Networking Breakfast

50min

Opening Remarks

Dana Dawsey, Global Vice President EH&S, Pentair

5min

Dana Dawsey

Dana Dawsey is a highly respected Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) expert, entrepreneur, and leadership coach with over 20 years of [...]

Opening Keynote Presentation – The Tools They Craft, and the Tales They Tell

Jeremy Nauert, Global Director, HSE, Lutron Electronics

Every tool, shortcut, and workaround used by your workforce tells a story, a story of the real work being done versus how it was originally imagined.

This insightful session will uncover how to recognize and interpret the often-overlooked clues embedded in everyday operations that reveal gaps between procedures and practice.

By learning how to spot these subtle signals, EHS leaders can better understand frontline realities, drive meaningful improvements, and unlock hidden potential within their systems and teams.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to identify the gap between "work as imagined" and "work as done"
• Discover how small behaviors and subtle cues can reflect deeper system challenges
• Gain tools to turn overlooked details into powerful opportunities for safety and performance improvement

30min

Jeremy Nauert

Jeremy Nauert has over 30 years of successful experience in HSE, mostly in multi-national manufacturing. His passion, however, lies not only [...]

Keynote Presentation – De-Siloing Safety

Rob Fisher, Founder, Fisher Improvement Technologies

Too often, personal safety, process safety, psychological safety, and other areas where risk drives performance compete for resources.

There are systems, methods, processes, and tools that can be applied in any of these areas and represent the next logical step in creating sustainable, positive outcomes in Safety, Quality, Environmental, Operations, and other areas.

Rob will discuss the practical application of these systems and provide some takeaways for immediate use.

30min

Rob Fisher

Rob is a pioneer in Human and Organisational Performance and all aspects of performance improvement including incorporating the understanding of [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – Driving Sustainability and ESG Forward to Align Safety with Corporate Responsibility

Panelists:

Tracy Beaudry, VP, Safety, Quality & Sustainability, SPX FLOW

Dr. Bryan Webb, Director EHS, One PaperWorks

Marcia Kraemer, Environmental Program Specialist, Brookfield Properties

Moderator:

Chris Palazzo, Director of Product Marketing EHS & ESG, HSI

As sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) continue to shape corporate agendas, the role of EHS leaders has never been more critical. This panel will explore how forward-thinking companies are integrating safety, sustainability, and corporate responsibility to create a more resilient and ethical business environment.

Gain insights into how organizations are embedding ESG principles into safety programs, balancing compliance with business value, and leveraging technology and data-driven strategies to enhance sustainability performance. The discussion will also address the latest regulatory shifts and best practices for aligning workplace safety with broader environmental and social impact initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how EHS teams can be leaders in driving corporate sustainability efforts by implementing green initiatives, reducing environmental risks, and fostering a culture of sustainability in the workplace.
• Best practices and tools for measuring environmental impact, energy consumption, waste generation, and other ESG indicators that EHS teams can track and report on.
• Practical steps to integrate ESG considerations into safety protocols, including creating safer working conditions while achieving sustainability goals, aligning EHS programs with ESG reporting, and fostering a culture of corporate responsibility across all levels of the organization.
• Identifying common roadblocks faced by organizations when merging EHS with ESG goals and how to overcome them, including the importance of leadership buy-in, employee engagement, and ensuring continuous improvement.
• Understanding the role of digital tools, AI, and IoT in collecting data, automating sustainability efforts, and enhancing transparency in environmental performance tracking.

30min

Tracy Beaudry

Tracy Beaudry is a seasoned Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) leader with over 16 years of global experience spanning corporate and [...]

Dr. Bryan Webb

The primary function of my position is to identify, eliminate, and control hazardous conditions that may lead to injury and/or property damage [...]

Marcia Kraemer

Experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the building materials industry. Skilled in RCRA, ISO 14001, Environmental [...]

Chris Palazzo

I'm a customer-driven Product Marketing leader with over 7 years experience in B2B SaaS technology, with 3 years focused exclusively on EHS & ESG [...]

Networking Break

15min

Speaker Presentation – Safety Engagement – A Leadership-Driven Culture Shift

James Boykins, Director EHS, Moss & Associates

In today’s complex and high-risk work environments, safety engagement is no longer just a checklist item, it’s a leadership imperative. Studies consistently show that an engaged workforce not only drives down incident rates but also leads to increased retention, improved productivity, and stronger safety performance across the board. But engagement doesn’t happen by chance, it starts at the top.

This session will explore how safety leaders can influence culture by fostering deeper engagement from the frontline to the boardroom. We’ll examine the critical role of frontline supervisors in shaping daily behaviours, and how breaking down organizational silos can improve communication, build trust, and unify safety efforts. Drawing on real-world examples and practical frameworks, we’ll look at how leadership accountability, measurable goals, and trust-based relationships can create a culture where safety is owned by everyone.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the five foundational pillars of safety engagement and how they drive long-term culture change.
• Learn how to bridge the gap between craft workers and supervisors, creating shared responsibility and open communication on the job site.
• Explore the "Trust Equation" and how leaders can earn and maintain trust to increase compliance and discretionary effort.
• Gain practical strategies for building engagement and accountability, including tools for measuring leadership impact on safety outcomes.
• Understand the connection between leadership engagement and enhanced Safety, Quality, and Production (SQP) outcomes.

