Finding My Leadership Voice: What I Wish I had Learned Earlier in My Career
Fawn Bergen
April 23, 2019
Over the course of my 20-year career, finding my voice has been a bumpy road — it's not something that came naturally to me. Earlier in my career, I operated under the assumption that my leadership voice was not valid until I had more years of experience, more people standing behind me, or a more senior-level management position. It was important to me that I wasn't just a loud voice, but one that contributed in a meaningful way to whatever project I was working on. I see now that this belief limited my potential to grow professionally and limited my opportunities to share my ideas and demonstrate my ability to be a leader from any position.
While I cannot discount the role of "with age comes wisdom," there have been a few significant inflection points in my journey to find my voice. Some of these have been working for some amazing managers who believed in my potential and provided me with opportunities to learn and grow.
As a female engineer, an important part of finding my own voice has also been through the support and empowerment I have found in other women. Finding this support and inspiration can be difficult. Events like NAEM's Women's Leadership Roundtable have been integral to my success. I'm thrilled to be co-chairing this event, taking place in June, that is bringing together a group of environmental, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S) women to help grow our network, strengthen our business acumen and other leadership qualities, and empower and inspire all of us to find our voice and do amazing things.
This journey was not always an easy one for me, but its mix of positive and negative experiences (thankfully more good than bad) has brought me to where I am today. It's still a work in progress, but I'm grateful for those leaders who have given me those opportunities to find my voice and the women who have supported me directly or indirectly as leadership role models. I hope that I can continue to pay it forward to other women that are working to find their leadership voice.
NAEM's 2019 Women's Leadership Roundtable takes place in Savannah, Ga., from June 25-27, 2019.
About the Author
Fawn Bergen
Intel Corporation
Fawn Bergen is a senior-level environmental professional with close to 30 years of experience in environmental sustainability and compliance. She currently leads Intel Corporation’s Global Sustainable Operations group. In her role, Fawn leads implementation of Intel’s sustainability goals across their manufacturing and operations around the world, including Intel’s commitments to reach net zero GHG emissions, net positive water, and zero waste to landfill.
Fawn’s 28 years of experience in the environmental field has spanned multiple industries and specialties, including air quality engineering, environmental engineering, global strategy, and environmental management roles. Prior to leading Intel’s sustainability group, she led climate change, water stewardship, and corporate air programs globally – developing the tech industry’s first net positive water and watershed restoration program.
Additionally, Fawn serves as 2nd Vice Chair on the National Association of EHS & Sustainability Management (NAEM) Board of Directors and Vice Chair on the SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortia (SCC) Governing Council. She holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and an MBA, and lives in the Portland, Oregon area.
Fawn’s 28 years of experience in the environmental field has spanned multiple industries and specialties, including air quality engineering, environmental engineering, global strategy, and environmental management roles. Prior to leading Intel’s sustainability group, she led climate change, water stewardship, and corporate air programs globally – developing the tech industry’s first net positive water and watershed restoration program.
Additionally, Fawn serves as 2nd Vice Chair on the National Association of EHS & Sustainability Management (NAEM) Board of Directors and Vice Chair on the SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortia (SCC) Governing Council. She holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and an MBA, and lives in the Portland, Oregon area.