“I’ve recently realised that curiosity isn’t just about learning or research, but also key in relationships.”
What began as a simple reconnection with an old friend—hours of listening, laughing, rediscovering—taught Tanya Jenke that true curiosity is not about questions, but about presence. It’s about hearing the story someone else is telling.
This shift reshaped how Tanya shows up every day, both in life and in work. It deepened her empathy, sharpened her leadership, and reminded her that even in a field defined by data, there are always people behind the numbers.
Finding Her Way into Occupational Health and Safety
Tanya didn’t set out to work in Occupational Health and Safety. She began in a lab, testing air, water, and soil, but felt strangely detached. “I was in the lab analysing samples, but I didn’t know where they came from. I didn’t know what the workplace was like.”
A professor saw what she couldn’t yet see—that she needed more connection. He nudged her toward a diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
“I really appreciated that mentorship. I felt like it brought together science and people in a way that traditional science classes didn’t do for me.”
That small signpost turned into a career that has spanned two decades, a PhD, and leadership roles across EHS and technology—including her most recent move into Senior Director of Product Enablement at Cority.
Resilience Through the Long Haul
Doing a PhD while working full-time and moving overseas pushed Tanya to her limits. “It was six years. One of the things I think that was challenging was just finding that internal motivation to keep going… knowing that there was a goal and a purpose that really resonated with me.”
The experience became her personal case study in resilience—the very subject of her research. Her answer? Keep showing up.
“Some days will be uncomfortable or unproductive or not fun—and that’s OK. Exercising that muscle to show up is what builds resilience.”
Safety, Grounding, and the Human Connection
Tanya believes safety is never just a number. “If you’re talking about fatalities, that data point is a fatality of someone whose family member is not coming home at the end of the day. Effective EHS can’t be done without human connection.”
She grounds herself in meditation, a daily practice for two decades, and brings the same calm focus into her leadership. “I hope my team feels supported and safe… empowered to raise concerns and to grow.”
Looking Ahead
Asked what she would tell her younger self, Tanya says:
“Keep going, keep going, keep going. Stay curious, stay interested. Know that it’s a really exciting field that is going to continue to change—and I will change along with it.”
For Tanya, that’s more than career advice. It’s a way of living.
Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn
