Meet Marie Milord

We recently connected with Marie Milord and have shared our conversation below.

Marie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I learned first and foremost to embrace my uniqueness and the fact that I look nothing like the folks in the room. My background and upbringing were very different from those I was challenged with managing. However, that difference allowed me to be effective and successful because I was able to build off of it and take advantage of it. My insights were different because I had nothing sugar-coated for me in life. I was real, raw, and authentic. I spoke on things others tippytoed around, which allowed me to connect with the room from a place that was often considered taboo. I learned to believe in my abilities and to shake up a room with my ideas because I know that places where we are most uncomfortable breed both change and growth.

To be honest, because I was a teen mom, I always had to speak up for myself and advocate for myself. I learned the power of allyship. I found allies and mentors who saw past what I looked like and brought me into the room, breaking down doors and barriers without caring about the backlash. I saw the effectiveness of that boldness. I learned emotional intelligence early on and I think that has got to be one of the BIGGEST components to life. Grasping how to navigate one’s own emotions and the emotions of others we are in the room with. Leaving space and grace.

I started to see being different as a powerful position, one I could use to my advantage to share a different message and give a change to perspectives. You will always have folks that are stuck in their ways and then you will have others that are captivated with change. Either way I walk into a room as though I belong there, because I do. I work in a male predominant environment, and I also have when I started once I started in an operational field environment, so I have a lot working against me, I am a female, and I am black. It doesn’t bother me because I’ve grown to embrace all of that and be so confident in what I bring to their table. I have to possess a certain level of confidence and assertiveness, and I create such a positive work environment that they almost feel silly not reciprocating.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Whew! Ok so about me, I’ll give you the first few pages of my “Tell All” book. LOL. I was raised in a single-parent home. Between my mother and aunt who helped raise me, I have a combined total of 9 siblings, 3 from my mom and 6 from my aunt (no way they are just my cousins). My journey was, and in many ways still is, far from conventional. While my peers and close friends were celebrating their high school graduations and embracing their first year of college, I was back home in my apartment off Baisley Blvd in Jamaica, Queens, pregnant with my daughter and trying to figure out my next steps in life. I remember my best friend Tasha calling me from her dorm, packing out her stuff while I was trying to pack a hospital bag for delivery. Those dorm room conversations kept me in my right mind, literally!

I had been working since I was 14, so working wasn’t the shock, but the realization that I had to support a small human while her dad was being taken from the home hit me hard. This is probably when my survival mode kicked into full gear. I endured any job and poor conditions because I couldn’t afford to worry about my mental or emotional well-being—I had to get through it by any means necessary. I remember accepting sexual harassment on a job because quitting wasn’t an option. I didn’t realize a psychologically safe environment was possible. I thought, “Hey, this is my life.” It felt almost normal, and my hands were tied. I used to cry a lot, feel less than a lot, but one thing I possessed was determination. I vowed to get life under control, become more than my circumstances, and be someone I needed back then.

I wanted to open a rec center for young adults to be treated with respect. If it wasn’t at the job, I felt less than at a doctor’s appointment or at the public assistance office. I felt like I was wearing a scarlet letter marked “SHAME”. At 20 with a baby, dropped out of college, and on Medicaid, I was not okay. Ironically, I found peace in making sure everyone else was okay because I knew how much it hurt that I wasn’t.

Despite everything designed systematically to destroy me, it made me faithful, grateful, and hungry for more. It set me up for who I am and what I am building today. I am currently working on my Master’s degree in Health, Safety, and Environmental and Sustainability. I am officially Board Certified as a Health and Safety Professional and Safety Management Systems Specialist from the BCSP. I also hold an ISO professional certification and OSHA 500, allowing me to teach OSHA certification classes. I just became a chair member of the American Society of Safety Professionals NY Chapter. By now, I’ve worked for some of New York’s most significant entities, including the New York City Transit System, Port Authority Bridges, Tunnels and Bus Terminals, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Buildings, and Department of Transportation. I currently work for a major utility company.

As I mentioned, my journey was not conventional at all. Due to financial constraints as a young mom with a ton of responsibilities, I had to drop out of my freshman year of college and find a job through a temporary staffing agency. I was given a 90-day assignment as a temporary Administrative Assistant with a General Contractor in New York. During this period, I worked closely with everyone in the office and became involved in various projects. After the 90 day, the VP of the company offered me a full-time position in their Risk department, providing comprehensive on-the-job training. I handled Insurance certification, claims in litigation and Worker’s Comp claims, contributing to improving the company’s safety record. I mastered writing Health and Safety Plans, safe work methods, and emergency action plans, which helped the company secure new projects.

