Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for OEHS Professionals Virtual Conference Session Recording Package

As an OEHS professional, it is not enough to focus on what to communicate, but also how we communicate. Emotional intelligence is defined as the capacity to be aware of, manage, and express emotions, as well as handle interpersonal relationships. This presentation will provide tools the OEHS professional can use to become more aware of their feelings and emotions, understand the feelings and emotions of others, and manage relationships. Emotional intelligence can be an advocate in the effective handling of disputes, improve decision-making, and improve emotional and mental well-being.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Define Emotional Intelligence and its core components.
• Implement strategies and tools to enhance self-awareness for improved emotional management.
• Utilize various tools to effectively manage and regulate personal emotions.
• Apply techniques and tools to cultivate a better understanding of others' emotions and perspectives.
• Implement strategies and tools to build and manage healthy and productive relationships with others.

Presenter

Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH | Social Concerns Committee
Reg is the Global EHS Manager, Occupational Health at Meta Platforms, Inc. In this role, he is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and programs to enhance the health and well-being of Meta’s workforce. Prior to joining Meta, Reg was a safety and wellness leader at Walt Disney World, serving at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. His experience also includes working at both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration with the Department of Labor, and serving in the U.S. Army as an environmental sciences officer. Reg holds a B.S. in physical sciences from Kansas State University, an M.S. in Occupational Health and a graduate certificate in Psychology from Purdue University, and a Doctor of Public Health degree from George Washington University. His research focused on the relationship between safety climate, trust, and perceived risk and their impact on the motivation of first responders to report to work during an influenza pandemic. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and a member of AIHA, the Society for Occupational Health Psychology, and the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

This session will encourage vital introspection, prompting us to assess our practices and policies for potential biases that may perpetuate unequal safety outcomes. Embracing our influence, we'll utilize available data to analyze job fatality statistics, gaining a profound understanding of challenges faced by minorities in workplace safety. From this foundation, we'll engage in empowering discussions about everyday actions we can take to foster an inclusive and equitable safety culture within our organizations. Together, we'll explore innovative approaches and amplify the voices of minority workers, striving towards a safer and more inclusive work environment for everyone.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Analyze challenges and job fatality statistics related to minorities in the workplace.
• Assess the impact of OEHS professionals on workplace safety for minorities.
• Formulate actionable strategies to reduce negative impacts, amplify, and advocate for more equitable workplace safety.

Presenter

Jennifer M.T. Hsu, MPH, CSP | Women in IH Committee
Jennifer has a solid record of leadership and activism with the Women in Industrial Hygiene (WIH) Committee and as a founder of Chapter Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Committee for the American Society of Safety Professionals – Central Texas Chapter. Jennifer has been an active member of the WIH Outreach Subcommittee since its founding in 2018. She took on a leadership role as WIH Outreach Subcommittee Chair in 2020, Secretary-Elect while concurrently leading the Outreach Subcommittee in 2021, and Secretary in 2022 and now 2023. Through moderating the open discussion on Job Fatalities and Minority Populations, Jennifer hopes to open the conversation regarding this often-sensitive topic, promote engagement, and provide a platform for members to lend their voice and activism on issues related to this topic.

In this session, we delve deep into the critical issue of microaggressions and unconscious bias in the workplace, with a specific focus on their profound impact on worker health and safety. Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination that can lead to a toxic work environment, while unconscious bias influences decision-making in ways that perpetuate inequitable treatment. Both phenomena have far-reaching consequences on employee well-being and safety, affecting productivity, job satisfaction, and overall organizational performance. This session aims to raise awareness, foster empathy, and equip participants with practical strategies to foster a more inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Recognize the concept of microaggressions and unconscious bias in the workplace.
• Comprehend the connection between worker health, safety, and workplace discrimination.
• Appreciate the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment.
• Acquire practical tools to address and combat microaggressions and unconscious bias.
• Develop action plans for promoting worker health and safety through inclusivity.

Presenter

Eva Glosson | PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group
Eva is an industrial hygienist and researcher from the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Eva has 15 years of experience assessing a variety of worksites for occupational safety and health concerns and has studied occupational fatalities under a grant from NIOSH, including the prevalence of occupational homicides as the leading cause of occupational death for many women throughout the United States and across industries. Eva has a BS in Geoscience and an MS in Engineering with a concentration in Occupational Safety and Health, both from Middle Tennessee State University. They have also gone back to school specifically to study workplace violence under the academic umbrella of psychology. Eva has a passion for workplace violence, in a professional academic way, and hopes to continue researching this field and helping workplaces understand this hazard so workers aren't harmed from preventable violence.

