NSC Honors Young Leaders as Its 2023 ‘Rising Stars of Safety’

Thirty-six professionals were recognized for outstanding contributions to workplace safety.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Oct 04, 2023

The National Safety Council (NSC) announced its 14th class of Rising Stars of Safety, an honor given to professionals under 40 years old who have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing safety protocols in the workplace. The 36 individuals acknowledged this year have been instrumental in fostering safety improvements and driving initiatives with tangible results.

“These 36 safety leaders, representing eight countries and a wide range of industries, are truly the best and brightest in safety,” NSC President and CEO Lorraine Martin said in a statement. “Through innovation, collaboration and communication, they have helped create safer workplaces and enabled people to live their fullest lives — both on and off the job. Though we know these leaders did not choose their profession for the accolades, they deserve our celebration and recognition.”

Sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company, the Rising Stars of Safety Award winners will be recognized at the National Awards Celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in New Orleans. The full list of honorees is below.

• Fahed Ahmed AlAwadhi, Director, Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department, Dubai Municipality
• Mohamed AlMarzooqi, Head of Accident Investigation Team, Health and Safety Dept., Dubai Municipality
• Ali Ayub, Process Safety Engineer, Vantage Specialty Chemicals
• Srikanth Bangaru, Director of Construction Technology, Inncircles Technologies Inc.
• Mark Brogan, EHS Manager, APAC, Netflix Inc.
• Cory Buchanan, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Boeing
• Natalie Centeno, Athletic Trainer, Pivot Onsite Innovations
• Austin Clary, Safety Engineer, Jacobs
• Sean Davis, Industrial Hygienist, North Carolina State University
• Raffi F. Elchemmas, Executive Director, Safety, Health, and Risk Management, Mechanical Contractors Association of America
• Paul Ferrara, EHS Leader, Owens Corning
• Raven Foster, Biosafety Officer, Houston Health Department
• Ali Raza Ghori, Deputy Manager HSE, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Co.
• Taylor Goyke, Division Safety Manager, Clark Construction
• Ryan Gunther, Regional HSE Manager, Ampirical Solutions
• Corey Hayes, Safety Director, Alberici Constructors
• Ryan Holsopple, SH&E Specialist, Nutrien
• Carissa Imrecke, Hospital Quality Manager, Memorial Hermann Health System – Sugarland Hospital
• Delaney Jaworski, Senior WHS RME Lead, GDS/ATS, Amazon
• Samuel Lilly, Senior Safety Manager, Rosendin
• Rachel Michaud, Occupational Safety & Health Specialist, The Boeing Co.
• Thomas Mihalic, EHS&S Consultant, Corteva Agriscience
• Amy Mika, Manager – Safety, Health & Environment, Ecolab
• Tech. Sgt. Jalleshia Miller, Occupational Safety Technician, U.S. Air Force
• Katie Mulligan, Research Scientist/Reactive Chemicals Subject Matter Expert, The Dow Chemical Co.
• Angelica Nava-Gutierrez, Regional EHS Manager, Cardinal Health
• Chuma Nnaji, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
• Mansoor Poozhithodi, Senior HSE Engineer, Kent PLC
• Jordan Roberts, Senior Safety Engineer, Cummins
• Courtney Smith, Occupational Safety and Industrial Hygiene Program Manager, Central Plateau Cleanup Co.
• Jamie Sydykova, Safety Specialist, City of Rockville
• Adam Tallman, Occupational Safety Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, U.S. Air Force
• Carlos Umana, Regional EHS Manager, Swire Coca-Cola
• Robert Vannice, Senior Industrial Hygienist, Amazon
• Nathaniel Winkelmann, Corporate Safety Director, Hartung Glass Industries
• Denny Yu, Associate Professor, Purdue University