As federal and local regulators emphasized proactive approaches to workplace safety, I transitioned to the Health, Safety, and Risk department at another major company handling New York’s transit and environmental projects. I took on responsibilities for Safety Management Systems and pursued additional continuing education classes to enhance my performance and direct the company’s safety department. I completed numerous safety-related courses, such as asbestos abatement, lead awareness, fire safety, scaffold training, and fall protection. In the summer of 2018, I attended Rutgers University to take public safety classes while completing my NYC Department of Buildings Safety Manager license. I later became a Safety Director, where I developed and maintained the company’s safety department. I also studied Psychological (behavior-based) Safety and became a member of the National Safety Council, traveling and speaking at various safety conferences. Small companies that couldn’t afford a full-time Health and Safety professional would hire me to complete plans so they could obtain both small and large-scale jobs. I used to go by the name “Safety Lady.” I have to really give so much homage to my colleagues who used their privilege to bring me into rooms side by side with them, they saw in me what laid dormant.

I spend a lot of time advocating for the well-being and health of workers in extremely hazardous work environments. Currently, I work as the Health and Safety Field Specialist for my employer. I decided to officially start SoMat Cultured Consulting LLC a couple of years ago, it is a consulting company that curates psychological and behavior-based safety management programs for both small start-up businesses and established businesses looking to improve. We offer health and safety training and risk solutions. SoMat is named after my kids Sarai and Matt. Besides being a Health, Safety, and Risk consulting firm, there is a community-based facet that heals the young woman in me. I get to be to young people and adults what I so desperately needed: guidance, encouragement, development, and leadership. I do not for one second believe what I went through to get here was for me. I know now it was God’s plan to fulfill my purpose, but I had to grow through it to help others. It is probably my favorite part of my company—the community engagement and work. My outgoing, compassionate, and empathetic personality has allowed me to keep folks safe on their job sites, but my resilience, determination, and pain enable me to help people find their way and be empowered.

I continue to inspire and motivate because it’s what gives me perfect peace. I find new ways over and over to do it. This year, I have a few things in store, and in the last few months, I’ve been intentional about the rooms I am in, the people I surround myself with, and the things I dedicate my time to. I am involved in numerous community organizations focused on leadership development among young adults. My goal is still to one day open a center for neurodivergent children and young adults to thrive and learn early professional skills. I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2023, so you can imagine how challenging navigating life has been. I am passionate about working with individuals in underserved areas, providing leadership skills, conducting mock interviews, and even helping them shop for interview clothes to land jobs. I love participating in community outreach events and leading employee resource groups that help people get jobs based on their merit, regardless of their background or access to education. I believe people can be upskilled, and I see beauty in neurodiversity. I know so many individuals who probably can’t sit through a PhD program but yet their minds are incredible.
In 2025 I am growing and glowing and that is a sure promise.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful are:

Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward has been crucial. Life is full of challenges, and resilience helps you navigate through them without losing sight of your goals. To develop resilience, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, practice self-care, and build a support network of friends, family, and mentors.

Effective Communication: Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and listen actively is essential for success. Effective communication helps build relationships, resolve conflicts, and convey your ideas persuasively. Also, a key element to that is being able to navigate emotions that arise from communicating with others. Whether it is what they are saying to you or how to effectively communicate out. Perception and Intent are two different things so even though your intent is in the right place, perception is one’s reality, think twice before speaking.

Continuous Learning: Staying curious and open to new knowledge has been a game-changer. The world is constantly evolving, and continuous learning helps you stay relevant and adaptable. To foster a habit of continuous learning, set aside time for reading, take online courses, attend workshops, and seek out new experiences. I am huge advocate for network events. Someone once said your “Net worth is heavily influnced by your “Network” and I agree. Be open to learning and never stop.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to focus on developing these qualities and skills. Embrace challenges, communicate effectively, and never stop learning. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who can guide and inspire you. Remember, every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll achieve great things! For those who are seasoned and feel like they have it all figured out “Well kudos to you because I am still learning things” LOL

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed I self soothe through mindfulness and taking a break. I used to believe I have to keep pushing through, but I’ve learned over the years that it was not helpful. Our overstimulation is a huge hinderance to our ability to function so knowing when to retreat and self sooth is crucial. I actually took a space in my house that I was using to hoard clothes, and I made it a “Self-care room” it has my journal, my bible and a cozy chair. It is away from the everything and I go into deep meditation. I know it sounds cliche but Prayer and setting my boundaries. As a mom I lacked boundaries because I always assumed it’s not my kids’ fault I am tired but I learned it was okay to say “No” not today and prevent me from taking on too much.

Remember, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. The key is to have strategies in place to manage those feelings and take care of yourself, prioritize yourself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somatbehavioralsafety?igsh=MTM2ZjliOHc2N3EwNg==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-milord-chst-sms-538713ba