The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is: #EachforEqual. Women are encouraged to “actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.”
Margery Moore was chosen to be profiled for Intelex Technologies International Women’s Day 2020 coverage because she is at the forefront of breakthrough technologies that can solve the most critical challenges in the EHS industry.
Margery Moore is Chief Executive Officer of ehsAI (Moore & Gasperecz Global Inc). Margery is always at the forefront of breakthrough technologies that can solve the most critical challenges in the EHS industry. Before founding ehsAI, an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning start-up based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Margery designed and developed multiple EHS software products for Bloomberg BNA. She has a BSc. and Masters in Environmental Data Management and in her spare time she is President of the Salt Spring Institute for Sustainability Education & Action, an environmental charity. She is an informal advisor to the National Association of Environmental Managers and sits on the Advisory Board of Canada’s leading independent digital newspaper, The National Observer.
How did you end up in a career as an EHSQ or Tech professional? Was that always your goal or did it evolve over time?
After traveling around the world for my gap year, I realized that environmental management was where I needed to apply my talents. There was just such a glaring need to find ways to better steward the environment. At that time the Brundtland Report had just come out, too, and the first university degrees at the nexus of business, science, data, and environmental management were available. I found my calling and quickly finished a BSc. and Masters in EHS data management.
Were you mentored, either in school or in your first jobs? If so, can you explain how that helped you in your career?
Yes, I was mentored by many including the Chair of my Master’s Thesis Committee, then by the leadership at ICF Consulting and later at Bloomberg BNA. Now it’s mentors that I’ve met in my start-up life like Kieth Ippel from Spring Activator. They all helped me at critical stages of my career. I am always grateful when people that know more than I do are willing to spend time helping others learn.
What are some of the challenges facing female EHSQ or Tech professionals? Did you experience those challenges and how did they impact you?
One glaring challenge is that there are less woman in this field and in engineering in general. And when it comes to Artificial Intelligence the problem is worse. Sometimes it has been hard to find a tribe. I firmly believe in constantly learning and I’m always pushing the envelope, trying to stay one step ahead. I have to be honest though, I have left companies because I hit the glass ceiling. Finally starting my own company was the only way to truly honor my dreams and achieve my goals.
What do you love about your job?
I don’t have to hold back anymore! I can apply all that I have learned throughout my 20+ year career in EHS to knock it out of the park. As CEO of my own company, I can take concrete steps to ensure we are diverse and flexible, putting people right up there with profit.
What are keys to your success?
First thing, support from family. I could not do this without the support of my family. My husband is also my COO, which was planned years in advance. I make sure I get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep and get exercise daily. That is critical to thinking clearly and being able to consistently work at a high level.
What is the most valuable lesson you can share from your career in EHSQ or Tech?
Focus on saving the customer time and money and help them do the right thing and you’ll always be successful. Curiosity and the ability to develop new ideas, approaches and technology will keep customers coming back and will keep you in the game.
Knowing what you now know, if you had the opportunity to give women just starting out in their careers advice, what would you say?
Network, join NAEM and other industry associations. Speak, write, share. Build a tribe that will help you evolve personally and find the next opportunity that is right for your growth path. Folks that I started out with 20 years ago are still part of my group of friends, customers, and mentors.
Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.
Let’s all be #EachforEqual.
Related International Women’s Day articles:
International Women’s Day 2020: #EachforEqual In Tech and EHS
Ratna Morjaria: Managing EHSQ Proactively Is Essential to Business
Charlotte Oickle: Standing Firm and Taking Charge While Demonstrating Kindness & Empathy
Amy McNaughton: Building Safety Culture, Keeping Communication Open
Jonna Pedersen-Killeen: My Goal Was to Always Be Involved in Work that Brought Good to the World
Kristen Duda: It Is Critical to Align Your Personal Values to Those of the Company You Work For