Ivan Pacheco | Minority Special Interest Group
Ivan is an accomplished industrial hygienist with significant experience in mining operations and aerospace. He is from Utah and currently resides in Seattle Washington. Ivan has a true passion for industrial hygiene, all things occupational health and safety, and helping people and companies succeed. He has been fortunate enough to learn from other industrial hygienists throughout his career as well as collaborate as a member of the AIHA MSIG. He strives to help implement, drive, and sustain a healthy and safe work culture in all facets and is also an advocate for psychological safety in the workplace.

In this session, we delve into the concept of code switching and its profound impact on worker health and safety in the workplace. Code switching refers to the practice of adjusting one's language, behavior, and communication style to conform to different cultural or social contexts, often to fit into the prevailing norms or avoid discrimination. While it can be a coping mechanism, code switching can also lead to feelings of dissonance, stress, and mental exhaustion for employees, ultimately affecting their well-being and safety. This session aims to raise awareness, facilitate open dialogue, and equip participants with strategies to foster a workplace environment that embraces authenticity and ensures the physical and mental well-being of all employees.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the concept of code switching and its relevance in the workplace.
• Recognize the impact of code switching on worker health and safety.
• Explore the intersections of code switching with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
• Implement policies and practices that prioritize worker health and safety through authenticity.

Presenter

April Melinda Clayton Ph.D., MPH, CHMM (she/her/hers) | PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group, Minority Special Interest Group, Social Concerns Committee
April is a public health practitioner passionate about occupational, environmental, and animal health. She is an Environmental Science Officer in the Army National Guard and previously the Senior Research Safety Manager at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is a certified hazardous materials manager (CHMM) and has a PhD in biological sciences from Johns Hopkins and a MPH in occupational and environmental health from Tulane. She will soon pursue a degree in veterinary medicine at Cornell. She is currently the chair of the Minority Significant Interest Group, the chair of Biological and Environmental Microbiology Committee, the vice chair of the Social Concerns Committee, and the secretary of Pr(IH)de.

In partnership with LeanIn, McKinsey & Company published a 2022 Women in the Workplace report, which focuses on many aspects of women in corporate America. During this session, we will discuss elements of their report that highlight the growing importance of opportunity, flexibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Barriers exist for underrepresented groups, and we will discuss how organizational planning and employment pipelining is impacted when foundational elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion are not addressed. We will share insights from the report, and provide a deeper discussion on how to leverage findings from this report when discussing and integrating DEI initiatives into the OEHS profession.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Analyze key insights from the 2022 Women in the Workplace report, focusing on its implications for workplace dynamics and gender equality.
• Examine statistical data from reputable industry sources, like the BLS, to explore the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the industry regarding pipeline planning and discuss potential impacts on diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrate how Occupational, Environmental, Health, and Safety (OEHS) professionals and organizational leaders can effectively leverage insights and resources from the Women in the Workplace report to initiate meaningful discussions and implement actionable steps that promote a more inclusive and equitable workplace environment.

Presenters

Christina Roll, MS, CIH, CSP | Women in IH Committee
Christina has over two decades of experience as an occupational health and safety (OHS) professional, working in OHS consulting, Safety Management & Leadership for our US Marine Corps, and as a Risk Engineer / Risk Consultant for global insurance carriers. In her current role as a Casualty Risk Consultant with AXA XL, Christina works with clients in a wide variety of industries to help identify and mitigate business and operational risks. Her areas of expertise include ergonomics, industrial hygiene, government regulation compliance, training, and workplace risk assessments. Christina has a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within her field. She is a volunteer member and leader with the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) promoting DEI actions within the safety and health profession, as well as supporting and encouraging the promotion of women at all levels. She participates in a Business Resource Group at AXA XL whose mission is to help cultivate women leaders, drive gender equity, and foster a more inclusive culture. Christina earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has earned several awards and recognitions, including a Marquis “Who’s Who in America Top Professional” for 2022-2023, an EHS Daily Advisor “Faces of EHS” Best of 2022, an Avetta Fellow, the 2023 AIHA Women in Industrial Hygiene “Aileen Yankoswki Leadership Award,” and the 2023 ASSP Women In Safety Excellence “Safety Professional of the Year.”

