Meet Gwen Lynn | Environmental Safety Scientist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gwen Lynn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gwen, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
You don’t want them to like you. You want them to respect you. Carry yourself worthy of their respect at all times and offer that respect FIRST. It’s a mutual understanding.

Prepare for the worst mentally and physically. If you have your game plan A thru Z, it’s a minor tweak or modification when you have to go into extra innings. You ready.

Be nice cause you never know when you may need help. So don’t burn that bridge!

As a Scientist, use facts, never assume. And keep that book, laptop, or written document handy and at the ready, just in case!

Finally, dream big and keep trying. Our ancestors did dream and I’m here to prove it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In A Green Minute (IAGM) was born out of necessity. Having relocated to Alabama to assist my Mom and Dad, I found few professional science opportunities, therefore, I had to make my own. Someone once said it’s literally a waste of time to be an expert in something yet be unable to explain a concept to a 5 year old, or a non scientific person. You should be able to explain that concept in 60 seconds or less. Thus, In A Green Minute was born.

Working mostly in the New York and New Jersey areas initially, I eventually found projects in the south. Practicing Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) predominantly in Covid Compliance, construction and film production safety is the majority of my billing revenue. I love what I do. Sean Patrick Flanery, a Texas Actor once said safety is safety. It’s the same everywhere and he is correct. The industry may be different, i.e. aviation safety, but the basic principles of approach and risk management are exactly the same. The pandemic really showed me EHS and it’s vast application. Having a Masters Degree in EHS we studied respirators, ventilation and indoor air quality. Virtual training became a mainstay for IAGM due to the demand for knowledge in n95, kn95, respirator protection factors and general mask protocols. Who knew??

Having worked in Europe, China and the USA as a Environmental Scientist AND being a black female sets me apart. If I had the opportunities my male associate CEOs, Vice Presidents and Senior Managers (some having a Bachelors Degree) have had, who knows where I’d be. However I take the opportunities given to me to learn and to keep reaching for those before me who dreamed but weren’t allowed to reach.

Finally, I’m writing my first book! Guy Walton, Meteorologist and I are working on a project and we can not WAIT to tell you about it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s a good diner, 2nd Avenue and 61st Street, NYC. Some good pancakes and the HUGE paper version of the Sunday New York Times. Take the cross town bus to Central Park and relax. Maybe take in a free museum or the NY Public Library in 5th Avenue.. again free. Monday morning, people gaze down on Wall Street. See the best business fashion and accessories there. Head downtown to the East Village and take in the free street music and art wares for sale. Find a nice, jumping dance hall for a few beats before going back to The Pods, my favorite eco-friendly hotel.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Dr. Anne Birdsong, Medical Advisor at Mother’s and Other’s For Clean Air (MOCA) whose mission is to highlight the common environmental effort of clean indoor AND outdoor air for all. I Chair the MOCA Board with Laura Turner Seydel who helps drive organization in seeking air quality hygiene and social equity.

Ian Astbury, Lead Singer & Percussionist for The Cult. Sincere respect for the natural environment, diversity of species and our mutual admiration realized in song. Fellow lover of wolves.

Catherine Flowers who I had the opportunity to meet at the Climate Reality Conference, hosted by Former Vice President, Al Gore. AMAZING advocate domestic and internationally for women, the environment and social justice.

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