Every October, we celebrate employee ownership at NMR. Last year, we looked at our ESOP’s origin story, but this year, we turned the lens on our individual stories to explore our paths to ownership.

Employee ownership certainly has financial benefits, but many of the benefits are less quantifiable—like a culture of support for each other’s career development and personal wellbeing. That helps us think creatively to collaborate on energy-efficiency evaluation with our unique individual skills.

Our journeys to energy-efficiency work and employee ownership all look different, but we’re united by our values and support for each other. Check out the stories below from a cross section of NMR’s team to learn where we came from and how we’re sustaining a culture to guide our paths.

“NMR was a very new path for me. I was fresh out of occupational therapy school and working as a cook at a clam shack. Never in my life did I think I would have a career in energy efficiency. I don’t think another firm would have given me the time of day. The culture here at NMR gave me the opportunity to learn and grow. My schooling came from everyone around me—they encouraged me to go back to school and supported me with other trainings.” – Kailey Pratt, Project Manager

“For years, I worked in the restaurant industry before going to grad school for food policy and economics, where I learned that I was more interested in developing my research skills. NMR’s employee ownership culture naturally attracts people who value agency, creativity, flexibility, and teamwork. Many of us share similar values and interests, which creates a workplace that is professionally rewarding and personally enjoyable.” – Christine Smaglia, Project Manager

“I spent five years before the pandemic as a copyeditor in educational travel. After a few years of freelance writing and part-time work, I found a home at NMR. NMR gives me the opportunity to expand my marketing skills and, through my communications work, to learn more about research and evaluation to combat climate change and preserve the environment.” – Nick Arnemann, Communications & Marketing Manager

“In 2016, I was between jobs in the energy field, working at a local grocery store. While researching NMR for an admin position, I realized I’d been bagging the president’s groceries for months! I introduced myself one day—and soon after got the job. The core of our ownership culture is the willingness of staff to share their knowledge. I was given opportunities to help out on project work and eventually promoted to analyst, with plenty of training and support. We don’t hoard knowledge here in a competitive way; the more we share, the more effective we are as a team.” – Eugene McGowan, Project Manager

“My background is in political science, but I almost pursued a degree in environmental science. I thought I had missed the opportunity to work in this field, but joining NMR meant coming full circle—using my research skills with my passion for energy and the environment. It’s so energizing to work with a truly collaborative, supportive, and values-oriented team that cares for and uplifts each other.” – Melissa Meek, Senior Project Manager