Linden Terpstra is an accomplished environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professional and passionate entrepreneur with expertise across the EHS world. After building a strong foundation in consulting, Linden later transitioned to experience life in industry, gaining valuable insights into electronics manufacturing and the budding battery recycling industries.
Linden currently serves as the founder and CEO of EHS Support Source, an interactive online platform and concierge service that makes it faster and easier for businesses to find and hire EHS third-party experts. EHS Support Source provides industry leaders with a resource to identify local services that align with their unique needs, vet potential providers’ past work performance on similar projects, and streamline the process to identify the most suitable resources.
For our latest Faces of EHS profile, we sat down with Linden to discuss her biggest influences in the industry, tips for successfully hiring EHS consultants, and making the case for EHS to leadership.
Q: How did you get your start in the field?
Throughout my journey in EHS, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous professionals who, like me, seemed to stumble into this field. After college, I decided to venture into the consulting world following several internships in industry. The prospect of “working for good” in an environmental consulting role appealed to me, but, if I am being honest, I had no idea what I was actually signing up for.
Little did I anticipate that this choice would lead me to gain experience across many industries and EHS subjects. While it’s natural to reflect on what could have been done differently, I must admit that starting my career in a consulting role and collaborating with some of the most seasoned EHS professionals in the U.S. has shaped my trajectory. The consulting environment allowed me to immerse myself in a wide range of topics and the pressure to deliver exceptional service compelled me to learn as quickly as possible. Overall, this journey has been instrumental in molding my career and broadening my knowledge base across diverse fields within the EHS domain.
Q: Who has been your biggest influence in the industry?
It is a challenging task to single out just one individual. Over the course of the past year, I have had the privilege of engaging with a diverse range of professionals within the EHS field —a number that easily exceeds 100. What struck me the most is how each of them brings a distinct perspective that contributes to what we do. Whether it involves embarking on entrepreneurial pursuits, providing essential industry support, or forging paths in their own right, I find so much value in recognizing and celebrating their respective journeys. Among these interactions, I hold a special regard for those that have evolved from mere acquaintances into genuine friendships. These individuals have broadened my outlook on EHS practices and in shaping the growth of EHS Support Source.
I must say that having strong leaders is particularly impactful. One person who holds a special place in my heart is Nicole Saniti at Trinity Consultants. Working under her guidance has been defining in my career, as she has consistently pushed me to grow in new ways and supported me in stepping out on my own. Her leadership style is built on trust and unwavering support, creating an environment where you know she’s there for you as long as you give your best effort. Witnessing Nicole’s ability to lead teams, provide exceptional service, and build a successful business through sheer excellence has been nothing short of inspiring.
Q: What’s your best mistake and what did you learn from it?
I really love how you framed this as a “best mistake” because you’re right, every experience is a chance to learn and grow. It’s rare that I see any situation as a mistake these days; though, I am happy to make a lot of them! We grow so much from every experience, especially the “negative” ones.
In a job interview I had some time ago, I was asked a similar question. The question hit close to home because, at the time, I had been in a toxic work environment where trust and support were nonexistent. I often wondered if taking the position was a huge mistake in my career, but, even in that difficult time, there were valuable lessons to be learned. Despite the work environment, I had the chance to learn, contribute, and collaborate on solving critical problems that impacted the organization every day. I learned a lot about myself. For the first time in my working life, I gained a clear sense of what fulfilled me at work and what I wanted to pursue next.
In fact, that challenging experience was the catalyst that inspired me to start EHS Support Source, which now feels like my calling. It’s incredible how life’s twists and turns can lead us to where we are meant to be. Looking back, I don’t see it as a mistake anymore; rather, it was a crucial steppingstone on my journey to finding my passion and purpose.
Q: What’s your favorite and least favorite part about working in the industry? Would you change anything?
Working in the EHS field has been a joy! There’s an endless array of things to learn, countless problems to tackle, and numerous ways to approach each challenge. Our goal is to protect people as much as we can. But the best part of it all is the opportunity to collaborate and learn from some immensely intelligent people, including those from different stakeholders within each company. It’s amazing to come together, analyze complex processes, and come up with unique solutions that benefit everyone involved.
In that spirit, the level of collaboration in the health and safety profession is inspiring. There’s a feeling that “we’re all in it together,” supporting and giving feedback to help each other perform at our best. I can’t get enough of learning from others who are equally passionate about EHS.
But, let’s face it, wearing so many hats and often being understaffed can be tough. It’s a recipe for burnout if we’re not careful. It’s essential to keep our team healthy and motivated so they can continue fighting the good fight for our organizations.
Q: What are your thoughts on safety culture? How can company leaders make safety a value within their organization?
Culture is the unspoken truth we all know and feel within an organization. It’s what shapes our priorities and actions, especially when it comes to leadership. If the higher-ups prioritize health and safety, the entire company will follow suit. It’s not enough for the CEO, COO, or plant manager to just send out occasional safety messages. They need to treat health and safety criteria as seriously as any other metric they track, like production, sales, quality, or spending. And it goes beyond just looking at total recordable incident rate (TRIR), which doesn’t paint the whole picture. We should also focus on leading indicators: How often do we have conversations about risk? How are risks being addressed? Are we following to mitigate risk when employees speak up? They should be just as involved in investigating high-risk near misses and incidents as they would be in resolving any production-impacting operational issue.
