Robin Wiener, the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) president, will receive the Great Lakes Regional L.A.K.E.S Award. The award, presented by the ReMA Great Lakes Regional affiliated chapters, was created to recognize a ReMA leader who has positively impacted their professional and personal communities. Robin Weiner is recognized for fostering knowledge, leading with integrity, and consistently striving for excellence while promoting the recycled materials industry. Established in 2024, this annual award will be given to individuals who are role models in their communities and professions, embodying the principles of leadership, achievement, knowledge, excellence, and service in all that they do. Wiener is recognized for her work as a leader in the industry and her support as a mentor to countless men and women in recycling.
"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be the first recipient of this award. I love our industry and all the people in it. I have been privileged to witness the growth of individuals at all levels of the business. This award is a wonderful opportunity to further showcase the important role all of us have in shaping the future of the recycled materials industry," said Wiener.
Wiener joined ReMA (formerly ISRI) in 1989, initially serving as a compliance coordinator, then as director of environmental compliance and assistant counsel. She was named the association's executive director in 1997. In March 2000, ReMA's board conferred on her the title of president.
As part of her role representing the recycled materials industry, Wiener serves on the boards of Keep America Beautiful and JASON Learning and is a member of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR)'s Electric, Electronic and EV Batteries Steering Committee. She is also a member of the U.S. Chamber, Association Committee of 100, and the Key Industry Associations Committee (KIAC) of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Over the years, she has also served on the boards of the Recycling Partnership, SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the National Recycling Council (NRC). For over 10 years, Wiener served as an appointee on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC-12), a joint advisory group of the White House U.S. Trade Representative's Office and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"Robin's commitment and passion for our industry and the trade association is unwavering," said Andrew Lincoln, ReMA Finance co-chair and one of the organizers for the Greats Lakes Regional. "Her voice and opinion are sought after by fellow associations and government agencies, and she is always advocating for the benefit of our members. For the inaugural L.A.K.E.S Award, I couldn't think of a better person who has been a champion for the recycled materials industry."
The award is presented annually during the Great Lakes Regional, which is hosted by the ReMA Michigan, Northern Ohio, Pittsburgh, Ohio Valley, and Empire chapters.
The 2024 award will be presented on August 29, 2024, as part of the 2024 Great Lakes Regional Conference.
