The Future Leaders Institute (FLI) provides critical leadership training and professional development opportunities for industrial hygiene and OEHS professionals within the first 15 years of their career, particularly in countries or organizations where such opportunities do not readily exist.
Stephen C. Davis, a visionary leader and strong advocate of the OEHS (Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety) profession, recognized the importance of investing in the next generation of OEHS professionals. He valued mentorship and believed it his obligation “to steward the next generation”.
In 2015, to carry on the legacy of preparing the next generation of OEHS leaders, the Stephen C. Davis Future Leadership Institute (FLI) Memorial Grant was established.
CONGRATS TO OUR 2022 RECIPIENTS
- Jans Babkevics (United Kingdom)
- Abel Hackman (Ghana)
- Simon Phiri (Zambia)
- Mayursinh Vaghela (India)
Memorial Grant
The Memorial Grant provides up to $1,000.00 USD in travel assistance to each of a maximum of four participants per cohort attending the AIHA Future Leaders Institute (FLI). To be eligible, attendees must live or work outside of the United States.
Application
Applicants requesting consideration for the grant must submit an additional application form to the Future Leaders Institute Application Review Committee and meet all of the following criteria:
- Have been accepted into the Future Leaders Institute program;
- Graduate degree or certificate of competency in IH/OH/OEHS by the appropriate body within the applicant’s country;
- Minimum of 5 years IH/OH/OEHS experience and present active global practice;
- Two examples of leadership and mentorship activity which demonstrate personal growth and stewardship for the next generation (e.g., committee participation, local section leadership, teaching/mentoring, community efforts, general leadership in the profession);
- Two letters of professional reference; and
- Be willing to participate in an interview by The Synergist following attendance at the Future Leaders Institute.
Selection
The Future Leaders Institute Application Review Committee performs the initial screening of potential candidates. The Grant Review Committee makes the final selection of grant recipients.
Funding Restrictions
The Stephen C. Davis Future Leaders Institute Memorial Grant was established to groom global leaders not otherwise in a position to participate in leadership development. As such, the grant helps defray travel expenses for those accepted. It is not meant to cover all expenses involved with attending the program.
At their sole discretion, the Grant Review Committee will determine the number of grant recipients; however, the number of grants awarded for any given Future Leaders cohort is limited to four.
- Each grant recipient will receive travel support up to $1,000.00 USD.
- Flights must be booked through the AIHA’s official travel partner 45 days before the start of the FLI Program.
- Other travel-related expenses (i.e., Visa application, preferred seat selection/upgrade, parking, baggage fees, ground transportation (taxis and/or rental car), and other incidentals) will not be reimbursed.
Memorial Grant and the FLI
In the event that AIHA dissolves, the Future Leadership Institute, the Grant Committee, and the Executive Director of AIHA or their respective designees will determine the future of the Memorial Grant disbursements. The use of this Memorial Grant will remain exclusively “to steward the next generation.”
We would like to acknowledge and thank the generous private and corporate donors who fund this important grant.
Questions? Please contact Thursa Pecoraro.
Learn More About the Life of Stephen C. Davis
Stephen Charles Davis was a first-rate occupational and environmental health professional, with a career reflecting more than forty-five years of technical, managerial, and consulting experience in the environmental and occupational/community health and safety fields in a broad cross-section of military, government, insurance, industry, and consulting sectors.
A visionary, he proved to be extremely skilled in developing people and processes within organizations. He never failed to share his knowledge and guidance with generosity, thoughtfulness, and an ability to facilitate others’ growth and success. He strongly believed in “carrying it forward” and often encouraged those who learned from him and with him to nurture other colleagues.
Military & Insurance – His career began in 1964 in the military in the field of preventative medicine with assignments in Washington, Korea, and Thailand. In 1968, he joined the California State Compensation Insurance Fund, starting its first industrial hygiene program. During this period, he also earned a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree in Environmental Sciences/Industrial Hygiene at the University of California at Berkeley, served on the first Cal/OSHA Health Standards Advisory Board, and earned his Certification in the Comprehensive Practice of Industrial Hygiene (CIH) from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and his Certification as a Safety Professional by the American Board of Safety Professionals.
Mining & Environment – In 1976, Mr. Davis joined the Environmental Quality Department at Utah International, a subsidiary of Brokers Hill Proprietors (BHP), Inc. as the Corporate Manager of Industrial Hygiene. He designed and implemented the environmental and occupational health programs for aragonite, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, and uranium mines in the US, Canada, Chile, Mali, New Zealand, and Australia, often instrumental in setting up the corporation’s first industrial hygiene/environmental programs and “growing” their professional capability. He served as Chairman of the Carcinogen Subcommittee for the American Mining Congress, planned and moderated seminars in Washington D.C. and at UC Berkeley on quantitative risk assessment, and published numerous articles on health and safety program development in the mining industry. Unafraid of new challenges, he also managed the corporate Human Resources responsibilities of compensation, medical services, organizational staffing, and development.
Consulting & Litigation – In 1990, Mr. Davis joined Health Science Associates (HSA) as Senior Vice President. During his 12 years with HSA, he diversified the Northern California client base to include industrial hygiene/environmental services for organizations such as Space Systems/Loral, US Mint, FAA, National Park Service, and large commercial and residential property management firms.
In June 2002, Mr. Davis co-founded the firm of LaCroix Pryor Davis, LLC. In 2004, the firm was restructured, and the name was changed to LaCroix Davis, LLC. He managed the very successful environmental division in Lafayette, California and continued to serve as a senior consultant to academic, governmental, and industrial clients and to function as an expert witness in asbestos, benzene, lead, mold, and other toxics litigation.
Professional, Public Service & Teaching – Throughout his career, he volunteered as a technical expert on Local, State, and National committees. He served on the City and County of San Francisco’s Lead Hazard Reduction Citizens Advisory Committee, on the Cal/OSHA Special Emphasis Program on Lead in the Construction Industry, and on curriculum advisory committees for UC Berkeley Extension, Hazardous Materials Management Program. He was honored by the Board of Supervisors, City & County of San Francisco, in public recognition of his outstanding service to the people of the City and County in Working for a Healthy Environment. He was also an instructor on hazardous materials at UC Berkeley Extension for more than twenty years. And if that was not enough, he served as president of the Northern California Section (NCS)-AIHA in the late 1970s-early 1980s during a period of tremendous membership growth, and, more recently, he served as incoming president of the Yuma Pacific Southwest Section (YPSW)-AIHA. He was awarded the honor of Fellow in 2009, a designation bestowed on those nationally who have made significant contributions to the practice of industrial hygiene and/or related disciplines.
On a personal note, Stephen, married to fellow professional, Chris Laszcz-Davis, proved to be a first-rate husband, soul mate, and best friend, as well as a superb Dad to their children, Lauren and Grant; son-in-law, James; daughter-in-law, Jenelle; and Grandfather to Luke.