PLASTICS member companies have a lot of bright people focused on achieving and promoting sustainability. Tiffany Fisher of Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) is one of those people. As Americas Sustainability Advisor, Tiffany is responsible for supporting CPChem sustainability initiatives across the region.
PLASTICS member companies have a lot of bright people focused on achieving and promoting sustainability. Tiffany Fisher of Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) is one of those people. As Americas Sustainability Advisor, Tiffany is responsible for supporting CPChem sustainability initiatives across the region.
“I oversee the company’s internal sustainability initiatives with a focus in the Americas,” said Tiffany. “My work varies from guiding our Operation Clean Sweep® program, to writing our annual sustainability report, to supporting regional efforts in our three focus areas: Climate Change, Product Sustainability and Circularity, and Social Responsibility.”
Tiffany—one of many environmentally-conscious people who have discovered how they can contribute to sustainability through careers at companies like CPChem—developed her passion for making a difference in college. “I’ve always enjoyed tackling challenges and have been passionate about protecting the environment and social action,” she said. “As a chemical engineering student at the University of Kansas (KU) I was introduced to the principle of sustainability through the KU Biodiesel Initiative. We collected used cooking oil generated on campus and produced fuel for the campus buses and lawncare equipment.”
Fascinated by possibility
Tiffany also led efforts for KU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), which included water access and sanitation projects in Bolivia and Uganda. She has continued volunteer efforts professionally with EWB in Houston, traveling to Peru to implement sanitation and structural projects this past year.” “These experiences exposed me to a medley of opportunities to make positive impacts in a career within the manufacturing industry,” she recalled.
Grateful to have found a career that leverages both her problem-solving skills and her passion for sustainability, Tiffany is excited to be part of the rapidly expanding landscape of sustainability. “I’m energized by the challenge of supplying the world a high-performing product while leaving the lightest footprint,” she says. “The benefits and efficiencies of CPChem products are helping to improve quality of life and achieve a lower carbon future.”
Focused on the future
Tiffany is also vocal about inviting other members of her generation to join her in the manufacturing industry and become part of the sustainability solution. “Plastic is a highly engineered and technical solution that plays a role in critical applications, such as medical devices and food preservation, while also leaving a lower carbon footprint than alternative materials. We need bright minds to continue advancing the field toward circularity and stop plastic pollution in the environment.”
And those minds are out there. Tiffany already knows plenty of young peers from PLASTICS member companies through the association’s Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) initiatives. “FLiP offers a great opportunity to network, participate in a formal mentorship program, and learn from other professionals. In the FLiP Mentorship Program, Tiffany had the benefit of learning from Robert Render, Business Development Manager for Sustainability with Ravago.
All about solutions
Where many people are focused on changing public perceptions about plastic, Tiffany prefers to concentrate on a cooperative effort to simply do things better. “To me, one of the industry’s largest challenges is to produce high-performing products that meet the needs of a growing global population, while improving waste management infrastructure and circularity. We will need people who carry a passion for sustainability and a drive to collaborate across value chains, industries, and around the globe.”
And how much faith does Tiffany put in plastic products? As a rock climber—plenty. “My 70-meter rope, quick-draws, harness, and helmet are high-performing and lightweight tools that—thanks to the plastics industry—I can rely on to keep me safe while I explore the outdoors!”
PLASTICS and the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Committee are devoted to supporting and encouraging the next generation of plastics leaders who will play a crucial role in the innovation, technology and future of the plastics industry. FLiP’s mission is to provide young professionals under the age of 40 the exposure, education and resources they need to build lifelong careers in plastics. Want to join? Want to get your employees involved? Email: [email protected]