Katie Stryker, CIH | Women in IH Committee
Katie is an assistant vice president of Risk Control at CNA. In this role, she is responsible for advancing technical skills and enhancing consultative services and resources within the workers’ compensation and auto lines of insurance coverage. Prior to this role, she was an industrial hygiene director at CNA, leading technical and consultative skill development in the field of occupational health and safety for the department. Katie is a certified industrial hygienist with over 15 years of professional safety expertise. She currently resides in Bloomington, Indiana and earned her Masters of Safety in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelors of Science in Occupational Health from Purdue University.

The first element of DEI is diversity. But what happens when an organization is strategic in their hiring efforts to attract and employ a diverse workforce, but does not consider equitable solutions for ensuring the safety of these workers? Join this session for a discussion on how Melanie Adams, founder of Embher, a FR-clothing company for women, stepped up to the challenge of creating a product to ensure women can work safely. We will also discuss how to consider and plan for equitable solutions in your workplace.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Examine recent advancements and initiatives in creating a more equitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) landscape for all workers.
• Analyze the challenges faced by women and other underrepresented individuals in accessing suitable PPE solutions, and explore how these challenges contribute to an inequitable workplace environment.
• Utilize the insights gathered from Melanie's story and the discussions in this session to facilitate meaningful conversations within your organization about the importance of providing equitable PPE solutions for all workers and ways to implement such measures effectively.

Presenters

Melanie Adams
Melanie is a proud Colorado native and spent 18 years working for a major oil and gas company in Denver. She has had a variety of roles in Administrative, Permitting & Regulatory and Environmental Health & Safety. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Master's degree in Environmental Policy - Natural Resource Management from the University of Denver. Melanie has long known about an industry problem facing women, and after her departure from Corporate in 2019, has launched her company, Embher, one of the first brands of flame-resistant clothing (FRC) designed specifically for women. Having spent a lot of time in the field in scratchy, ill-fitting FRC that looks like men's wear, she decided to solve the problem and design her own comfortable and professionally appropriate FRC for women. She enjoys golfing, fly fishing, hiking, and traveling with her husband Jamie.

Albert Moore | PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group & Minority Special Interest Group
Albert is currently earning a PhD in Occupational Ergonomics & Biomechanics from the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. Albert's research interests include exoskeleton adoption strategies and how exoskeletons impact productivity, work capacity, and interact with gender. Previously, Albert has worked as an Ergonomist, Industrial Hygienist, and Laser Safety Officer, solving a broad range of health and safety issues in manufacturing, laboratory, and office environments. Albert now serves as Ergonomics Committee Chair with the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Albert is passionate about helping people design and sustain safe and healthy workplaces with systems thinking.

Katie Stryker, CIH | Women in IH Committee
Katie is an assistant vice president of Risk Control at CNA. In this role, she is responsible for advancing technical skills and enhancing consultative services and resources within the workers’ compensation and auto lines of insurance coverage. Prior to this role, she was an industrial hygiene director at CNA, leading technical and consultative skill development in the field of occupational health and safety for the department. Katie is a certified industrial hygienist with over 15 years of professional safety expertise. She currently resides in Bloomington, Indiana and earned her Masters of Safety in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelors of Science in Occupational Health from Purdue University.

Join this session to foster a meaningful discussion about the present and future of DEI within the OEHS landscape. We will examine the current local, state, and federal status of DEI efforts within the OEHS field and the role AIHA plays in this context. Be part of the conversation that shapes the direction of AIHA's DEI efforts, ensuring that our community remains at the forefront of driving positive change in workplace health and safety.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Examine the current status of DEI efforts within the OEHS field and the role AIHA plays in this context.
• Analyze the significance of governmental legislation in the pursuit of DEI goals.
• Identify potential areas where the community could take collective action to further DEI objectives.
• Explore the balance between advancing DEI goals and other organizational priorities, understanding the importance of thoughtful and strategic decision-making.
• Utilize a curated repository of resources for further information.

