Dynamic duo nurtures a culture of life-long learning.
As employee development trainers, they teach critical skills – leadership, listening and problem solving— so that EBMUD’s workforce can meet our mission of providing high-quality water and wastewater services. They teach courses in emotional intelligence, crucial conversations, interview preparation and leadership to help employees fulfill their potential.
Their impact is widespread. Students apply classroom learning and it shows. Nearly 50 percent of their leadership program graduates over the last five years have succeeded in getting promoted at EBMUD.
“I just want to scream and ring a bell when I hear someone that I mentored got promoted,” says Robbin gleefully. “From the first day on the job to retirement, we follow our students’ careers.”
The pair co-facilitate courses to reach students with different learning styles -- even asking their pupils to think with a beginner’s mind.
“I love seeing our students’ faces light up,” says Maria. “My goal is to take people to the next level and open the doors to curiosity. As leaders, they’ll need to ask questions and seek more than one answer.”
A culture of life-long learning keeps EBMUD in the vanguard and improves communication between EBMUD employees and those we serve.
“The skills learned in the classroom have a ripple effect,” says Maria. “Inside the workplace and in the community,” adds Robbin.