Ann Schubert, ES&H Manager for AECOM, is a dedicated, passionate safety leader. Others describe her as a great mentor, and someone who is humble, authentic, and always a person colleagues can look to for great advice and expertise.

Ann brings her strategic mindset—and keen attention to detail—to every job and project. At the end of the day, she knows that true safety leadership is about people, which is how she helps those around her develop positive, proactive 24/7 safety habits that go far beyond compliance.

Keep reading to see how she ended up in her role, her favorite aspect of her career, and the mentor she says she’s learned so much from over the years.

How did you end up in your role? 

I started out as an Industrial Hygienist because I really enjoyed the technical side of worker safety with the calculations and toxicology as a student, but at my job I became involved in the VPP application process and came to appreciate the idea of a cooperative agreement between safety, management and the workforce. Ever since then, my favorite part of the job has been finding safety solutions that will benefit everyone involved.

What’s a piece advice you have been given that resonates with you and who gave it to you?

Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and take credit for your successes and celebrate the successes of those around you when others on your team are winning, we all benefit.

I learned this from one of my past managers, Ken Jenkins, who always pushed all of us to take on challenging assignments and was very good about recognizing others for their accomplishments.

What do you love about your job?

I love the chance to make each project a better place to work by helping workers with their safety and getting out in the field and talking with people at all levels about safety strategies that will work in their particular situation.

It was also nice that it is easy for people to understand what I do; even when my kids were in elementary school, they knew that mom kept people safe at work!