Arrive at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center to check in for the day, and spend time perusing the vendors.

Opening Remarks and Welcome

In this heartfelt and empowering keynote, Jennifer shares the hard-earned insights that have shaped her journey — as a business professional, a mother, a wife, and a daughter. Blending personal reflection with practical guidance, she offers the lessons she wishes she could have told herself two decades ago: how to create your own opportunities, build a purposeful network, change the stories you tell yourself, and lean into discomfort as a driver of resilience and transformation.

It's a message for anyone who's ever waited for permission to be great, doubted her voice, or underestimated her strength.

Jennifer Mond is currently the Director of Organizational Development at the HODGE. She has been a speaker at various annual conferences and events and has over 20 years of experience in sales, training, and management. Jennifer has spent the bulk of her career in the service industry and has worked with many national clients such as Carfax, Reader's Digest, Dunkin' Donuts, The American Medical Association, and LEGO.

Jennifer has a BA in Communication from Clarke University and holds the senior human resource professional certification (SPHR). She is currently a Board Member for the Grand Opera House and past president of the Women’s Leadership Network of Dubuque.

It's time to stretch with a brief sequence by Athletico!

Track 1: Panel Discussion - Navigating and Advancing as a Female in Safety

Moderator: Shar Jones
Speakers:
Dana Schultz is currently serving as the Human Resources and Safety Manager at Superior Tube Products in Davenport, Iowa. With a passion for employee well-being and safety, Dana has made remarkable strides in revolutionizing the onboarding process for machine operators while minimizing MSD injuries and prioritizing safety. By implementing innovative strategies and best practices, she has successfully reduced workplace injuries significantly for employees during their first year of employment.
Hortencia Saldivar is Chief Human Resource Officer at Dean Snyder Construction. She has over 13 years of experience in Human Resources and Safety, with a strong foundation in the manufacturing industry. She holds a Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management from Drake University Law School and a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management. Throughout her career, she's developed a deep understanding of workers’ compensation, return-to-work programs, and OSHA compliance. Her focus is on aligning HR and safety strategies with business goals, supporting our teams, and making continuous improvement across the organization.
Anna Copeland is a Safety Consultant with Construction Safety Specialists, Inc., bringing over 14 years of experience in occupational safety, with a focus on the construction industry. A Certified Safety Professional and recognized as one of the National Safety Council’s Rising Stars of Safety, she is a dedicated advocate for advancing women in safety leadership roles. Currently serving as President of the Quad Cities Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, she leads with a commitment to mentorship, equity, and creating inclusive workplaces in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Track 2: Life as an EHS Professional - What Does it Take to Do it All?

Whether your role encompasses environmental, health, safety, or any combination of the three, life as an EHS professional can have multiple connotations depending on your organization. We will discuss the leadership skills and experience required to succeed (and survive) as a technical environmental guru, compassionate safety mentor, human resources partner and adult daycare provider.

About the Speaker: Matt Deutsch, CSP, CHMM, since graduating from the University of Northern Iowa, has completed 27 laps around the sun managing environmental, health, and safety programs and projects for organizations of all sizes and industries. In his current role at Vessco Water, Matt leads safety and environmental initiatives for more than 35 platform partner companies across the country, while continuing to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up.

Track 3: Exposure to Fumes and Gases

Welding produces hazardous fumes and gases that can pose serious health risks. Emerging concerns include the long-term effects of exposure to manganese, hexavalent chromium, and other toxic substances. Come and learn how to recognize and avoid these long-term effects and maintain yours - and other's - health and well-being.

About the Speaker: Dan Szymaszek is currently employed with Airgas, a leading supplier of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products. He have been with Airgas for the past seven years in various HSE roles, and is currently the Vice President of HSE for the North Central region that encompasses 45 different facilities across seven different states. Prior to Airgas, he worked in a variety of different roles within the hazardous waste industry for Veolia Environmental Services.

Break and View Vendors

Track 1: How Occupational Health Medical Professionals and Safety Professionals Can Work Together for Best Patient Outcomes

In this presentation, Bill Manely, PA-C will share why companies should partner and leverage the expertise of occupational health providers. In addition, he will address how providers and safety professionals can work together to achieve company goals and achieve optimal patient outcomes by focusing on effective communication and a culture of safety.

