Previewing the Keynote Speakers at AIHA Connect 2025
AIHA Connect 2025 spotlights keynote speakers David Finch and Evy Poumpouras, who will inspire attendees with bold perspectives on neurodiversity, fearless leadership, and the future of work.
- By Stasia DeMarco, David Kopf
- May 09, 2025
AIHA Connect 2025 is set to feature two compelling keynote speakers who will challenge attendees to rethink inclusion, leadership, and the future of work. Through their unique stories and insights, David Finch and Evy Poumpouras will deliver powerful messages aimed at inspiring industrial hygiene and safety professionals to lead with intention, empathy, and strength.
Kicking off the conference on Monday, May 19, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. ET, David Finch will present Harnessing the Power of a Neurodiverse Workforce. Finch is an accomplished author, engineer, and neurodiversity advocate whose work is grounded in both personal experience and professional expertise. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2008, Finch embarked on a path of self-discovery that not only transformed his personal life but also redefined his approach to professional collaboration and leadership.
Finch’s keynote will explore the strategic benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace. With a background that spans semiconductor engineering, software development, and Fortune 500 marketing, he brings practical, real-world strategies for managing and empowering neurodiverse teams. His message is clear: recognizing and nurturing the unique talents of neurodivergent individuals isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about unlocking the full potential of the workforce. Finch believes that virtually every organization with more than two employees is already neurodiverse, and he challenges leaders to harness that diversity as a competitive advantage.
Closing the conference on Wednesday, May 21, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. ET, Evy Poumpouras will take the stage with her keynote, Bulletproof Strategies for Leading Fearlessly. A former Secret Service special agent, current law enforcement contributor for NBC, and adjunct professor at the City University of New York, Poumpouras brings a unique blend of high-stakes experience and thoughtful leadership to the conversation. Having broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, she draws from her career to demonstrate how strength, resilience, and effective communication are essential to leadership today.
Poumpouras’s keynote will provide attendees with actionable methods for building a fearless mindset, filtering out distractions, and approaching workplace challenges with confidence and clarity. Whether in law enforcement, academia, or any other profession, her strategies for solution-based thinking and resilient leadership are universally applicable—and especially timely in today’s fast-changing work environment.
Together, Finch and Poumpouras represent two very different, yet deeply complementary, perspectives on how professionals can evolve their approach to work, communication, and leadership. AIHA Connect 2025 attendees will leave these keynote sessions with not only inspiration but also the tools to apply bold, inclusive, and forward-thinking strategies in their organizations.
About the Authors
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.
David Kopf is the publisher and executive editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.