Stephanie L. Johnson, CSP, CHMM, is a director-at-large on the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Board of Directors, where she also serves in a dual leadership capacity as a trustee of the ASSP Foundation, the Society’s philanthropic arm dedicated to advancing safety through education and research. With over two decades of experience in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) leadership, Johnson has led EHS divisions across a wide range of industries, including transportation, construction, semiconductor, utilities, telecommunications, and manufacturing. Her leadership in director-level roles has encompassed corporate oversight of EHS standards, training and governance, with a focus on identifying systemic gaps, addressing emerging concerns, and responding to regulatory changes. She has also contributed to the development of both state and federal EHS regulations, reinforcing her impact at the policy level. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and maintains professional certifications in both safety (CSP) and environmental (CHMM) disciplines. A committed ASSP member since 2007, she has held multiple leadership roles within Region III and the Blacks in Safety Excellence Advisory Committee. Her contributions extend to key Society initiatives, including the Professional Development Conference Planning Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit Planning Committee, and the Artificial Intelligence Task Force, demonstrating her commitment to innovation, inclusion and professional advancement within the safety community.
As an advocate for the advancement of the EHS professional, I am honored to seek the role of senior vice president of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). My platform is rooted in strategic growth, member development, academic collaboration, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that ASSP remains a dynamic force in shaping the future of workplace safety by:
- Fostering workforce development strengths of ASSP for our profession and the professionals who we serve.
- Enhancing professional development programs that address emerging issues such as AI to equip professionals with key skills to lead an evolving industry.
- Supporting mentorship and leadership training to cultivate the next generation.
- Enhancing the recognition of ASSP members as trusted advisors by offering development programs that prepare them to be safety leaders who advise on business leaders and operations for overall organizational success. Continued university partnerships innovation begins with collaboration.
- Strengthening partnerships between ASSP and academic institutions to promote impactful safety research.
- Encouraging joint initiatives that address emerging risks such as automation, robotics and psychosocial hazards.
- Supporting student engagement through scholarships, internships and research grants. ABET-accredited programs are essential to maintaining high standards in safety education.
- Advocating for ASSP support of universities pursuing or maintaining ABET accreditation in safety curricula.
- Promoting awareness of ABET-accredited programs as vital talent pipelines for our profession.
- Collaborating with academic leaders to align curriculum with real world safety challenges and industry needs.
- Diversifying revenue for long-term viability. To ensure ASSP’s continued impact, we must build financial resilience.
- Championing efforts to diversify ASSP’s revenue streams through strategic partnerships, digital offerings and global outreach.
- Exploring innovative funding models that support members services while expanding outreach.
- Promoting fiscal stewardship and transparency to safeguard ASSP’s legacy for future generations.
- Championing a strategic growth model that strengthens our international presence and fosters meaningful collaboration across borders. The global safety landscape is evolving rapidly, and ASSP must lead with vision and purpose to support professionals wherever they live and work.
- Empowering global chapters by investing in local leadership development initiatives tailored to the unique needs of our global chapters, ensuring they have the tools, training and support to thrive.
- Building cross-chapter partnerships and promoting dynamic partnerships between U.S.-based and international chapters to encourage knowledge exchange, mentorship and joint programming that elevates safety practices worldwide.
- Engaging in Region IX by maintaining a strong, visible presence through listening, learning and responding to the priorities of our international members.
Together, we can build a truly global community of safety professionals, connected by purpose, strengthened by collaboration, and united in our mission to protect people everywhere. As senior vice president, I will champion a bold, sustainable vision for ASSP — one that empowers safety professionals locally and globally through leadership, innovation and collaboration.