30min

James Boykins

James is an accomplished Safety Professional with over 17 years of experience. He has worked on both OSHA and MSHA job sites, civil construction, [...]

Speaker Presentation – Three Moves To Amplify Your EHS Impact

Jess Daly, Chief Strategy Officer, Everyday Massive

EHS leaders aren’t just safety stewards — they’re the culture shapers, strategic influencers and bottom-line boosters.

This session cuts to the chase with three bold moves to help lift your impact across safety, engagement and leadership. We’ll start with a simple, scalable action that sparks immediate behavioural shifts. Next, we explore an approach that will cut through and drive greater engagement, even with a large contractor workforce. Finally, we look at how to design a bespoke program that aligns safety, culture and leadership into one powerful force.

With lessons from one of the world’s most regulated health and safety environments (which also happens to have an inordinate share of deadly animals), this session will give you options to lead EHS with clarity, credibility and cut-through.

30min

Jess Daly

Jess Daly works as the Chief Strategy Officer at Everyday Massive. She joined Everyday Massive in 2022 after a 20-year career spent asking [...]

Breakout Session – OSHA’s Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan

James Simpson, VP of Safety & Risk Management, Sanitation Specialists

As temperatures rise, so does the risk to worker safety. This session will unpack OSHA’s approach to heat illness prevention and guide attendees through practical strategies to comply with regulatory requirements while proactively protecting employees.

Learn how to effectively implement policies and controls that address both outdoor and indoor heat-related risks, ensuring your team stays safe, hydrated, and prepared in extreme conditions.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand temperature thresholds that trigger heat-related safety measures
• Strategies to maintain proper hydration and provide adequate water access throughout shifts
• Best practices for water storage, consumption, and rotation
• Tools for evaluating heat exposure risks and preparing emergency response protocols
• Insights into heat acclimatization, protective gear, and engineering solutions
• How to recognize early warning signs and symptoms of various heat-related illnesses

30min

James Simpson

James Simpson is the VP of Safety & Risk Management for Sanitation Specialists which is a contract food safety sanitation and services company [...]

Breakout Session – Managing Risk Tolerance Elimination

Ray McGuire, CSP, Director of Operations Startup, Nestlé USA

In high-risk environments, understanding and managing risk tolerance is essential to preventing incidents before they occur.

This session will explore why individuals accept certain levels of risk, how those perceptions vary across teams and roles, and what EHS leaders can do to influence safer choices at every level of the organization. Participants will learn how to identify the root causes of elevated risk tolerance and implement targeted strategies to shift mindsets, align behaviors, and ultimately eliminate unnecessary risk acceptance within their operations.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain insight into why individuals and teams become comfortable with risk and the psychological and cultural factors that contribute to unsafe decisions.
• Learn how to spot behavioral and environmental indicators that suggest tolerance for risk is increasing—and how to intervene before it leads to incidents.
• Discover practical approaches to reframe risk perception, reduce complacency, and drive accountability through training, communication, and leadership modeling.
• Explore how consistent leadership actions, messaging, and reinforcement can help eliminate normalized risky behavior and create a culture where safety is non-negotiable.

30min

Ray McGuire

Ray McGuire, CSP, is a seasoned operations leader with over 23 years of experience at Nestlé, driving safety, health, and environmental [...]

Breakout Session – From Influence to Impact: Practical Tools for Purpose-Driven Leadership

Dr. Megan Tranter, CEO and Founder, Purpose Pathfinders

This interactive breakout session dives deeper into the mechanics of purpose-driven leadership, providing attendees with actionable tools and frameworks to implement immediately.

Megan will guide participants through exercises to define their unique leadership value, communicate their vision effectively, and strategically influence outcomes.

The session will include real-world case studies, group discussions, and hands-on exercises designed to empower leaders to create tangible change in their teams and organizations.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop a clear, compelling statement that articulates your unique value as a leader.
• Learn how to use stories to inspire action, foster connection, and drive engagement across teams.
• Identify practical techniques to influence stakeholders and make an impact at every level.
• Leave the session with a personalized action plan to implement purpose-driven strategies in your leadership immediately.

30min

Dr. Megan Tranter

Founder and CEO of Purpose Pathfinders, Dr. Megan Tranter is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformation at global [...]

Keynote Presentation – Waste Compliance in 2025 and Beyond: Strategies to Meet Requirements and Save Time

Jenny Vance, CRO, Encamp

Environmental teams are tasked with meeting evolving waste compliance responsibilities while resources remain constrained, or even reduced. Managing multiple hauler portals, consolidating disparate data, and ensuring compliance across different generator statuses and jurisdictions creates significant administrative burden. By streamlining waste compliance practices, environmental leaders can reclaim valuable time and create visibility for leadership.

Join us to learn:

• How to quantify and communicate the hidden costs of manual waste tracking processes to gain support for systems that reduce administrative burden across facilities with varying generator statuses
• Strategies to build regulatory confidence and audit-readiness without expanding headcount
• Proactive approaches for transforming waste compliance from a reactive to a process-driven, auditable system that meets regulatory requirements

30min

Jason Solley

Bio [...]

Jenny Vance

Jenny is an accomplished entrepreneur and go-to-market leader with extensive experience helping over 350 B2B technology companies—from Fortune 50 [...]

