Jaylicia-Jinei ‘Kanani’ Patricio-Young

Technical Integrations Industrial Hygiene Supervisor

Washington River Protection Solutions

Age: 31

Current city of residence: Kennewick

Briefly describe your company:

Washington River Protection Solutions, or WRPS, is the tank operations contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of River Protection. Our main focus is reducing the environmental risk posed by 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste stored in 177 underground tanks near the center of the 586-square-mile Hanford site. 

How long have you worked there?

About a month.

Education: Please list any degrees and professional certifications.

Bachelor's degree, EPA lead inspector/risk assessor, AHERA inspector, management planner, designer, learning and development specialist, and diversity, equity and inclusion specialist.

Briefly describe your job and how you got into it:

I began working as an industrial hygiene technician, or IHT, at 18 years old and became an accredited training provider in the state of Hawaii. After eight years in the industrial hygiene, or IH, industry mentors encouraged me to open an environmental consulting company specializing in asbestos, lead, arsenic and mold. Kanani Environmental LLC operates throughout the state of Hawaii. 

In the midst of Covid, I was brought on board as the industrial hygiene lead for PBS Engineering and Environmental in Richland and worked to build and scale its IH group in Eastern Washington. Through my years of service with PBS and getting to know the industry here in the Pacific Northwest, I was presented with an opportunity at WRPS that better suited my skills and passions. I’m able to help develop, train and mentor new IHTs to help move our mission forward.

Tell us about your first job.

My first job was working on my family farm picking, sorting, cleaning and delivering mangos.

What advice would you give to your younger self about achieving success?

Stop stopping yourself!

What was your dream job as a child?

With degrees and certificates in criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections and private security, I always wanted to be an air marshal, pilot or work for the Secret Service.

What or who most influenced your career path or leadership style? This could be a book, class, person, etc.

My dad. He was a serial entrepreneur with a big impact when it came to visionary leadership, servant leadership and the power of dreaming big. John Maxwell, Brené Brown and Simon Sinek are also my favorite reads of all time.

What would be your top three priorities to make our community a better place?

• Creating inclusive culture.
• Supporting local small businesses/free enterprise.
• Investing time, money, resources and mentorship into our leaders of tomorrow (the next generation).

Tell us about your community involvement/community service:

WRPS is heavily involved in community service programs and sustainability initiatives. Through these initiatives, we participate in activities like the recent Earth Day community cleanup and volunteer in schools and at community events.

Outside of work, my husband and I run a small leadership development company, Young Leadership Inc., dedicated to providing inclusive mentorship, training and events for the local communities. 

I’ve participated as a speaker and committee member for various engineering, environmental health and safety, and IH professional organizations, spreading education and awareness of the importance of emotional literacy as it relates to psychological safety and total worker health (especially for women in male-dominant arenas), as well as the importance of speaking up and taking action when it comes to allyship, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. One of my most recent contributions to our community was speaking on the Importance of self-love for Snipes H3, a local nonprofit committed to empowering homeless individuals, with a focus on young adults aged 18-24, with a holistic approach that includes providing safe housing, mentorship, education and the opportunity for a new start in life. 

I’ve also founded the Tri-Cities Environmental & Engineering Professionals Facebook group. The growing online community provides its members updates on current engineering and environmental news, developments, job postings, volunteer opportunities, networking events, educational resources, support and overall professional growth for Tri-Cities environmental and engineering professionals.

If you had unlimited time, what volunteer work would you be interested in doing?

Mentorship. Investing in the leaders of tomorrow.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

My style is unique in the sense that I enjoy work-life integration and know where and when to set boundaries. Unlike seeking work-life balance, I seek living my life and values out fully even at work, and vice versa, I find joy in taking client calls while walking the riverfront on my lunch breaks.

List any awards/honors you have received:

Recently, I was voted onto three different mentorship committees, recognized as a visionary leader and listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America, and became speaker on “DEI, Authenticity, and Leadership for millennials and Gen Z” throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In past Army/JROTC/ROTC years, I received the Superior Cadet Medal, Special Forces Medal, and Most Physically Fit Female awards. I received scholarships through our Miss America Pageant as a first runner-up. I also received recognition from the Hawaii State Legislature, commended for my contributions to public service in 2013.

Do you have family? Pets?

Husband, two kids ages 11 and 7, a white Husky named Hoku and two cats, Sith and Princess Leia.

What brought you to the Tri-Cities? Did you grow up here?

Country living, high desert, great people, and opportunity brought us to Tri-Cities. I did not grow up here, but all the above plus the history ties to the World War II era that surely remind me of and make this home.

What's your dream vacation?

Taking the kids on a 007 James Bond or Mission Impossible “type” mission for “The Amazing Race.”

Planner or procrastinator?

Bit of both, Monday - Thursday planner for sure. Friday - Sunday procrastination is my specialty.

Introvert or extrovert?

I can be both, but most would say extroverted.

First car?

1987 Ford Ranger XLT stick shift.

Favorite thing to do in Tri-Cities?

Shop local. Sooooo many awesome people and businesses to meet. I also love walking the riverfront and finding new wineries and tasting rooms!

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I graduated high school with honors at 16 and have lived on my own ever since.

Favorite Tri-City restaurant?

Shiki Sushi & Grill.

Favorite day of the week?

Saturday morning - weekly scheduled coffee with myself.

Text, email, phone call?

I communicate all ways ALWAYS. Any time day or night if you need anything, I will answer.

Would you rather travel back in time or to the future?

I seize opportunities. All we have is now. Live in the present. Maybe spend more time with my dad when he was alive back in the past.

Editor’s note: Jaylicia-Jinei “Kanani” Patricio-Young won the award while employed at PBS Engineering and Environmental and joined Washington River Protection Solutions as a technical integrations industrial hygiene supervisor on April 15.