Passion is what fuels many individuals’s careers. For some workers who’re contributing to Toyota Motor North America’s (TMNA) ongoing environmental efforts, it’s been the driving power.
“I have always been fascinated by the outdoors and environmental issues,” says Colin Boswell, a supervisor of emissions compliance technique and enterprise technique at TMNA. “I pursued researching air quality’s effects on human health during college and then, prior to Toyota, worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”
For many who work in environmental roles at Toyota, it’s not only a job — it’s a part of their life’s work.
That type of dedication enhances TMNA’s dedication to serving to the planet with a give attention to 4 key areas: carbon, water, supplies, and biodiversity. Together, it gives a office setting the place contemporary concepts, ingenuity, and innovation flourish to create a extra sustainable future.
When Passion and Purpose Collide
When Boswell had the chance to work at TMNA, he was immediately drawn to the corporate’s company ambiance and the environmental priorities and targets.
“I was excited by the prospect of leveraging my expertise and enthusiasm to contribute to Toyota’s environmental leadership and direction,” he says.
Boswell’s work over the previous seven years has supported and additional pushed TMNA’s environmental efforts, significantly on the carbon precedence problem.
“We lead development for Toyota’s strategy to comply with many different environmental regulations our vehicles face, including greenhouse gas and zero-emissions vehicle regulations,” he says. “We work closely with multiple different areas of the company to make sure our product plan is optimized to meet the requirements we face while balancing the needs of our customers.”
Like Boswell, Nikki Tanzer’s ardour for environmental efforts began lengthy earlier than she joined Toyota Texas (TMMTX).
“My love for conservation came from books I read as I was growing up,” says Tanzer, a senior environmental specialist. “My ‘dreams’ were about the great scientists and researchers in Africa. I had a fascination for seeing the African bush.”
Today, Tanzer performs a key position serving to to deal with the corporate’s 4 precedence points and striving to lower its environmental influence whereas selling sustainability all through the group.
“A typical day for me includes managing water permits, overseeing the ISO 14001 management system and coordinating wildlife habitat projects,” she says. “I also provide support for the day-to-day operations of these activities to ensure compliance and sustainability objectives are achieved.”
In addition to her obligations, Tanzer can also be the chairperson of the TMMTX chapter of Toyota Environmental Resources for Responsible Actions (TERRA), a enterprise partnering group (BPG) that focuses on environmental actions. She’s additionally the lead individual for TMMTX’s Harmony with Nature Wildlife Habitat Conservation initiatives, in addition to for the group’s Earth Month actions.
“I am proud to be a part of a company that prioritizes sustainability and environmental stewardship,” says Tanzer, who’s labored at Toyota for 11 years. “Toyota’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainability aligns perfectly with my own values and beliefs. I am excited to be able to contribute to these efforts and help ensure that our operations meet all necessary environmental compliance requirements.”
Sparking Innovative Thinking
While some TMNA workers engaged on environmental groups have had a ardour for environmental efforts since childhood, others developed an affinity for inexperienced initiatives extra just lately.
“My interest in environmental work really started when I had the opportunity to become the product planner for Prius about 9 years ago,” says Barbie Liang, a enterprise growth supervisor, electrical automobile charging options at TMNA.
Liang loved sharing the advantages of the fuel-efficient hybrid automobile and the way she didn’t want to alter her driving habits in any respect.
“It has become my mission to educate anyone willing to listen how the transition to alternative-fuel vehicles can fit into their daily life,” says Liang, who’s labored at TMNA for 13 years.
Educating and enlightening individuals on eco-conscious developments makes her job significant, says Liang.
“As a part of my role, I have the opportunity to help support initiatives tied to Toyota’s ‘Empact’ vision in which we are working to address [electric vehicle] charging equity in underserved communities,” she says.
And her zeal for schooling doesn’t cease there. For Earth Month, Liang taught her two younger sons about the place their meals comes from.
“The impact their food sources have on the environment is important to me and my family,” Liang says. “We are a big gardening family and have plans to celebrate Earth Month by refreshing our garden beds.”
Merging Nature and Manufacturing
Although Lisa Chiffolo, an environmental engineer at TMNA, has been a self-proclaimed longtime “tree hugger,” the eight-year TMNA veteran by no means imagined that her enthusiasm for the setting would contribute to her present place on the firm.
“I honestly never anticipated being fortunate enough to secure a role that provided such an opportunity each day,” she says.
Chiffolo’s important position focuses on carbon and supplies enhancements and biodiversity enhancements. She’s additionally the founding father of the TERRA Georgetown, Kentucky, chapter and at present serves because the communications chair.
“Creating spaces for people to experience and enjoy nature, especially through youth outreach, is the most gratifying aspect of my job,” Chiffolo says. “I have been most impacted by individuals who tell me stories of how their first field trip to a nature trail was on Toyota property and now they come back with their families to experience the landscape.”
Proud Stewards for the Planet
TMNA’s ongoing efforts of making a optimistic influence on the planet, society and their enterprise is what makes some workers on the environmental groups thrilled to lend their experience and ranging ability units.
“When I look at how Toyota approaches the challenge of reducing carbon emissions, I am proud of how impactful Toyota is in using multiple vehicle technologies to impact carbon reductions while also being able to provide our customers with choices to fit their varying needs,” says Boswell.
Tanzer provides, “I take pride in being part of a company that is working with others on some of the negative impact on the environment. Together, we can make a positive impact on our planet and work towards a more sustainable future.”
