At the forefront of environmental cleanup efforts at the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington, a team of professionals at the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) is preparing to treat 56 million gallons of radioactive tank waste using state-of-the-art vitrification technology.
Their mission? Safely convert liquid radioactive waste into solid glass for long-term storage—a monumental task led by Amentum, and powered by a team of dedicated professionals. Among them are several outstanding women whose leadership, creativity, and innovation are playing a vital role in the plant’s success.
Rachel Parsons
Chemical Engineer | 5 Years on the Project
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Colorado State University | M.S., Engineering and Technology Management, Oklahoma State University
Rachel led the redesign of the Glass Former Delivery system after identifying operational failures caused by clogging. She researched industrial best practices, worked with external experts, and introduced a coreless wetting screw and vertical transfer lines to prevent dust buildup and blockages.
Replacing the existing system in an active plant was no small feat. Rachel likened the effort to “building a ship in a bottle”—orchestrating the removal and rooftop installation of components weighing up to 30,000 pounds, all while maintaining operations.
Her success formula: Collaboration, clear communication, and employee engagement.
Her advice:
On innovation: “Think creatively, don’t limit yourself, and have fun.”
To early-career professionals: “Reach out to experts—you’re not alone. And have a mentor.”
Kayla Isley
Operations Supervisor | 5 Years on the Project
Associate of Arts, Columbia Basin College
Kayla led safety innovations in radiological work environments, including a mechanical piping solution that eliminated containment breaches and reduced worker exposure.
Known for her hands-on leadership, Kayla often suits up and works alongside her team—especially during critical repairs, like those involving the ammonia system.
“I don’t manage from a desk. I’m out in the field in full PPE with my team.”
Her advice: “Be strong and true to who you are.”
Amber Waltke & Jamie Elpers
Laboratory Managers
Amber: A.S., Biology, Salt Lake Community College | Jamie: B.S., Biology, St. Mary of the Woods College
Charged with launching one of the largest laboratories in the DOE complex, Amber and Jamie focused on training the next generation of lab technicians—instilling safe practices and critical thinking.
Jamie: “Explain the ‘why.’ Encourage questions—they lead to real understanding.”
Amber: “Be in the field showing what ‘right’ looks like. Safety and sound lab practices matter.”
Sarah Sheen
Shift Operations Manager | 3 Years on the Project
B.S., Electrical Engineering, Oregon State University | U.S. Navy Veteran
Sarah brings her Navy background to her leadership style—balancing decisiveness with integrity. She helped fine-tune slurry feed mixtures to ensure safe limits ahead of waste processing.
“You need to know when to make the call—and own the outcome.”
Her advice: “Don’t caveat your knowledge. Women tend to undersell themselves. Be confident and assume good intent in others.”
Amber Wolf
Facility Manager | 7 Years on the Project
B.S., Biomedical Engineering, St. Louis University
Amber began as a Shift Technical Engineer and now leads the Effluent Management Facility. She identified biofouling and debris issues and implemented a slipstream filtration system based on team input.
She believes leadership starts in the field—walking down systems, training her team, and assigning tasks that play to individual strengths.
Her advice:
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To early-career professionals: “Don’t limit yourself. If the path is too narrow—widen it.”
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On innovation: “Create an open, respectful environment where everyone feels safe to share ideas.”
A Culture of Innovation
Kim Jackson, Senior VP of Operations at WTP, emphasized the value of early-career professionals:
“When young talent sees their ideas making a difference, it sparks a passion for innovation. This culture of collaboration and creativity is delivering real value across Amentum projects.”
From system redesigns to lab leadership, these women are shaping the future of nuclear waste cleanup—proving that people-first leadership and innovation go hand in hand at Hanford.
