Scope of Work
The Leadership & Management Committee aims to propel OEHS professionals' excellence through leadership skills development. The committee prepares annual goals to achieve this vision at each year's annual meeting at AIHce.
Goals and Objectives
- Promote Leadership and Management Principles
Shape and promote leadership and management principles that empower OEHS professionals and advance our profession.
- Develop Leadership Competencies
Develop leadership competencies in OEHS management and technical professionals.
- Outreach
Sponsor, create, and support high-quality conference technical sessions and professional development courses (PDCs).
- Operational Excellence
Achieve and maintain excellence in committee operations through judicious use of volunteer resources, active engagement with all related AIHA volunteer groups and staff, and formalized mentoring and development of members.
The Leadership & Management Committee is a recognized model for operational excellence within the AIHA, driven by a diverse group of dedicated and energized professionals encompassing the broad demographics of health and safety activities. Particular support is provided to AIHA Content Strategy, Item #4, IH Value Strategy/Business Case Development.
Current Projects
AIHA Industrial Hygiene Performance Metrics book update – A subcommittee consisting of 15 core members and 30 additional subject matter experts serving as authors and reviewers is updating and expanding this 2001 guide to OEHS professionals with performance metrics for our evolving profession.
Products Produced by the Group
- Series of Soft Skills Webinars (Communicating with Impact, August 2019; Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence for Occupational Health and Safety Professionals, May 2020; and Handling and Managing Conflict for Occupational Health and Safety Professionals, May 2020).
- Bridging Boomers to Zoomers Webinar, May 2021.
- Synergist articles: Committee members Celia Booth (Vice Chair) and Joy Erdman (Past Chair) prepared an article, "Comparing Codes of Ethics," that was published online on July 3, 2020, and former chair Carl Sall wrote an article on neurolinguistic programming that was published in February 2021. Bernie Fontaine prepared an article on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our profession that is pending publication. Tim Paz is preparing an article on emotional intelligence that is also pending publication.
- AIHce 2021 sessions – L&MC sponsors/co-sponsoring 10 PDCs and 22 Education Sessions at this year's conference.
Achievements/Honors/Awards
- Recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer Group (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008)
- Awarded the AIHA Shining Star Award (2022, 2021, 2019)
L&MC also nominated four individuals and one group for the 2021 AIHA Named Awards. Winners from these nominations include:
- Zack Mansdorf, PhD, CIH, CSP, QEP, FAIHA – Henry F. Smyth, Jr. Award.
- Alan Leibowitz, CIH, CSP, FAIHA – Donald E. Cummings Memorial Award.
- Safely Task Force – Social Responsibility Award.
Collaboration Efforts
- Four L&MC members, Celia Booth, Joy Erdman, Jason Kunz, and Perry Logan, supported the WIH Leadership Summit presented as a webinar in October 2020. This Summit is also being presented at AIHce 2021 as a PDC.
- Co-sponsoring a Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing Fashion Show at AIHce 2021 with the Women in Industrial Hygiene Committee.
- CPAG Serving the Changing Workforce webinar on the multigenerational workforce (Bridging Boomers to Zoomers) with Mentoring & Professional Development, Student & Early Career Professionals, and Student Local Section for a webinar to be presented in May 2021.
Group dynamics
The L & M Committee is comprised of OEHS professionals representing a diverse background of experiences. There are over 30 active members and nearly 20 corresponding members, many of which hold senior-level program oversight roles where leadership and management skills are essential. All committee members are fully engaged, participating in the monthly meetings and volunteering for the many projects and initiatives generated from within the group. The L & M Committee offers members an excellent opportunity to enhance their skill level and share personal experiences and knowledge within the committee and the AIHA membership.
Recognition
Birkner Leadership Award
The AIHA Leadership and Management Committee presents this award to honor the legacy of Ruth McIntyre Birkner and Larry Birkner and is proudly awarded to an individual exemplifying extraordinaire leadership and management.
Previous Birkner Award recipients:
- 2020 - Aileen Yankowski, MPH, CIH
- 2019 - Paul Esposito, CIH, CSP
- 2016 – David Downs, CIH, CSP, FAIHA
- 2014 – Carl O. Sall, CIH, CSP
- 2013 – Buck Cameron
- 2012 – Alan Leibowitz, CIH, CSP, FAIHA
- 2010 – Charles Redinger, PhD, MPA, CIH, FAIHA
To apply for the Birkner Leadership Award, please click here.