The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) Women鈥檚 Council announces the recipients of its 2025鈥�2026 scholarship program, recognizing ten deserving individuals for their academic achievements, professional promise, and commitment to the waste and recycling industry.
Since the program鈥檚 inception in 2009, the Women鈥檚 Council has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in the field. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, $55,000 was awarded this year to support the continued education and growth of these future industry leaders.
This year, the Council is honored to recognize two outstanding individuals as recipients of the Mickey & Ellen Flood Foundation Scholarship, supported by the Detachable Container Association (DCA):
| Adrienne Groves | Recology |
| Thalia Telles | Wastequip LLC (Amrep Inc. Division) |
The Mickey & Ellen Flood Foundation Scholarship was established by DCA to honor the legacy of Mickey Flood and his wife Ellen, co-founders of the NWRA Women鈥檚 Council. Each recipient receives a $7,500 award for their demonstrated commitment to excellence and professional advancement in the waste and recycling industry.
In addition to the Flood Foundation recipients, the NWRA Women鈥檚 Council is pleased to award scholarships to the following individuals:
| Brenda Aguilar | Johns Disposal |
| Alyssa Berry | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Rebecca Cheal | Waste Connections of Canada |
| Emiliana Medina | Coastal Waste & Recycling, Inc. |
| Cielo Rodriguez Perez | Wastequip LLC (Amrep Inc. Division) |
| Blake Rogers | Coastal Waste & Recycling, Inc. |
| Georgia South | Waste Connections of Canada |
| Natalia Watson | Coastal Waste & Recycling, Inc. |
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to support these exceptional individuals as they pursue their academic and professional goals,鈥� said Tammy Holtzman, co-chair of the Women鈥檚 Council Scholarship Committee and district manager at Waste Connections. 鈥淭heir drive and passion reflect the bright future of our industry.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to see such dedicated individuals already making their mark in our industry,鈥� added Faith Zydowsky, vice president at Sierra Container Group and co-chair of the Scholarship Committee. 鈥淭hese recipients are committed to growing their careers, and we鈥檙e proud to support their continued development.鈥�
Each year, the Women鈥檚 Council awards scholarships to women and men who are employees or dependents of employees at NWRA member companies. Recipients must use their education to either grow within the waste and recycling industry or pursue a new career in the field.
鈥淭his scholarship program, championed by the Women鈥檚 Council, is a great example of how NWRA and its members continue to give back to the industry,鈥� said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRA president and CEO. 鈥淚t is very rewarding to be able to invest in our industry鈥檚 future by supporting the scholastic growth of these talented, ambitious future waste and recycling leaders.鈥�
The NWRA Women鈥檚 Council extends its deepest gratitude to the generous supporters who made these scholarships possible. Donor organizations include: American Waste Control, Inc.; BTR; Coastal Waste & Recycling Inc.; Detachable Container Association (DCA), DCA 鈥� Mickey & Ellen Flood Foundation; Petersen Industries, Inc.; Rumpke Waste & Recycling; Schaefer Systems International, Inc.; Sierra Container Group; Waste Connections, Inc.;and WM. Their ongoing commitment to education and workforce development is helping pave the way for future industry leaders.