Networking Lunch

40min

Keynote Panel Discussion – Building the Future Workforce through the Next Generation of EHS Professionals

Panelists:

Ray McGuire, CSP, Director of Operations Startup, Nestlé USA

Pete Flatten, Director, National Safety, Tuff Shed

James Boykins, Director EHS, Moss & Associates

Moderator:

Tyron McGurgan, CEO, Focus Network

As experienced Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals nearing retirement, organizations must focus on attracting, retaining, and developing the next generation of safety leaders. This panel will explore strategies for engaging younger professionals, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills to lead in an increasingly complex EHS landscape.

The discussion will center on how organizations can become employers of choice for emerging talent, creating pathways for long-term growth and success.

Additionally, the panel will emphasize the importance of mentorship, leadership development, and continuing education in fostering the next wave of EHS professionals. With evolving EHS roles requiring new competencies in technology, sustainability, and global risk management, organizations must adapt their strategies to nurture a diverse, skilled workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain Insight into how to make EHS roles more appealing to younger professionals, including strategies for employer branding, recruitment, and offering flexible work environments.
• Understand the emerging skills necessary for EHS leaders, from tech proficiency to knowledge of ESG, sustainability, and regulatory compliance, and how to identify and develop these competencies in rising professionals.
• Practical advice on building mentorship programs, offering growth opportunities, and supporting continuous education to help younger EHS professionals
• Understand the cultural shift in workplace dynamics and how to create an environment that aligns with the values and career expectations of younger generations entering the EHS field.

30min

Ray McGuire

Ray McGuire, CSP, is a seasoned operations leader with over 23 years of experience at Nestlé, driving safety, health, and environmental [...]

Pete Flatten

Results driven EHS/L&D professional with 15+ years experience in construction, manufacturing, government projects, and oil and gas. Very [...]

James Boykins

James is an accomplished Safety Professional with over 17 years of experience. He has worked on both OSHA and MSHA job sites, civil construction, [...]

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Closing Keynote Presentation – When is it OK to Say I Disagree?

Nigel Packham, Associate Director, Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Johnson Space Center

You’re sitting in a meeting and the Program Manager/CEO/VP of Engineering – any senior leader - makes a major decision. You have been thinking about this topic for some time now and really believe that this decision involves too much risk. So, what now? Do you speak up? Do you wait until the meeting is over and talk about how bad the decision is with your closest colleagues?

At NASA, you have three choices when faced with a major decision – Agree. Disagree with the decision but be willing to fully support it.

Or disagree and register a formal dissent. That formal dissent can be appealed up to the level of the NASA Administrator.

Disagreeing with a formal decision made by a senior leader because it involves too much risk is not easy and ironically can put you at risk. However, the ability to raise an alternate opinion (less formal) or registering a formal dissent, without fear of retribution, provides the decision-maker all the requisite information to make an informed decision. Indeed, it should be common practice for the decision-maker to solicit alternate opinions before he or she selects the path forward.

Key takeaways:

• Safety leaders should recognize that there may be less risky approaches to accomplishing the same goal that they might not have thought of.
• Safety leaders should solicit alternate opinions before they make their decisions.
• In the event of an impasse, it is important to have a mechanism to resolve the differences without fear of retribution.
• Sometimes, the most junior member of staff might have more relevant experience in the decision being made.

30min

Nigel Packham

Dr. Nigel Packham is the Associate Director of NASA Johnson Space Center’s Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate and has become a [...]

Closing Remarks

Dana Dawsey, Global Vice President EH&S, Pentair

5min

Dana Dawsey

Dana Dawsey is a highly respected Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) expert, entrepreneur, and leadership coach with over 20 years of [...]

Farewell Networking Drinks

60min

Arrival & Registration

40min

Welcome & Master of Ceremonies

Jill James, Chief Safety Officer, HSI

5min

Jill James

Jill James is Chief Safety Officer at HSI. Jill’s 30 year health and safety career includes 12 years as Senior Safety Investigator with OSHA, [...]

Opening Keynote Presentation – Key Trends, Organizational Silos, and Emerging Risks Defining the Future of EHS in the U.S. and Globally in 2025 and Beyond

Tyron McGurgan, Chief Executive Officer, Focus Network

As Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) responsibilities become more complex and interconnected, leaders must navigate rapidly changing regulatory pressures, evolving workforce expectations, and the accelerating pace of technology.

To better understand these dynamics, Focus Network has conducted one of its most comprehensive studies to date, surveying over 500 senior EHS leaders across the United States, and more than 2,000 EHS leaders globally.

Tyron will deliver critical insights into how EHS priorities, investment strategies, and key challenges are evolving in 2025, equipping U.S. EHS leaders with the recommendations they need to stay aligned, future focused, and ready to adapt in a rapidly changing safety landscape.

In a time of constant disruption, this data-driven intelligence from Focus Network will arm EHS leaders with the comparative insights and tools they need to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about the key EHS initiatives driving progress in different global regions and countries, see how the United States compares, and receive actionable recommendations on priority areas for improvement.
• Understand how top performing organizations are adapting to these changes, and what strategies are proving most effective in enhancing safety performance and business resilience.
• Understand the top emerging risks and regulatory challenges organizations are preparing for and are also being faced with
• What the increasing role of AI and digital transformation in proactive risk management means for businesses

20min

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Keynote Presentation – Aligning Safety with Business Strategy

Nicole Thunich, Executive Vice President, Chief Safety Officer, MV Transportation

Aligning safety with business strategy is about integrating workplace health and safety into the core of an organization’s decision-making and operations.

