey.
Q: What drew you to work at Encina, and how do Encina’s mission and values align with your personal goals?
Caitlyn: I originally was not focused on the sustainability space for my next role. I was unsure what I wanted to do next, but very certain I wanted to love my job. When my friend, an Encina employee, reached out about a need for a project role and sent me a link to the company’s website, I was mind-blown at what the heck Encina was doing. Now, after all that I’ve experienced on the Encina journey, it would be extremely difficult for me to not work on sustainable or circular projects. I’ve changed in that respect, which is exactly what Encina is out to do — change the world by catalyzing the transition to a sustainable, circular economy.
Samantha: I was drawn to Encina for its commitment to creating more sustainable and circular solutions for the chemical industry — a mission that aligns with my passion for driving meaningful change. I also deeply value nurturing and supporting the health, well-being and career growth of employees and colleagues, fostering an environment where people can thrive while making a lasting impact.
Q: What advice do you have for other women looking to make an impact in the recycling or sustainability sectors?
Caitlyn: Get involved! There is so much you will learn about this space that it will change how you view everyday life and our world and it will inspire you to be a part of the initiative.
Samantha: To make an impact in the recycling or sustainability sectors, women should cultivate self-confidence, actively network and seek mentorship, and advocate for their ideas. Prioritizing work-life balance and building a strong support system are key to long-term success.
We’re proud of the contributions Caitlyn and Samantha – and our entire team which is 40% female — have made to Encina’s growth on its path to establishing a circular economy for the remanufacture of plastics and other products. We’re fortunate they’re a part of our inclusive, collaborative team that allows everyone to flourish and bring the best ideas, science and aspirations to the table.