Greener Together: How SPA Employees Are Driving Environmental Action

April 22, 2025

SPA Staff

As spring arrives and Washington, DC area begins to green up, the GoGreen Employee Resource Group (ERG) of Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) is already in motion—building momentum for a more sustainable workplace, a healthier planet, and a stronger connection with the communities we serve.

GoGreen isn’t just a grassroots effort—it’s a growing force within SPA that reflects our values as a responsive, objective, and trusted partner to the government agencies we support. And it’s one more reason why environmentally conscious professionals feel at home here.

What is GoGreen?

GoGreen is one of SPA’s Employee Resource Groups—voluntary, employee-led groups that build community and support professional development through shared interests. GoGreen’s mission is to foster environmental awareness and activism inside and outside the company. It’s about small steps, big impact, and building a culture where environmental responsibility is part of how we operate.

“The idea has always been to give people tools and opportunities to do good—at work and in their communities. We’re not waiting for change to happen. We’re organizing to lead it.”

James Richardson, GoGreen co-chair and one of the ERG’s founding members.

A Strategic Approach Rooted in Four Pillars

Co-chair Nicole Beck added, “People want to work for organizations that align with their values. GoGreen helps show who we are and what we care about—not just in words, but in action.” She explained the GoGreen ERG is structured around four core focus areas that align with SPA’s commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence:

Sustainability

Employees lead initiatives that reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote responsible consumption across SPA offices. Examples include:

Electronics recycling campaigns in partnership with Recycling4Virginia
Encouraging peer-to-peer reuse through the internal “SPA Marketplace”
Engaging with sustainable vendors and promoting recycling across office locations

Conservation

GoGreen fosters community connections through local environmental projects, including:

Park and street clean-up events like ADOPT-A-BLOCK and ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY
Participation in city-wide initiatives like Alexandria’s Earth Month
Promotion of alternative commuting options such as “Bike to Work Week – Coast to Coast”

Awareness
By providing accessible education and insights, GoGreen helps employees take actionable steps toward sustainability. Efforts include:

Lecture series on environmental issues and their relevance to SPA’s work
Cooking classes focused on seasonal, sustainable meals
Information campaigns on green building upgrades and workplace efficiencies

Fellowship

GoGreen creates a sense of community for employees who want to make a difference:

Informal gatherings like the “Plant Social”
Family-friendly events like community bike rides
Seasonal sport outings that bring teams together around shared values

From Initiative to Impact

GoGreen’s roots stretch back several years to internal efforts led by Richardson, an operations research analyst at SPA. What began as office recycling and local clean-ups has grown into a global initiative with executive backing—made possible by SPA’s recent growth and expanded geographic reach.

The transition to a formal ERG reflects our belief that sustainability isn’t a side project. It’s a strategic priority—and one that resonates deeply with our people.

Real-World Action: Cleaning Up Holmes Run

In March of this year, GoGreen held its first official clean-up event as a full ERG. Team members braved the rain to remove more than 10 bags of trash from Holmes Run in Alexandria, Virginia—along with a stroller, grocery cart, smartphone, and multiple abandoned scooters. Their efforts, in partnership with Adopt-A-Block, visibly improved the park and showed what’s possible when committed individuals come together to make an impact.

Why It Matters

For government agencies focused on resilience, security, and long-term strategy, environmental stewardship is more than a feel-good story—it’s mission-relevant. At SPA, we bring that mindset to every program we support, from logistics and analytics to advanced planning and decision support.

And for professionals looking to grow their careers while contributing to a better future, GoGreen offers a clear signal: This is a company where values align with action.

Learn more about SPA’s Employee Resource Groups.