That said, it’s not just about top leadership. Frontline supervisors are the rockstars at our sites. They play a crucial role in ensuring that everyone does their job correctly and safely. To do this, they need to be well-versed in safety programs beyond what their employees know. That’s why we should invest in our frontline supervisors and involve them in program development as much as possible. When they have a say and are fully onboard, enforcing our programs becomes much more effective.
If you’re eager to learn more about shaping a safety-conscious culture, I highly recommend checking out “Safety Management: A Human Approach” by Dan Peterson. This book has provided me with invaluable insights. Overall, it’s about understanding that safety is not just a box to tick but a core value that should be woven into the fabric of the company.
Q: What safety concerns or issues do you think need more prioritization in EHS programs?
In the EHS profession, there is still a lot of emphasis on compliance, and, sure, it’s important. But what I’m noticing is that the whole field is shifting towards prioritizing risk more and more. When we analyze risk, whether it’s through numbers and data or just by looking at the situation, it helps us figure out where to focus our limited time and resources. It’s like having a roadmap that guides us to tackle the most critical areas. We all know that’s huge when you’re dealing with so many responsibilities.
It gives us a stronger case to present to the company leadership. When we can clearly show them the risks and the best ways to mitigate them, it becomes easier to advocate for EHS needs and get the support we need. It’s a win-win because, in the end, it’s not just about keeping the company safe from fines and penalties. It’s about protecting our employees and the environment in the best way possible.
Q: How will new safety technologies influence the work being done by EHS professionals?
It feels like the safety profession went through a significant drought in technology development, but now there’s an influx of new technologies hitting the market. Many of these technologies are quite disruptive, and since industries tend to move slowly, it might take some time for them to fully accept these changes. Nonetheless, I’m glad to see us moving in this direction.
I had the opportunity to meet with MakUSafe, an awesome safety technology company based in my home state of Iowa. They’ve developed wearable technology that monitors various risks workers face daily, such as noise, air quality, falls, and overexertion, among others. The data their devices provide to company leadership can help make better decisions to protect workers. I believe these types of technologies not only strengthen our pitch for more safety resources but also genuinely protect our workers.
Q: What are a few things you can do to have more success when hiring an EHS consultant?
Having worked in industry, I completely understand how overwhelming it can be to hire a consultant for a specific need. Sometimes, you have too many options to choose from, making it hard to decide. While other times, there just aren’t enough options, and you’re left unsure of where to start.
Regardless of where you find a consultant, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that they’re the right fit for your requirements:
- During the proposal process, don’t hesitate to ask them questions about your specific needs. This will help you gauge their level of experience and expertise on the topic you require assistance with.
- Request sample work products from similar projects they’ve done for other companies. Of course, it’s perfectly fine if they need to redact any client-specific information. This will give you a glimpse of the quality of their work and help you determine if it aligns with your expectations.
- Make it a point to reach out to at least three references from their past work on similar projects and industries, if possible. Having honest feedback from these references can make all the difference in making an informed decision.
I know this might sound like a lot of work, especially for smaller companies, but you’ll find that many larger companies follow these steps as part of their consultant vetting and request for proposal process. However, if you’re feeling pressed for time or overwhelmed, don’t worry! We’re here to help.
Q: What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of all the amazing individuals who fearlessly embrace their careers and lives each day. I see EHS professionals pushing their comfort zones, standing up for their beliefs, and taking on new challenges in uncharted, uncomfortable territories. They engage in strategic meetings, have difficult conversations with stakeholders, and start their own businesses. They choose the difficult road because it’s the right thing to do. Working with such high-caliber individuals inspires and motivates me every single day. It’s an honor to be on this journey with them as we strive to make a positive impact in the EHS world.
Q: Do you have any advice for people entering the profession?
Be open to meeting people and new opportunities, never shy away from asking questions, and always ask what you can be doing for others. EHS is such a vast and diverse field, and the best way to learn is to dive right in and explore.
Get a wide range of experiences in your first few years and network with as many individuals as you can. Dip your toes into air permitting, waste management, process safety, fleet management, industrial hygiene—explore everything! Gain experience in different industries and see how they implement EHS programs. You might eventually specialize in a specific field, but early on, keep those doors open by constantly learning and embracing new topics.
I’ll also admit that it’s not always easy to ask questions, especially when you’re young and feeling inexperienced. I’ve been there, starting out as a young female in a technical space. It took me some time to overcome that fear and embrace my curiosity fully. But asking questions, understanding the processes you’re involved in, and engaging with stakeholders from all corners of the organization will benefit you. Not only will you become more effective at what you do, but you’ll also build genuine, trusting connections that can become your mentors and cheerleaders throughout your career.
Lastly, everything we do is about perspective. It is a challenging field, and you will encounter many hurdles and roadblocks along the way. Keep in mind why you entered this field in the first place. Focus less on what others can do for you and try to find ways where you can serve your peers and the profession: that is where much of your career joy and fulfillment will come from.