This session will help leaders and safety professionals understand how safety performance and business success go hand in hand. Companies that prioritize safety not only protect their workers but also see improvements in productivity and financial performance.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how strong safety performance directly contributes to productivity, operational efficiency, and financial success, not just compliance.
• Discover practical ways to embed health and safety considerations into organizational goals, risk management frameworks, and business KPIs.
• Gain tools and language to effectively demonstrate the ROI of safety initiatives to senior leadership and secure stronger support and investment.
• Learn how to drive a Culture of Shared Accountability

30min

Nicole Thunich

Nicole Thunich is an accomplished safety and risk management executive with a passion for workplace safety and a track record of designing and [...]

Keynote Presentation – Futureproofing Workplace Safety – Evolving Beyond Traditional Approaches

Jon Liesmaki, Director of Environmental, Health, & Safety, Harmon Inc.

For too long, workplace safety has relied on outdated methods and disconnected systems—enough to stay compliant but not built for what’s ahead. As risks grow and expectations shift, those legacy approaches fall short.

This session explores how leading organizations can transform with EHS strategies, less reactive, more proactive.

Learn how to modernize your safety culture, streamline processes, and build a future ready foundation that keeps your workforce protected and your business agile.

Key Takeaways

• Identify where your organization currently stands (more advanced or just beginning)
• How to find the right vendor who can support and align to your business effectively
• How to efficiently roll out new tools and processes to your managers, front-line employees, and executives, including a “performance index” you can use to measure engagement and success at every level

30min

Jon Liesmaki

Jon is responsible for deploying Harmon’s Corporate EHS Management System to all Harmon project sites and manufacturing locations. Jon has [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – How AI & Digital Transformation Are Redefining Safety

Panelists:

Moderator:

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive analytics is transforming workplace health and safety by enhancing risk detection, streamlining compliance, and enabling real-time hazard monitoring. However, EHS leaders must navigate the complexities of emerging technologies and strategically implement them to drive meaningful safety improvements.

This panel will explore cutting edge advancements in AI-driven risk management, wearable safety tech, and automation. Experts will discuss how organizations can effectively adopt and scale these technologies, the barriers to implementation, and the broader impact of digital transformation on workplace safety.

Panellists will also examine the role of machine learning in predictive analytics, real time data collection for incident prevention, and automation’s potential to reduce human error in high risk environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding how AI-powered algorithms can detect safety risks before incidents occur and improve proactive decision making.
• How real-time data collection and analytics can help organizations track safety performance, identify patterns, and make informed adjustments to safety protocols.
• Addressing key barriers such as cost, workforce adoption, and regulatory compliance when integrating new EHS technologies.
• Best practices for ensuring technology adoption aligns with organizational goals, employee training, and a strong safety-first mindset.

30min

Networking Break

20min

Speaker Presentation – Leaning In and Listening to the ESG Conversation, What to Know Within the Intersections and Harmony of EHS and ESG

Katie Martin, Director, Sustainability, Avetta

EHS and ESG often intersect in high-stakes, emotionally charged conversations. Are these communities set up to compete or collaborate on shared goals? Explore how integrating EHS metrics into ESG frameworks can align priorities and promote lifesaving initiatives in the workplace.

Join us for this fun but crucial conversation, in which we’ll explore perspectives, definitions, common frameworks and intersections where today’s safety professional is learning to influence and lead in today’s world of work.

Key Takeawys

• Have the EHS and ESG communities been set up to compete against one another, serve broader, similar, and catalyzing goals and objectives?
• Is there a common framework through ESG to better promote EHS goals and objectives, and vice versa?
• What a better integrated EHS metric/s within an ESG framework would look like if promoted lifesaving goals, resources and priorities we can all be invested in?

30min

Katie Martin

Blending experience in business development, product management, and client advisory, Katie brings over 15 years of experience leading businesses [...]

Breakout Session – Beyond Engagement – Unlocking the Power of Empowered Employees Through Self-Efficacy

Vanessa Galvan, EHS Global Segment Leader, Pentair

In today’s competitive workplace, understanding the difference between employee engagement and employee empowerment is crucial for fostering a productive and motivated workforce.

This interactive session will delve deeper into the nuances of these concepts, highlighting how empowered individuals contribute significantly more than mere participation.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to Introduce self-efficacy theory and its relevance to empowerment.
• Be provided with actionable strategies for EHS leaders to enhance self-efficacy
• Engage in real-world case studies showcasing successful empowerment initiatives
• Learn how to define and differentiate employee engagement from employee empowerment.

30min

Vanessa Galvan

Vanessa Galvin is a bilingual, bicultural safety professional and servant leader with over two decades of hands-on experience spanning food and [...]

Breakout Session – Managing Risk Tolerance Elimination

Ray McGuire, CSP, Director of Operations Startup, Nestlé USA

In high-risk environments, understanding and managing risk tolerance is essential to preventing incidents before they occur.

This session will explore why individuals accept certain levels of risk, how those perceptions vary across teams and roles, and what EHS leaders can do to influence safer choices at every level of the organization.