Moderator

Justine Parker, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CPH | AIHA Board of Directors
Justine has over 20 years of experience in industrial hygiene, exposure assessment, occupational health, and global emergency response to occupational hazards. She began her industrial hygiene career at NASA – Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and in the Gulf Coast region and an OEHS consultant. Her career in occupational health and safety includes conducting and managing assessments, designing health and safety programs, incident response, risk communication, and evaluating federal, state, and local compliance regarding hazard exposures and human health risks in manufacturing facilities, oil & gas, construction, hospitals, federal facilities, and private businesses. In addition, she brings expertise in microbial work involving mold, SARs-CoV-2, Ebola, and Anthrax risks. Justine is a Principal Science Advisor at Stantec ChemRisk in Boulder, Colorado and a current Director at Large for AIHA.

Presenter

Riley Cagle | AIHA
Riley has been working in government and government relations since 2014, when he interned for the Pennsylvania State Senate. He began his career in politics as a Pennsylvania-based administrative employee of the Republican National Committee in 2020. After the election, Riley moved to Washington D.C. in 2021, and he has since worked as a legislative analyst, fundraiser, political director, intern for three U.S. Representatives, and a government affairs assistant for a national trade association. Riley has been serving as the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Advocacy Associate since April of 2023, where he focuses on state and federal occupational, environmental, health and safety policy. Riley holds a B.S. in Public Policy from Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College, where he served as student body president and was awarded the Dr. Dwayne A. Hilton Illumination Award for outstanding student leadership in 2020.

Panelists

Donna Heidel, MS, CIH, FAIHA | AIHA Fellows
Donna is the Principal Industrial Hygiene Risk Manager for Amazon. In her role, she supports the design of building mechanical systems and the specification, installation, and operation of equipment to ensure that worker exposures to industrial hygiene hazards are controlled to acceptable levels of risk. She also serves on the AIHA board of directors as Past President. Prior to her employment with Amazon, she served as the IH practice leader for a consulting company, coordinated the Prevention through Design program at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and directed IH and occupational toxicology at a major pharmaceutical company. She holds an MS in Industrial Hygiene, is certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (CIH), and is an AIHA fellow.

Christina Roll, MS, CIH, CSP | Women in IH Committee
Christina has over two decades of experience as an occupational health and safety (OHS) professional, working in OHS consulting, Safety Management & Leadership for our US Marine Corps, and as a Risk Engineer / Risk Consultant for global insurance carriers. In her current role as a Casualty Risk Consultant with AXA XL, Christina works with clients in a wide variety of industries to help identify and mitigate business and operational risks. Her areas of expertise include ergonomics, industrial hygiene, government regulation compliance, training, and workplace risk assessments. Christina has a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within her field. She is a volunteer member and leader with the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) promoting DEI actions within the safety and health profession, as well as supporting and encouraging the promotion of women at all levels. She participates in a Business Resource Group at AXA XL whose mission is to help cultivate women leaders, drive gender equity, and foster a more inclusive culture. Christina earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has earned several awards and recognitions, including a Marquis “Who’s Who in America Top Professional” for 2022-2023, an EHS Daily Advisor “Faces of EHS” Best of 2022, an Avetta Fellow, the 2023 AIHA Women in Industrial Hygiene “Aileen Yankoswki Leadership Award,” and the 2023 ASSP Women In Safety Excellence “Safety Professional of the Year.”

Holly Rowland | Women in IH Committee & PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group
Holly is a graduate student attending the University of Iowa in pursuit of her Masters of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene. She is the current Vice President of the Occupational and Environmental Health Student Association at Iowa. With that position, she has advocated for inclusivity and connectedness to better foster relationships in the department and college. Holly obtained her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health at the University of Rochester, where she also held multiple leadership positions. As an emerging Industrial Hygienist, she is passionate about transforming workplaces to be a safe space for all.

Have you heard before that professional women and minorities tend to be less likely to self-promote compared to their white, male counterparts? Join this session to find out the reasons behind this gap and explore some useful tools to support your self-promotion journey. What is a “Professional Portfolio,” you ask? It is a collection of documents or artifacts that support and validate claims one makes about themselves in various settings such as job interviews and promotions. This crucial career tool will give you a practical way to promote yourself, help you stick out as a deserving candidate, and build a strong case when you are ready to pursue any type of career move. Come to discuss the benefits and develop one for yourself.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the factors influencing why women and minorities may be less likely to self-promote compared to their white, male counterparts, and how this impacts their career advancement.
• Identify practical tips and tools for effective self-promotion, with a special emphasis on exploring the benefits and components of a Professional Portfolio.
• Examine real-life examples of Professional Portfolios tailored for Occupational, Environmental, Health, and Safety (OEHS) Professionals, gaining insights into their content and structure.
• Engage in discussions on the various scenarios where a Professional Portfolio can be utilized to enhance career growth and how to maximize its advantages in achieving professional goals.