About the Speaker: William Maneley, PA-C, is a graduate of Yale Medical School-Physician Associate Program in New Haven, Connecticut. He attended graduate school at Duke University Medical School where he received his Occupational Medicine certification. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Track 2: Optimizing Property Insurance Outcomes: Proactive Strategies for Effective Inspections

Join us for an insightful session on preparing for a property insurance visit. Discover how proactive measures can streamline the inspection process, minimize recommendations, and enhance your facility's risk profile. Learn from Gallagher's seasoned experts about essential pre-visit preparations, key areas of focus during inspections, and effective communication strategies with loss control consultants. This session is designed to equip risk managers with practical tools and knowledge to optimize their property insurance outcomes.

About the Speaker: Donna Settle leads Property Risk Engineering for Gallagher Americas, advising global clients with high-challenge occupancies and diverse exposures. As the liaison between clients and their property insurance carriers, Donna and her team translate technical recommendations into actionable plans to stabilize or enhance the property insurance program. Donna earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She has worked for global organizations such as Factory Mutual Engineering, Zurich, Wortham, and Marsh until 2020, when she joined Gallagher. Donna has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2009.

Track 3: From Lab Coats to Steel-Toes: How a Chemist Became Unstoppable by Harnessing Chemistry, Confidence, and the Spirit of Rosie in Compliance and Leadership

What happens when you're asked to lead in a space you’ve never worked in—like environmental compliance? In this session, Dr. Nicole M. Stephens shares how she transitioned from the chemistry lab to environmental leadership in the biofuels industry, stepping into regulatory compliance with little prior experience. Her journey is about more than adapting—it’s about building confidence, earning trust, and delivering results in unfamiliar territory.

Tailored for safety professionals, this session will show how your existing skills in risk management, systems thinking, and communication can be powerful assets in new technical domains. One key takeaway: you don’t need to be an expert on day one—you need to be willing to learn, show up confidently, and trust your foundation. Nicole brings the spirit of Rosie the Riveter into modern leadership—not in a factory, but in rising to challenges with grit, purpose, and a belief that the unknown isn’t a barrier—it’s an opportunity.

About the Speaker: Nichole Stephens is an accomplished analytical chemist and environmental professional whose career bridges the worlds of academia and industry. With a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and a strong background in research and teaching, Nicole built her early career as a professor before making a bold and fast-paced transition into the biofuels sector. Now thriving in an environmental leadership role, Nicole applies her deep conceptual knowledge to real-world challenges in ethanol production, where regulatory compliance, sustainability, and technical innovation intersect. Her work focuses on translating complex scientific principles into actionable strategies that enhance environmental performance, reduce operational risk, and support long-term sustainability goals. 

Lunch, View Vendors, and Network with fellow professionals!

Track 1: Panel Discussion - Being an Ally and Advocate for Fellow Safety Professionals

Moderator: Heidi Sands
Speakers:
James DErrico is a Board Certified Safety Professional with 25+ years’ experience providing strategic guidance and leadership within the health & safety and risk management field. He is considered a trusted business partner with experience in strategic planning, execution and leading cultural change. His professional experience includes serving as Regional Vice President for a multidiscipline team of casualty, property and construction engineering staff within a global insurance carrier. Prior to that, James served as local EH&S manager for ExxonMobil films division and Sr. safety engineer for UTC’s former Sikorsky Aircraft division.
Amy Roosa is a Risk Control Specialist for Gallagher and the founder of The Safety Rack, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the Personal Protection Equity gap for women across industries. With over a decade of experience in workplace safety and advocacy, Amy has spearheaded initiatives to promote education, research, and collaboration between manufacturers, employers, and policymakers. Her work emphasizes the importance of equity and innovation in creating safe and inclusive workplaces.

Linden Terpstra is an accomplished EHS professional and passionate entrepreneur. Currently serving as the founder and CEO of EHS Support Source, she empowers manufacturers by optimizing their EHS processes and connects companies with EHS experts.

Track 2: From Near Misses to Meaningful Change: Harnessing HOP to Learn and Improve

This session explores how organizations can move beyond traditional safety metrics to focus on learning from events with severe injury and fatality potential. Nikki Knapp will share her approach to refining processes for identifying, analyzing, and learning from near misses, good catches, and high-risk events. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating systematic processes for corrective actions, fostering open communication, and building a culture of continuous improvement.

About the Speaker: Nikki Knapp is a Senior Safety Business Process Analyst at ALLETE, Inc., an energy company headquartered in Duluth, MN, with operations spanning clean energy development and regulated utilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. With over 20 years of experience in workplace safety, industrial hygiene, and emergency preparedness across industries such as nuclear, construction, manufacturing, and utilities, Nikki brings a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to her role. Nikki holds an MS in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Iowa, where she was a NIOSH Education and Research Center trainee with the Heartland Center. 