Participants will learn how to identify the root causes of elevated risk tolerance and implement targeted strategies to shift mindsets, align behaviors, and ultimately eliminate unnecessary risk acceptance within their operations.

Key Takeaways

• Gain insight into why individuals and teams become comfortable with risk and the psychological and cultural factors that contribute to unsafe decisions.
• Learn how to spot behavioural and environmental indicators that suggest tolerance for risk is increasing and how to intervene before it leads to incidents.
• Discover practical approaches to reframe risk perception, reduce complacency, and drive accountability through training, communication, and leadership modelling.
• Explore how consistent leadership actions, messaging, and reinforcement can help eliminate normalized risky behaviour and create a culture where safety is non-negotiable.

30min

Ray McGuire

Ray McGuire, CSP, is a seasoned operations leader with over 23 years of experience at Nestlé, driving safety, health, and environmental [...]

Breakout Session – The Safety ROI Equation – Proving the Value of EHS Investments

This session will help EHS leaders translate safety initiatives into boardroom language. Participants will workshop how to tie leading indicators, operational performance, and safety culture outcomes into clear ROI stories.

Key Takeaways

• Learn new frameworks for calculating EHS ROI
• Learn new ways on how to communicate safety as a value driver, not a cost
• Hear from other safety leaders and understand what successful business cases have worked

30min

Speaking Presentation

20min

Speaking Presentation – From Stop Work to Start Work Safely – Rethinking Safety Authority Across All Levels of the Organization

Elle Osborne, Global HSE Director, Baker Hughes

Join Elle as she discusses the way Baker Hughes has evolved the traditional concept of Stop Work Authority into a broader, more proactive framework they call Start Work Safely. This shift ensures safety accountability is embedded across all functions, not just at the frontline, helping reduce incidents while creating more opportunities for organizational learning.

While Stop Work Authority remains a valuable tool, its current application has notable limitations. It often signals that multiple layers of control have already failed, making it a last resort rather than a preventive measure. Additionally, cultural and psychological barriers, such as fear of speaking up or unclear empowerment, can hinder its effectiveness.

Learn how Baker Hughes Start Work Safely model has addressed these issues by encouraging every employee to assess conditions and confidently ensure all is in place before work begins, ultimately fostering a safer, more engaged, and more informed workforce.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how shifting from a reactive “Stop Work” model to a proactive “Start Work Safely” approach empowers all employees, not just frontline workers to engage in safer decision-making from the outset.
• Discover how applying safety authority to all roles improves the organization’s ability to learn from near-misses and everyday work, leading to broader cultural shifts and fewer repeat incidents.
• Understand the challenges with the current application of Stop Work Authority, including its reactive nature, psychological barriers, and limited reach across non-operational roles.
• Learn how to drive systemic safety improvements, not just emergency interventions

30min

Elle Osborne

Elle Osborne is a Global Health Safety and Environmental Director who partners with the Executive Leadership Team of the Process and Pipeline [...]

Networking Lunch

40min

Speaking Presentation – The Purpose-Driven Leader, Building a Legacy of Impact

Dr. Megan Tranter, CEO and Founder, Purpose Pathfinders

In this powerful session, Dr. Megan Tranter takes the audience on a journey to discover what it truly means to lead with purpose in today’s rapidly evolving world.

Drawing on her experiences as a global executive and her insights into leadership and resilience, Megan challenges attendees to think differently about their careers, their teams, and their legacy. She will share actionable strategies to unlock potential, foster innovation, and drive long-term impact, inspiring leaders to elevate their influence while staying grounded in their values.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain clarity on the purpose that fuels your leadership and learn how to align it with your organization's mission for maximum impact.
• Explore strategies for building trust, sparking change, and influencing at every level of your organization.
• Learn how to navigate challenges with confidence and use setbacks as springboards for growth and innovation.
• Shift your focus from titles and accolades to creating a lasting legacy that improves the lives of others and drives meaningful results.

30min

Dr. Megan Tranter

Founder and CEO of Purpose Pathfinders, Dr. Megan Tranter is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformation at global [...]

Keynote Panel Discusssion – How Leading Companies Are Embedding Mental Health into Their EHS Framework

Panelists:

Catherine West, Vice President EHS, Amentum

Bill Kosek, EHS Leader, Sandvik

Moderator:

Tyron McGurgan, CEO , Focus Network

Mental health is no longer a separate conversation from workplace safety, it’s an essential part of a holistic EHS strategy. As companies recognize the direct link between mental wellbeing and incident prevention, many are embedding mental health initiatives into their EHS frameworks.

This panel will feature senior EHS leaders from top organizations who have successfully integrated mental health programs, policies, and training into their overall safety culture.

It will also equip EHS leaders with the knowledge and tools to champion mental health as a core element of their safety programs and drive lasting cultural change in their organizations.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how top organizations have successfully embedded mental health initiatives into their EHS strategies and safety cultures.
• Explore common challenges in integrating mental health programs and how to gain leadership buy-in for sustained change.
• Gain actionable insights on effective mental health training, peer support programs, and stress management initiatives that align with EHS goals.
• Discover key metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of mental health initiatives within an EHS framework.

30min

Catherine West

As a broad practitioner, Catherine supports Amentum’s commitment to prioritizing environmental, health, and safety (EHS) performance [...]

Bill Kosek

I am a highly analytical and self-motivated professional with a track record of successfully overseeing all facets of environmental, health and [...]