Presenters

Isabel Bacarella (Zuclich), MPH, CIH, CSP | Women in IH Committee
Isabel is the Corporate Manager of Occupational Hygiene at Enbridge where she oversees the Industrial Hygiene portfolios of the liquid and gas pipeline, gas utility, and power/renewable operations since 2019. She also has an additional 8 years of technical and leadership experience in EHS Manager roles at PPG from the Specialty Coatings and Aerospace chemical manufacturing business operations. She earned her MPH from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a degree in Environmental Health: Industrial Hygiene and Hazardous Substances Management and a BS degree in Marine Science / Biology from the University of Miami. Isabel has been an active AIHA volunteer since 2010 including involvement in the Career and Employment Services (CES) Committee, Women in IH, and the Gulf Coast Local Section. Her most notable AIHA volunteerism contributions include serving in the 4-year officer rotation on the CES Committee, conducting various AIHce EXP (now AIHA CONNECT) conference presentations (e.g., Soft Skills in IH, Building a Career Portfolio, and Wildfire Smoke Standards, WIH Careers), and a member of AIHA’s Future Leaders Institute (FLI). Isabel is passionate about representation of underserved populations, such as women and minorities, within our profession.

Bill Nichols, CIH, CSP, CHMM | Career and Employment Services Committee
Bill has more than 30 years of experience in the petroleum, healthcare, consulting, semiconductor device and semiconductor equipment manufacturing, and data center industries. Bill has served on the AIHA-sponsored Career and Employment Services Committee for more than 20 years and has supported the IH community by working with members and student members on career development, career enhancement, and job-seeking skills. Bill has also supported multiple local AIHA local sections serving as an officer or speaker, and has been an avid community volunteer serving in many capacities. Most importantly, Bill has been husband to his wife Becky for more than 31 years and together they have four (4) adult children.

Explore the transformative impact of workplace ally training on the OEHS profession. An ally is an individual who actively supports and advocates for marginalized or underrepresented groups to create a more inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe work environment. In the OEHS field, allyship plays a crucial role in promoting diversity, addressing health and safety disparities, and fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and creativity. This session will uncover the significance of ally training, demonstrating how it enhances the OEHS profession and contributes to the well-being and safety of all employees.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the concept of workplace allyship in the context of OEHS.
• Recognize the positive impact of ally training on organization culture and safety.
• Learn the skills and strategies for effective allyship in the OEHS profession.
• Cultivate a workplace culture that embraces allyship and diversity.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing for improved OEHS outcomes.

Presenter

A. Michael Ierardi, MES, MS, CIH | PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group
Michael is a Senior Supervising Health Scientist with Stantec ChemRisk in the Brooklyn office. He is a board-certified industrial hygienist whose principal areas of expertise, interest, and training include industrial hygiene and safety, exposure science, environmental health, and human health risk assessment. At Stantec ChemRisk, Mr. Ierardi provides on-site industrial hygiene support and sampling; conducts exposure assessments and dose reconstructions for a variety of chemicals in a diverse array of occupational and non-occupational settings; and routinely assists clients with risk management and risk communication strategies. Michael graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Hispanic Studies in 2013, as well as with a Master of Environmental Studies degree, with a concentration in Environmental Health, in 2014. He also graduated with a Master of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (SPH) in 2020 and is currently pursuing his PhD in Environmental and Planetary Health Sciences at CUNY SPH. He is the current Chair of AIHA’s PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group.

In the words of John Howard, Director of NIOSH, "When workers can thrive in their jobs, it positively impacts our families and our communities." But what does THRIVE look like? What does to “prosper” or “flourish” look like to a worker? Can we agree that it might look and feel different depending on who is asking, and who is answering that question? What are the obstacles to getting there? How can OEHS professionals learn, embrace, and implement the concepts, principles, tools and questions to promote equity and inclusion in workplaces to the benefit of all?

