Staff Feature

Welcome: Karen Hagerman

January 4, 2021

GreenBlue is pleased to announce that Karen Hagerman has joined the team as a Project Manager with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. 

 

What inspired you to work in the sustainability field?

I’ve always felt happiest when I’m near water, and I’ve had the fortune of living on five different beaches over the past decade. During that time, I started to notice trash (especially plastic) all over the beach and in the ocean. Once I became aware of it, I saw it everywhere. I call plastic pollution my gateway issue into sustainability. My interest snowballed from there to looking at the larger picture of how we interact with materials and the environment. I wanted to learn all that I could and figure out what part I could play in finding solutions. Realizing my passion for sustainability, I left my career in the Marine Corps to pursue a degree in Sustainable Engineering, which led me to GreenBlue.

What do you hope to achieve at GreenBlue?

I hope to contribute to the impact that GreenBlue has on driving sustainable change. I want to help enhance the Collaboratives effort to engage more members and address emerging challenges. The SPC provides a unique opportunity to interact with all members of the value chain across different material types and industries. I hope to develop the Collaboratives program to leverage these interactions and amplify the SPC’s impact on material sustainability.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love being outdoors! Much of my time is spent running with my husband on the trails near our house or at the beach. When I have extended periods of free time, I love exploring National Parks and new trails. I also enjoy cycling, mountain biking, paddleboarding, and yoga. Other hobbies of mine include reading science fiction, cooking or baking creative plant-based recipes, board games with family, and many different types of art.

Happiness is…

Any moment that brings joy, but most often: exploring a new trail, sunrise on the beach, or a good cup of coffee.