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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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