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Speaking Session – Embedding EHS into Business Strategy and Going Beyond Compliance

Too often, EHS is seen as a cost center focused on compliance rather than a core component of business success.

This session explores how to elevate EHS from a reactive function to a proactive driver of value, aligned with organizational strategy and longterm goals. Attendees will learn how to position their programs as catalysts for innovation, performance, and resilience.

Through first hand experiences and strategic frameworks, this session will highlight how leading companies are integrating EHS into boardroom conversations and leveraging it to meet ESG, financial, and operational objectives.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to align EHS with business performance and growth objectives
• Understand ways on how you can influence the C-suite with strategic EHS narratives
• Learn how to effectively use leading indicators to show proactive value
• Look at different ways on how you can Integrate EHS into ESG and sustainability roadmaps

30min

The Safety Smackdown – Will AI Replace the Role of the EHS Professional Within the Next Decade?

Our Safety Wrestlers:

Moderator:

Tyron McGurgan, CEO, Focus Network

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, the EHS profession stands at a critical crossroads. From predictive analytics and real time monitoring to automated compliance reporting and intelligent wearables, AI is rapidly transforming how safety is managed across industries.

This high stakes debate brings two senior EHS leaders to the stage, one advocating for the view that AI will ultimately replace much of the traditional EHS role, and the other defending the indispensable value of human led safety leadership.

The session will explore key questions such as:

• Will automation make EHS professionals obsolete, or more strategic?
• Can machines effectively manage human behavior, cultural change, and ethical decision making?
• What responsibilities will remain uniquely human in a tech driven safety landscape?

Through this lively high energy discussion, this debate will push attendees to confront the future of their profession and how to adapt, lead, and thrive in an era of rapid technological disruption.

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of where AI can genuinely enhance safety efforts and where the human touch remains irreplaceable.

20min

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Networking Break

20min

Breakout Session – Cross-Functional Influence – Selling Safety to Non Safety Leaders

This will be delivered as an interactive role play and peer coaching session to help safety leaders improve their influence with ops, finance, HR, and executive teams.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn new language and framing that resonates across departments
• Learn new tactics for gaining executive sponsorship
• Look at new ways to embed EHS into other business KPIs

30min

Breakout Session – EHS Tech Stack Showdown – What Works, What’s Worth It, What’s Next

In this session, EHS leaders will get a chance to compare their current tools, from mobile inspection apps to management platforms and openly discuss wins, regrets, and gaps.

Key Takeaways:

• A crowdsourced shortlist of top EHS tools
• Lessons learned in platform rollouts and vendor management
• A prioritized roadmap for tech adoption

30min

Breakout Session – Doing HOP Right

Rob Fisher, President, Fisher Improvement Technologies

HOP (Human and Organizational Performance) has been around for a while, and companies still struggle with how to effectively deploy the concepts to achieve the desired results.

This interactive session will cover the concepts, methods, processes, and tools for effectively deploying HOP, regardless of what your company does. FIT has deployed the concepts effectively for over 30 years, and in over 400 organizations around the world.

Hear about how Education (what and who you teach), Integration (putting it into day-to-day work), and Sustainability (this is how we do business) play into Doing HOP Right.

Key Takeaways

• Gain a clear understanding of the key principles, methods, and processes behind Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) and why it’s critical for organizational success.
• Learn how to effectively deploy HOP concepts across any industry, with real-world examples and practical tools for implementation.
• Discover how FIT has successfully implemented HOP in over 400 organizations worldwide and how those experiences can guide your own deployment efforts.
• Explore how Education, Integration, and Sustainability are essential to embedding HOP into your business practices and ensuring it delivers lasting results.

30min

Keynote Presentation – Technology and the Future of EHS – Enabling Smarter and Safer Workplaces

The EHS landscape is rapidly transforming with the adoption of AI, IoT, automation, and analytics. This keynote addresses how technology can be leveraged to enhance safety outcomes, environmental monitoring, and workforce health, while reducing human error and administrative burden.

Attendees will learn how to evaluate, implement, and scale digital solutions that add real value, without overcomplicating processes. Insights will be shared on building internal buy-in, engaging workers in the adoption of new tools, and future proofing your EHS function through data driven decision making.

Key Takeaways

• Learn ways on how you can better Identify EHS tech that delivers measurable ROI
• Understand the importance of Implementing tools that simplify, not complicate, workflows
• Strategies that will assist in ways to use predictive data to prevent incidents
• Overcome tech adoption barriers with workforce engagement

25min

Free Time

55min

Networking Drinks Reception

50min

Networking Dinner

2h 30min

Networking Refreshments

45min

Opening Remarks

Jill James, Chief Safety Officer, HSI

5min

Jill James

Jill James is Chief Safety Officer at HSI. Jill’s 30 year health and safety career includes 12 years as Senior Safety Investigator with OSHA, [...]

Keynote Presentation – Creating a Resilient EHS Culture Across Complex Operations

In a world of decentralized teams, hybrid workforces, and multi-site operations, creating a consistent and resilient safety culture is harder than ever. This keynote focuses on strategies to unify safety values and behaviors across geographic, cultural, and operational boundaries.

