Gretchen Hancock, Leader, EHS Governance; General Electric Co.
Gretchen leads a globally-distributed team of EHS audit leaders that have responsibility for designing and implementing a risk-driven, compliance & management systems-based audit program in GE's operations. The team was created in late 2014 as part of GE's migration to an EHS shared service, and Gretchen and the team are responsible for driving business-focused outcomes that assure compliance, identify and mitigate risk, and ensure continuous improvement in GE's operations.
Formerly Gretchen had responsibility for driving simplification in GE's EHS programs and supporting efforts in legal simplification. She is a FastWorks coach and supports teams that are working through transactional processes to drive speed and agility. She led GE's migration to an EHS shared service operation.
Gretchen has also held responsibility for global company-wide energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reduction programs under Ecomagination. In addition to these programs she also provided strategic direction and planning for the corporate EHS team. She managed EHS professional development & training activities.
From 2003 to 2006, Gretchen led air, transportation, and chemicals reporting compliance at GE Aviation. She provided hands-on assistance at facilities worldwide on issues including aircraft engine test cell permitting and compliance, implementation of hazardous materials transportation security rules, and compliance around complex chemical reporting regulations. Prior to 2003, Gretchen was the environmental program manager for GE's Aviation Services business, and joined GE as a site EHS manager in Goleta, California.
Prior to joining GE, Gretchen was a senior compliance auditor at Environmental Strategies Corporation (now a part of WSP). She led audit programs for numerous corporate clients of at operating facilities worldwide, both as part of standard compliance audit programs and also as part of acquisition and divestiture activities. She also gained experience in remedial investigations and feasibility studies, including human health risk assessment, while at ESC.
Gretchen received her B.S. in Geology from Dickinson College.
About NAEM
The National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) empowers corporate leaders to advance environmental stewardship, create safe and healthy workplaces, and promote global sustainability. As the largest professional community for EHS and sustainability decision-makers, we provide peer-led educational conferences and an active network for sharing solutions to today's corporate EHS and sustainability management challenges. Visit NAEM online at www.naem.org.