Join us as we close out the week by reflecting on the stories and data shared by our speakers, unpack where we currently stand and where we want to go – as individuals, organizations, and businesses, and set our sights on practical next steps for improving access to occupational equity within our profession.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

• Analyze diverse perspectives on what flourishing or prosperity means to different workers and how it can vary based on individual experiences and contexts.
• Identify and assess the barriers and challenges hindering individuals from achieving a state of thriving in their professional environments.
• Equip OEHS (Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety) professionals with the understanding, principles, tools, and questions necessary to promote equity and inclusion within workplaces.
• Reflect on the stories and empirical data shared by speakers to evaluate the current landscape and envision future goals for personal, organizational, and business development in fostering occupational equity.
• Develop actionable steps and strategies for improving access to occupational equity within the OEHS profession, setting a course for practical implementation and advancement in the field.

Moderator

Hilarie Warren, CIH | Social Concerns Committee
Hilarie is the Director of the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Georgia Tech, one of the non-profit organizations authorized by OSHA to deliver occupational safety and health training for all levels of workers and employers, which also administers the OSHA Outreach Training program for 10- and 30-hour classes. With a background in public health, biology, and political science, Ms. Warren served as an industrial hygiene consultant with the OSHA 21(d) Safety and Health Consultation Program at Georgia Tech for 15 years, assisting businesses throughout Georgia to ensure that workplaces were as free from hazards as possible and that workers, their families, and the community at large are protected from potential health threats. She has several areas of technical scientific expertise, including minimizing exposures in the construction industry to excessive heat/hot working conditions, heavy metals and respirable crystalline silica, and has managed several projects involving outreach to temporary workers, young, and those in precarious work environments. As the current chair of the Social Concerns Committee, she is honored to work in conjunction with, and learn from, other AIHA committees and community members to expand equitable access, share best practices, and deepen the understanding and definition of what it means to protect worker health.

Panelists

Jennifer M.T. Hsu, MPH, CSP | Women in IH Committee
Jennifer has a solid record of leadership and activism with the Women in Industrial Hygiene (WIH) Committee and as a founder of Chapter Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Committee for the American Society of Safety Professionals – Central Texas Chapter. Jennifer has been an active member of the WIH Outreach Subcommittee since its founding in 2018. She took on a leadership role as WIH Outreach Subcommittee Chair in 2020, Secretary-Elect while concurrently leading the Outreach Subcommittee in 2021, and Secretary in 2022 and now 2023. Through moderating the open discussion on Job Fatalities and Minority Populations, Jennifer hopes to open the conversation regarding this often-sensitive topic, promote engagement, and provide a platform for members to lend their voice and activism on issues related to this topic.

A. Michael Ierardi, MES, MS, CIH | PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group
Michael is a Senior Supervising Health Scientist with Stantec ChemRisk in the Brooklyn office. He is a board-certified industrial hygienist whose principal areas of expertise, interest, and training include industrial hygiene and safety, exposure science, environmental health, and human health risk assessment. At Stantec ChemRisk, Mr. Ierardi provides on-site industrial hygiene support and sampling; conducts exposure assessments and dose reconstructions for a variety of chemicals in a diverse array of occupational and non-occupational settings; and routinely assists clients with risk management and risk communication strategies. Michael graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Hispanic Studies in 2013, as well as with a Master of Environmental Studies degree, with a concentration in Environmental Health, in 2014. He also graduated with a Master of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (SPH) in 2020 and is currently pursuing his PhD in Environmental and Planetary Health Sciences at CUNY SPH. He is the current Chair of AIHA’s PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group.

Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH | Social Concerns Committee
Reg is the Global EHS Manager, Occupational Health at Meta Platforms, Inc. In this role, he is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and programs to enhance the health and well-being of Meta’s workforce. Prior to joining Meta, Reg was a safety and wellness leader at Walt Disney World, serving at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. His experience also includes working at both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration with the Department of Labor, and serving in the U.S. Army as an environmental sciences officer. Reg holds a B.S. in physical sciences from Kansas State University, an M.S. in Occupational Health and a graduate certificate in Psychology from Purdue University, and a Doctor of Public Health degree from George Washington University. His research focused on the relationship between safety climate, trust, and perceived risk and their impact on the motivation of first responders to report to work during an influenza pandemic. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and a member of AIHA, the Society for Occupational Health Psychology, and the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology.