MARINA McCoy
27 | Waste Free Earth | Founder/CEO
Residence: Burlington
Career highlight(s): The career highlights I am most proud of is continuously being able to inspire others to reduce their impact, either that be through zero waste living, activism, renewable energy, you name it. My why is to empower others so that, together, we have the courage to reach our full potential. By choosing to lead through example and inspiration, instead of telling people what should be doing, leads to higher success rates and a much more driven and passionate team.
Another career highlight I am proud of is my company's and I resiliency throughout the pandemic. We lost all of our clients since we were in the event industry. We worked extremely hard to lock in $300,000 worth of proposals for 2020 to have it all be canceled to keep our communities safe. However, we put our heads down and quite frankly came out more creative than ever. We have launched multiple new programs to continue our mission to make zero waste education more accessible to any type of business wanting to reduce their impact.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes sometimes stretching myself too thin. Still, I love giving back to my community by either volunteering, buying locally sourced food, supporting small businesses, mentoring students, and always being open to lending a hand when I can.
My volunteering consists of volunteering 2-3 times a month at Feeding Chittenden, our local Food Shelf in Burlington. I co-host Community Green Ups with my pal Ken from Planet Pack, where we help keep Vermont parks clean once a month by picking up litter with other community members. I co-lead a virtual book club called Eco Book Club, where we read books about environmental activism and outdoor adventure. I also launched an international platform called the Wild Womxn Network (WWN.)
I volunteer my time at WWN by running the platform and monitoring the group discussions about sustainability, sensuality, social justice, outdoor activities, and so much more.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by how freaking AWESOME IT IS! I LOVE everything about Vermont, access to local food, the outdoors, a strong sense of community, the overall quirkinesses vibe that Vermont has. I also grew up in Rutland, so being close to family was a huge motivator to move back.
Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is knowing that we are helping save the planet while also inspiring others to create change. I love when people share with me their recent habit changes towards a more zero waste lifestyle, it warms my hearts and reminds me there is still hope.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is actually a handful of people since they all add something different that helps makes me a better leader. Sarah from the Small Business Council, the team at VCET, Byron Brates from E-Z Probate, the team at CWE Vermont, and many more. I really can't choose just one since all of them have played a pivotal role in my success.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is admitting when you are wrong, ASAP. Take accountability for your actions so you don't make them again.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that my brother and I love to interpret dance to songs whenever we are together, no matter if it is a public place or not.
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are passionate, optimistic, quirky.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is a cabin right on the shores of a body of water. I love lake life!
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is anything outdoors! Hiking, biking, paddleboarding, nature walks, all the good stuff.
Favorite Super Hero and why: My favorite super hero is my Dad.
Favorite Social Media and why: My favorite social media is Linkedin since it is mainly filled with my professional network and the industry news!
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with is Simon Sinek.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support is continuing to combat the waste epidemic. Not just because that is my chosen career path but because of the increasing rate of Super Fund sites near trash incinerators that operate in low-income communities, contaminating their soil and water. Which in turn, leads to higher cancer rates and other severe illnesses.
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend: The song on my playlist I would be embarrassed to tell my best friend is Cruise by Florida Georgia Line
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years, I'd like to set the new standard for how businesses operate from a zero wase standpoint, helping them eliminate waste from the source while inspiring others to do the same. Ideally, we would be reaching hundreds of new businesses every year through our Zero Waste Kickstart program.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? The career goals I'd like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years are, I would like Waste Free Earth to be known as the go-to company for all things zero waste. While also continually building out a socially responsible company where my employees are taken care of.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? My community service hasn't changed all that much due to the pandemic. I still volunteer at Feeding Chittenden at least 2-3 times a month, I co-host Community Green Ups (socially distanced,) and I was already co-leading a virtual book club, so not all that much! I am very thankful for that.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed drastically. We lost all of our clients since we worked in the event industry; in total, it was over $300,000 worth of proposals. We don't expect live events to come back at the capacity they were at anytime soon, so we have made a more permanent pivot.