Track 3: PT 101 - What is My Employee Doing in PT, And Why Does it Matter to Me?

Following this session, you will be able to:

• Summarize the skillset of therapy providers that will expedite return to work and MMI for an injured worker.
• Discuss the importance of setting expectations and communication protocols needed for return to work and MMI.
• Make sense of progressing an injured worker through the maze of therapy options – from acute care plateau to work conditioning to functional capacity evaluation.
• Give examples of actions taken by the employer that can expedite return to work and MMI.

About the Speaker: Nicole Nelson, PT, DPT, MHA, is an experienced physical therapist and Work Comp Specialist who has been with Athletico for over 11 years, with the last five dedicated to the Workers’ Compensation and Employer Solutions Team. In her current role, Nicole specializes in functional; capacity evaluations, work conditioning evaluations, job analyses, post-offer and ergonomic testing setup, and internal chart audits and reviews. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Iowa State University and went on to receive both her Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Healthcare Administration degrees from Des Moines University.

Break and View Vendors

Track 1: Growing Your Presence

This presentation emphasizes why women should consider safety roles in high-risk industries as a fulfilling career path, while also urging leaders to recognize the untapped potential of women for these critical positions. Women bring valuable perspectives and problem-solving skills that are essential for redefining safety practices. Kelli will share how women can make significant strides in the safety sector, showing that they are an ideal fit for these roles. By hiring women for safety positions, organizations can foster a more effective and impactful safety culture.

About the Speaker: Kelli Paskert is a dynamic leader with over twenty years of experience driving strategic growth and operational excellence across multiple industries, including 15 years dedicated to the construction sector. As a former C-Suite Executive, she brings a results-driven approach to her current role as a Business Advisor for Creative Planning Business Services. Kelli is deeply committed to empowering women in leadership and inspiring the next generation of trailblazers. She serves as the Immediate Past President of the Greater Des Moines National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) chapter, is the Founder of Engage Ankeny, a nonprofit connecting communities with local organizations, and is an accomplished keynote speaker. In 2024, Kelli was honored as the recipient of NAWIC's Mentor of the Year and Empowerment Awards, recognizing her dedication to inspiring and uplifting others in her field. In 2025, she earned the prestigious Master Builder Designation from Master Builders of Iowa, further solidifying her commitment to excellence in the construction industry.

Track 2: From Injury to Recovery - What Employers Need to Know About Spine Injury Treatment Paths

Info to Come

About the Speaker: Dr. Catherine Olinger is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Iowa. She received her medical school training from Creighton University School of Medicine, residency training from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center Campbell Clinic, and fellowship training from University of Washington Harborview Medical Center.  She is fellowship trained in spine surgery with a focus in spine trauma. Her primary role as Clinical Assistant Professor is providing surgical care to patients with spine disorders and educating residents regarding orthopedic spinal pathologies. She is member of the American Academy of Orthopedics, AO Spine, North American Spine Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society, Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, and the Southern Orthopaedic Association.

Track 3: Mastering FR/AR Clothing: Selection, Use, and Maintenance for Compliance and Safety

The proper selection of PPE is very important. In this presentation, you will see that though the thermal hazards may be different for different industries, the basics for selection, use, care, and maintenance of FR clothing share some similarities. Flame-Resistant clothing is used in the petroleum industry, electrical industry, O&G Exploration, and other types of industries where there is a danger of a worker being injured by various thermal hazards. However, there is still a lot of misleading, inaccurate, and incorrect information regarding selecting the proper FR clothing. With many citations around improper training on FR/AR clothing, improper care, and maintenance of FR/AR clothing, we will look at the regulations, the standards, and the "best practices" to assist in the proper selection, use, care, and maintenance of your FR/AR clothing.

About the Speaker: Derek Sang has been a pivotal figure in advancing safety standards and education worldwide with over 25 years of experience in the Flame-Resistant (FR) clothing industry. As Senior Technical Training Manager at Bulwark Protection and Workrite Fire Service, Derek spearheads Bulwark and Workrite’s training initiatives, developing comprehensive programs that address the selection, use, and maintenance of FR/AR clothing and Stationwear. His work ensures that workers across industries are equipped to stay safe in hazardous environments. Derek holds professional certifications as a Qualified Safety Sales Professional (QSSP) and Safety, Health, Environmental Professional (CSHEP) with IASHEP. 

Break and View Vendors