Ecolab has been part of the Genesys Works story from the beginning. In 2008, Ecolab became the first Twin Cities company to commit to hosting Genesys Works interns, taking four of the 11 students placed that inaugural summer. That early commitment reflects Ecolab’s investment in local talent, helping create career pathways for students while strengthening its future workforce and engaging employees as mentors. Eighteen years later, that investment continues to pay off: Juan Puentes, one of those original Class One interns, still works at Ecolab today after first starting his IT career there while in high school.
Ecolab doesn’t just host interns—it invests in their development while building its future workforce through a strong talent pipeline. The company continues to excel in the number of interns it supports, its commitment to providing impactful experiences, and its willingness to hire Genesys Works students into full-time roles. This past year, Ecolab hired two Genesys Works interns into full-time positions, a powerful example of how early career experiences through the program can create pathways to long-term careers.
That long-term commitment is exactly why Ecolab was recognized with two awards at this year’s Draft Day, where more than 200 students were launched into year-long internships with 35 outstanding corporate technology and business partner companies.
The Best Internship Experience Award is presented to an organization that has gone above and beyond to innovate its internship experience over the past year. Ecolab earned this recognition by consistently empowering interns to develop their leadership and self-advocacy skills, while involving them in shaping professional development and team-building activities.
Ecolab’s dedicated Steering Committee, led by Chairperson
Maggie Humsey, played a key role in the program’s success.
“Together, we are building an experience that helps interns grow in a professional environment while giving them meaningful opportunities to network, connect, and have fun,” shared Maggie Humsey, Sr. Field Engagement Analyst at Ecolab. “The structure, expectations, and challenge of a professional role can shape how young professionals show up not only at work, but in their daily lives. Through this program, we have the opportunity to help them build confidence, develop professional habits, and understand what it means to show up as the best version of themselves.”
The Ever Upward Award is given to an organization with the most year-over-year growth in internships. This year, Ecolab grew its internship program from 17 interns to 20, with 15 high school and five alumni interns drafted to support Ecolab’s digital teams, demonstrating the company’s continued investment in creating opportunities for emerging talent.
Interns are contributing in roles such as Associate IT Operations Analyst and Associate Business Process Analyst and on teams including Engineering, DevOps, and Data Management, gaining hands-on experience in areas critical to the future workforce.
“This year’s cohort will have meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and build connections across Ecolab,” said Humsey. “Interns will gain hands-on experience supporting Ecolab Digital and IT through work such as technical support, software testing, data analysis, documentation, incident management, process improvement, and business operations. These real project experiences will help them strengthen technical, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills while gaining exposure to how a global technology organization operates.”Genesys Works is grateful to Ecolab for its investment in early-career talent. With support from an Ecolab Foundation grant, the program advances one of the Foundation’s key focus areas: delivering the future workforce by creating meaningful experiences that help young professionals imagine and plan their futures.
“I would strongly encourage other companies to consider partnering with Genesys Works. The experience is rewarding for both interns and employers, and the impact is significant.
Personally, leading this program has strengthened my confidence as a leader and reinforced how much can be accomplished through a committed team. Investing in young talent is an important way to support the future of the workforce. This program creates space for knowledge sharing, fresh perspectives, and meaningful growth on both sides.”
A special thank you to Karine Semmer, Senior VP Digital Connected Devices and Genesys Works Twin Cities Board Member, and David Bingenheimer, EVP & GM – Digital Growth, for continuing to champion and invest in the Genesys Works mission. We are again so appreciative of Ecolab’s incredible Steering Committee, including:
- Maggie Humsey –– Chairperson
- Mercedes Parker-Newell –– Vice Chairperson
- Emily Ollig –– Chief of Staff
- Richard Benton –– Talent Lead
- Colin Roberts –– Advisor
- Sarah Mosher –– Advisor
- Randall Batz –– Advisor
