January 2025 – Meet Stephanie “Steph” Heldt-Sheller, CHMM, Senior EHS Manager at The Greenbrier Companies HQ in Lake Oswego, OR
PERSONAL
What is your educational background? I hold a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Bowling Green State University and have been a Certified Hazardous Material Manager (CHMM) since 2005.
What drew you to work in the environmental sector? I grew up in Toledo, OH, where the rust belt meets the motor belt, fostering a deep appreciation for manufacturing and a hardworking blue-collar community. At the same time, life on a lake nurtured my love for nature, exploring forests and waterfronts, and deepened my commitment to protecting ecosystems. These two passions—industry and the natural world—shaped my belief in the need for balance, making environmental work in the industrial sector an ideal fit.
In a word, describe yourself. Dedicated.
What are 3 interesting facts about you that most people don’t know? I lived in Australia for 6 months in college. I am a three-time Hall of Famer and a two-time All-American in Track and field. My first motorcycle was a Honda Twinstar.
How do you balance your career and family? Hold realistic goals and expectations and aim to be fully present whether that is during home/family time or work time. I also maximize the use of pre-made meals, taking naps when my youngest naps, and putting my phone on silent!
ON BUSINESS
What drew you to your company initially? There were many reasons I was initially drawn to Greenbrier, but the foremost was my hiring manager, Dave Harvey. We’ve worked “around” each other for about 13 years, sharing best practices, supporting each other’s EHS initiatives, and serving as sounding boards during professionally challenging times. At Greenbrier, Dave has built a strong foundation of successful EHS programs and developed a skilled team driving excellence in safety, sustainability, and compliance. His leadership fosters innovation, and it’s an honor to work for and alongside him; he is a true mentor to all! Another key reason Greenbrier appealed to me was the opportunity to apply my 23 years of expertise in managing multi-site environmental affairs both nationally and internationally while being based in beautiful Portland. I hope to bring significant horsepower to Greenbrier’s existing EHS engines. This role also keeps me connected to the ongoing Portland Harbor Superfund activities, which I find particularly fascinating and exciting (though I know an unpopular opinion!).
What are three words to describe your company? Forward-thinking. Principled. Resilient.
What is the favorite part about working for The Greenbrier Companies? I’ve only been with The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. for four months, but one of the things I’ve loved most is getting to know and collaborate with talented, passionate team members across the entire Company. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and positivity not only gets things done but makes the process fun and rewarding. Plus, how cool is it that our CEO is a woman? It’s truly inspiring and empowering!
How has your company helped you in your career development?In these first few months, the company has been super supportive in bringing me up to speed. They’ve provided the time and space to immerse myself in the company’s culture, build relationships with key people, and gain a deeper understanding of our environmental history and specifics to our railcar manufacturing & repair operations. This thoughtful approach to onboarding is key to building a strong foundation that will enable me to contribute meaningfully.
ON THE INDUSTRY
What has your involvement been with NEBC? I have attended many technical conferences, including the Business & Environment Conference, and I was a speaker at the Managing Stormwater conference in Portland some years ago.
What is the best professional advice you’ve received? You don’t need to have all the answers memorized, but you do need to know how to find them quickly.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to work in the industry? For someone looking to enter the EHS field in the manufacturing sector, I’d recommend spending the first few years mastering the fundamentals. This could be through roles at an EHS consulting firm or as an entry-level in-house EHS technician. Once they’ve built a solid foundation, they’ll likely discover a specific area of EHS that fulfills, excites, and challenges them to which they gravitate. From there, they can focus on developing their expertise and building a career path in that direction.
What trends do you see relevant to your professional area? Emerging contaminants, climate change, and environmental risk management strategy.