Meet Sara Osorio, an Educator in the Women in Print Community. Sara, who works as the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance, is based in Gainesville, FL. A specialist in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which regulates cradle-to-grave management of hazardous waste, and the complexities of EHS, Sara is also a skilled bilingual communicator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University. Below, Sara shares with us how she entered the printing industry, and why she’s passionate about educating about EHS compliance, policies, and trends, and why STEM matters for girls and women.

Do you know (or are you) a woman in the printing industry who is a Leader, an Educator, an Innovator, or a Rising Star that should be featured on our website and in our newsletter? If so, please contact us. We’d love to meet her!

How and when did you enter or become associated with the printing industry? What was your “Aha!” moment when you knew print was the right field for you?

I am new to the printing industry and have been working at my new position for over six months. It has been a wonderful learning experience. I love that I can apply a lot of my previous experience to my current position, as there are many similarities between my previous responsibilities and current ones. Before joining PRINTING United Alliance, I had no idea just how vast the industry is and what an important role it plays in our everyday lives. My ‘Aha!’ moment was when I learned that the print industry is mostly made up of small businesses. My parents have a small business and I know firsthand how difficult it can be to be heard, so knowing that I can be a representative for thousands of small businesses makes my job very fulfilling.

What industry education issue(s) are you most passionate about, and what are the key takeaways on that topic that are important for women in print to know?

I have a very strong passion for educating the printing industry and the public on sustainability issues. As part of my job, I write articles, present webinars, and give in-person talks on a variety of topics, but sustainability is by far my favorite issue to speak on. I think the main takeaway that women in print should know is that sustainability has become a critical issue for business and now is the perfect time for women to take charge and lead the way at their own organizations to implement sustainable practices.

Women in print are busy individuals. Why should they take the extra time to learn about specialty areas of education? How can increasing their knowledge base on this topic help advance their careers?

As I mentioned above, sustainability is a very fast-moving topic, especially in the regulatory landscape. Sustainability is quickly shifting from a nice thing to do to a MUST thing to do. However, beyond the regulatory landscape, consumers are becoming more and more sustainably conscious of their purchases and overall decision making. I am a firm believer in taking initiative in the workplace and this is an amazing opportunity for women to step into leadership roles and oversee the sustainability transition of their organizations. This will not only ensure compliance with the new laws being passed, but also promote a positive image of their organization to the public.

What educational resources do you recommend that will help women stay up-to-date on the topics in which you specialize?

The Government Affairs team here at the Alliance puts a big emphasis on education and outreach for our members. For anyone who wants to stay informed on not just sustainability topics, but also Environmental, Health, and Safety issues, I would suggest looking through the First To Knows (FTKs) posted on printing.org and joining the EHS listserv to receive emails on recently published articles, upcoming webinars, and updates on all these topics.

During your time working in and around the printing industry, what is your perception of the industry as a place where women can feel included and thrive? How can women best support one another to find their tribe and succeed in the printing industry?

Since joining the printing industry, I have nothing but good things to say. I have felt very welcome and seeing that we have women in key positions at PRINTING United Alliance shows me how committed the industry is to supporting women and including us in all aspects of the industry. As women, we must always remember to support each other by highlighting our achievements and continuing to strive to be leaders within the industry.