Terrasmart shepherds the growth of future leaders
From English as a second language (ESL) initiated wage transparency to pipeline advancement, Terrasmart is building a thriving culture of changemakers. Our commitment to shepherding the growth of future leaders in PV manufacturing is done in part by increasing diversity and inclusion.
The driving force behind our success is led by team members, like Greta Urbanek, who oversees the operations of the 80-person team at the Steger Manufacturing facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Greta Urbanek joined Terrasmart in 2016 with an extensive background in social work and counseling. Bringing into her leadership role her passion for elevating people, she has built a diverse and inclusive workplace where women and underrepresented minorities are valued and respected.
She recently answered a few questions on how she helps Terrasmart increase its competitiveness through an inclusive manufacturing environment.
- When you started at Terrasmart, what stood out for you most?
Urbanek. First, when I looked around, I saw the degree to which solar is a male-oriented industry and how few people of color were holding leadership positions – at least on the production floor. I also saw tremendous opportunities to support our employees, the majority of which were from African American, Hispanic, and Latino backgrounds, to have more of a voice.
Every day, my drive is to ensure that our production team is heard – that our members are cared for, and given the utmost support for growth.
- How did you promote and develop benchmarks for diversity?
Urbanek. I came in at administration and saw an opportunity to onboard more women and bring a diversity of talent to Terrasmart’s manufacturing operation.
One of my first initiatives was to bring women of all different cultures onto the production floor. For a while, women were mostly only in the assembly area. Driving this diversity brought a whole new mix of skillset and mindsets to the team.
- Can you tell us about your work in pipeline advancement?
Urbanek. Promoting a diversity of talent into leadership positions has been a big drive. Today, we spend a lot of time attracting people of different cultures, ethnicities, and genders to leadership positions.
Since Terrasmart is also known for retaining its employees long-term, we’re looking to hire and foster pipeline advancement in an atmosphere that fully reflects our staff. Several African American, Hispanic, and female team members now fill key leadership roles.
- What hurdles have you overcome to ensure inclusivity for your team?
Urbanek. First and foremost, language and learning for all team members is essential for safety, which is why communicating with our staff in their primary language is a priority. We use an interpreter in all meetings and trainings to allow everyone to understand critical matters, as well as advance and achieve their goals.
I’m committed to ensuring that our people on the floor are not lost in the mix, especially our ESL individuals. That’s why all of my documentation is in English and Spanish. We’ve also added bilingual pay rates for transparency, fairness, and equality. All of these measures contribute to them knowing how important they are to Terrasmart.
As a testament to her work Urbanek’s initiatives to promote from within focus on communication and invest in training. Terrasmart has been awarded the “Top Workplaces Award” by the Cincinnati Enquirer for five consecutive years.
Of this incredible accomplishment, Urbanek notes, “You can’t say that if you don’t represent.”
Read part two of How Terrasmart fosters a mission-aligned, diverse, and inclusive workplace by Terrasmart’s Sr. Director of HR, KC Rose.