Discover how to foster local ownership of global safety standards, align leaders at every level, and reinforce shared accountability. Case examples from high-risk industries will illustrate what works and what doesn’t, when it comes to sustaining culture in today’s evolving work environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn ways to drive consistency without compromising local relevance
• Ways to equip frontline leaders to champion safety culture
• How to embed shared accountability through training and incentives
• How to maintain culture in remote or dispersed environments

20min

Keynote Presentation – Engaging employees to join the circle of safety

Juan Abdel Aziz, Corporate Director of Safety Health and Environmental, USA & Canada, SICE

Recent headlines about layoffs, AI replacing jobs, and potential recessions foster an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. To navigate these challenges, employees and leaders need a reliable strategy.

The Circle of Safety promotes stability through mutual reliance among workers. Trust is essential, as safe employees are more productive and resilient. However, trusting cultures require ongoing effort to maintain. While we cannot control external pressures, we can depend on a network of trusted individuals. This Circle of Safety emphasizes the need for a strong culture of trust and support in the workplace.

Leadership is a choice, not just a position. As leaders, we must prioritize creating safety and security within our organizations. By building a culture of trust and respect, we can establish a strong Circle of Safety that allows employees to thrive, even in tough times.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how prioritizing people can lead to better long-term results
• Understand that leadership is a continuous process shaped by daily actions
• Discover the importance of creating a Circle of Safety for team performance
• Find strategies to address the stresses and dangers facing your organization and team

20min

Juan Abdel Aziz

Dynamic Health, Safety, and Environment executive with over 16 years of proven success across heavy civil, transportation, general industry, Mine [...]

Keynote Presentation – De-Siloing Safety

Rob Fisher, Founder, Fisher Improvement Technologies

Too often, personal safety, process safety, psychological safety, and other areas where risk drives performance compete for resources.

There are systems, methods, processes, and tools that can be applied in any of these areas and represent the next logical step in creating sustainable, positive outcomes in Safety, Quality, Environmental, Operations, and other areas.

Rob will discuss the practical application of these systems and provide some takeaways for immediate use.

30min

Rob Fisher

Rob is a pioneer in Human and Organisational Performance and all aspects of performance improvement including incorporating the understanding of [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – Aligning Environmental Stewardship with Health and Safety Priorities

As organizations accelerate their sustainability agendas, EHS leaders are under pressure to integrate environmental goals without compromising worker safety.

This panel brings together seasoned EHS executives to explore how leading organizations are aligning their safety frameworks with environmental initiatives, from reducing emissions and waste to adopting cleaner technologies.

Panellists will discuss strategies, innovations, and lessons learned from balancing environmental responsibility with occupational health and safety excellence.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to align safety management systems with sustainability goals to drive holistic EHS performance.
• New approaches to Identifying and mitigating safety risks introduced by new environmentally driven processes, materials, and technologies.
• Ways to foster a unified culture where employees see environmental sustainability and safety as complementary values.
• Understand the Key metrics and KPIs that reflect the success of programs where sustainability and safety intersect.

30min

Networking Break

20min

Breakout Session – AI and Automation in EHS – Separating Hype from Value

Get hands on with use cases for AI in incident tracking, inspections, and compliance monitoring. Small groups will explore what’s worth piloting and what to leave on the shelf.

Key Takeaways:

• Practical use cases for AI in EHS
• How to vet vendors and platforms for real ROI
• Tips for team adoption and change management

30min

Breakout Session – From Influence to Impact: Practical Tools for Purpose-Driven Leadership

Dr. Megan Tranter, CEO and Founder, Purpose Pathfinders

This interactive breakout session dives deeper into the mechanics of purpose-driven leadership, providing attendees with actionable tools and frameworks to implement immediately.

Megan will guide participants through exercises to define their unique leadership value, communicate their vision effectively, and strategically influence outcomes.

The session will include real-world case studies, group discussions, and hands-on exercises designed to empower leaders to create tangible change in their teams and organizations.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop a clear, compelling statement that articulates your unique value as a leader.
• Learn how to use stories to inspire action, foster connection, and drive engagement across teams.
• Identify practical techniques to influence stakeholders and make an impact at every level.
• Leave the session with a personalized action plan to implement purpose-driven strategies in your leadership immediately.

30min

Dr. Megan Tranter

Founder and CEO of Purpose Pathfinders, Dr. Megan Tranter is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformation at global [...]

Breakout Session – Psychosocial Safety and Mental Health – New Frontiers in Risk Management

This interactive session will explore case studies and group exercises on identifying and addressing psychosocial hazards, from burnout to bullying and how to integrate mental health into EHS strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand new ways to predict the warning signs of psychosocial risk
• Look at new program ideas for your workforce to become stronger at psychological safety issues
• Hear about some of the tools that support you in integrating mental health into risk registers

30min

Speaking Presentation – Tackling Fatigue and Distraction in Fleet Safety Programs

Fatigue and distraction remain two of the most underreported yet deadly contributors to workplace driving incidents. With transportation, logistics, and field service teams under pressure to deliver faster and cover more ground, it’s no longer enough to rely on training alone.

This session will allow the audience to discuss strategies, technologies, and behavioral interventions to mitigate fatigue related driving risks.

