National Women’s History Month

In honour of National Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting some of the influential women here at Vanderlande. From their education, to their career path, and lessons learned along the way, we want to recognise their journey and share the positive impact they’ve had on Vanderlande.

One of these influential women is Jasmine Green, a key figure within the Airports Engineering team. After graduating from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Jasmine spent the first four years of her post-grad studies as a controls engineer and manufacturing engineer for two separate companies. Eventually, her professional path led her to Vanderlande.

Her start at Vanderlande was rather unexpected. She had no real knowledge of the company and initially believed her interview would be the first of many in her job search. But her unassuming beginnings at Vanderlande have turned into a career that has broadened her knowledge as an engineer and transformed her skills as a leader.

From the very first interview, she felt at ease within the welcoming culture of Vanderlande.
The previous companies Jasmine worked at: “were much larger and I felt like a number, like a little clog in the wheel – and this place was much smaller, so it felt like you could get to know everybody in the office,” she says.

Jasmine started at Vanderlande as a controls engineer. After spending a few years getting to know and understand her role, as well as lending a helping hand to others, her manager asked her: “what is your goal?”

On a whim, Jasmine aimed high and responded: “I’d like to become a controls project lead.”
She was immediately given the challenge. While Jasmine was originally uncertain of what she had let herself in for, she put in the work. “I went to site and was nervous, but slowly and surely learned what I was supposed to be doing,” she says. “I survived and kept getting more projects – succeeding and learning from those – and getting better and better.”

Since then, Jasmine’s managers have trusted her to meet and overcome every challenge she’s been presented with. As Vanderlande has grown, so has she. Throughout her time at the company, Jasmine has been a controls engineer, a controls project lead, an integration manager, and has stepped in to take over various projects for other leaders.

“I’m very lucky that I’ve had managers that have always looked at me and said ‘yes, you can rise to this challenge’,” admits Jasmine.

Richard Smith, VP of NA Airports Engineering & IT, says one of her strengths is: “how she approaches challenges in an open-minded way and is always driving for the right solution. Jasmine has helped Vanderlande’s fast-growing business by setting high standards, ensuring new members of the team get a great start when they join us, and challenging herself and those around her, including me, to be the best we can be.”

Now, almost 11 years into her career at Vanderlande, she is one of five Engineering Project Managers (EPM) in the Airports Engineering group of North America (Marietta). In her role, she is responsible for overseeing the PLE group for Airports Engineering.

When asked which of her traits have made others come to rely on her throughout her professional journey, Jasmine responds without hesitation: “I’m a doer.”

For Jasmine, there have been many times throughout her career where she’s been uncertain and wondered, “What have I gotten myself into?” But for her: “You put one foot forward and try to learn something new. I’ve been afraid before, but that’s never stopped me from trying, and failure is a great teacher as long as you learn from it.”

While Jasmine’s managers and her peers appreciate her drive to know and do what is right, she also attributes certain areas of her professional growth to those she works with: “To me, it is important to hold true to the idea that it’s people, not process and tools. We are on the same team, which creates a safe base if somebody knows you see them as a colleague and you’re in this together.” She attests to the “it’s the people who matter” culture of Vanderlande that she embraced when she started, and now as it evolves, she strives to hold on to that ideal.

Ultimately, Jasmine has no regrets, only lessons learned, and believes that her path has led her to where she is supposed to be. Her journey at Vanderlande has been one of challenge, trust and action. In the end, her desire to keep climbing is what empowers her.