NWRA expands staff to support diversity efforts in the waste industry

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, has hired Ece Cetin as its manager of industry diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), education and database.

“We must continue to lead on efforts that increase diversity and expand opportunities for our industry workforce,” says Darrell Smith, NWRA president and CEO. “I am pleased Ece will help us attract new talent and expand our efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive industry. This also includes developing and supporting education programming that makes our industry stronger.”

According to a news release from the NWRA, in addition to developing the association’s DEI program, Cetin will work on its education program and maintain the database.

Originally hailing from Istanbul, Turkey, Cetin earned her bachelor’s degree in American culture and literature and her master’s degree in strategic communication management. She started her career as an English instructor at some of the most respected universities. She then managed education projects and marketing initiatives for a private company in Europe before moving to the United States. Since 2016, she has planned and executed events, created marketing campaigns and designed education programs for nongovernmental organizations, private companies and educational institutions in the Washington area.

“I am ready to help NWRA support a workforce that continues to work hard for its customers while being more reflective of the communities it serves,” Cetin says. “As an ardent advocate of culturally responsive business practices and lifelong learning, I aspire to create meaningful projects that can help support the waste and recycling industry.”