The session will analyze real scenarios, evaluate monitoring solutions (including wearables, telematics, and AI), and explore ways on how best to design a culture of accountability around driver safety.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the root causes of driver fatigue and distraction—and how to spot them early
• Explore tools like real time fatigue detection, telematics, and driver engagement apps
• Look at ways to build a blueprint for fatigue risk management programs
• Learn how to involve leadership, operations, and drivers in long-term behavior change

30min

Keynote Presentation – Waste Compliance in 2025 and Beyond – Strategies to Meet Requirements and Save Time

Jenny Vance, Chief Revenue Officer, Encamp

Jason Solley, Environmental Services Director, Phoenix Children's Hospital

Environmental teams are tasked with meeting evolving waste compliance responsibilities while resources remain constrained, or even reduced.

Managing multiple hauler portals, consolidating disparate data, and ensuring compliance across different generator statuses and jurisdictions creates significant administrative burden. By streamlining waste compliance practices, environmental leaders can reclaim valuable time and create visibility for leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to quantify and communicate the hidden costs of manual waste tracking processes to gain support for systems that reduce administrative burden across facilities with varying generator statuses
• Be equipped with new strategies to build regulatory confidence and audit readiness without expanding headcount
• Look at new proactive approaches for transforming waste compliance from a reactive to a process-driven, auditable system that meets regulatory requirements

30min

Jason Solley

Bio [...]

Jenny Vance

Jenny is an accomplished entrepreneur and go-to-market leader with extensive experience helping over 350 B2B technology companies—from Fortune 50 [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – Building the Future Workforce through the Next Generation of EHS Professionals

Panelists:

Moderator:

Tyron McGurgan, CEO, Focus Network

As experienced Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals nearing retirement, organizations must focus on attracting, retaining, and developing the next generation of safety leaders. This panel will explore strategies for engaging younger professionals, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills to lead in an increasingly complex EHS landscape.

The discussion will center on how organizations can become employers of choice for emerging talent, creating pathways for long-term growth and success.

Additionally, the panel will emphasize the importance of mentorship, leadership development, and continuing education in fostering the next wave of EHS professionals. With evolving EHS roles requiring new competencies in technology, sustainability, and global risk management, organizations must adapt their strategies to nurture a diverse, skilled workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain Insight into how to make EHS roles more appealing to younger professionals, including strategies for employer branding, recruitment, and offering flexible work environments.
• Understand the emerging skills necessary for EHS leaders, from tech proficiency to knowledge of ESG, sustainability, and regulatory compliance, and how to identify and develop these competencies in rising professionals.
• Practical advice on building mentorship programs, offering growth opportunities, and supporting continuous education to help younger EHS professionals
• Understand the cultural shift in workplace dynamics and how to create an environment that aligns with the values and career expectations of younger generations entering the EHS field.

30min

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Networking Lunch

40min

Keynote Speaking Session – Building a Contractor Safety Program That Actually Works

As organizations expand their reliance on third-party contractors, the traditional “check-the-box” approach to contractor safety is no longer enough. Incidents involving contractors often reveal fragmented onboarding, inconsistent safety expectations, and limited visibility into contractor performance.

This session explores how leading EHS teams are rethinking contractor management, transforming it from a reactive compliance function into a proactive safety partnership. Drawing from experiences, we’ll dive into ways on how to build scalable contractor onboarding processes, leveraging digital platforms for visibility and accountability, and creating a culture of shared safety ownership between employees and external partners.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to prioritize high-risk contractors with tailored onboarding, assessments, and audits that match their level of exposure and complexity.
• Discover techniques to move beyond transactional relationships and embed safety expectations as part of contractual agreements and operational culture.
• Explore tools and systems for real-time visibility into contractor compliance, training status, and incident reporting across sites and vendors.
• Understand how to align contractor metrics with internal KPIs to enable cohesive reporting, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.

20min

Closing Keynote Presentation – When is it OK to Say I Disagree?

Nigel Packham, Associate Director, Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Johnson Space Center

You’re sitting in a meeting and the Program Manager/CEO/VP of Engineering – any senior leader - makes a major decision. You have been thinking about this topic for some time now and really believe that this decision involves too much risk. So, what now? Do you speak up? Do you wait until the meeting is over and talk about how bad the decision is with your closest colleagues?

At NASA, you have three choices when faced with a major decision – Agree. Disagree with the decision but be willing to fully support it.

Or disagree and register a formal dissent. That formal dissent can be appealed up to the level of the NASA Administrator.

Disagreeing with a formal decision made by a senior leader because it involves too much risk is not easy and ironically can put you at risk. However, the ability to raise an alternate opinion (less formal) or registering a formal dissent, without fear of retribution, provides the decision-maker all the requisite information to make an informed decision. Indeed, it should be common practice for the decision-maker to solicit alternate opinions before he or she selects the path forward.

Key takeaways:

• Safety leaders should recognize that there may be less risky approaches to accomplishing the same goal that they might not have thought of.
• Safety leaders should solicit alternate opinions before they make their decisions.
• In the event of an impasse, it is important to have a mechanism to resolve the differences without fear of retribution.
• Sometimes, the most junior member of staff might have more relevant experience in the decision being made.

30min

Nigel Packham

Dr. Nigel Packham is the Associate Director of NASA Johnson Space Center’s Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate and has become a [...]

Closing Remarks

Jill James, Chief Safety Officer, HSI

5min

Jill James

Jill James is Chief Safety Officer at HSI. Jill’s 30 year health and safety career includes 12 years as Senior Safety Investigator with OSHA, [...]

Farewell Networking Drinks

60min