The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) is supporting the continued development of four safety professionals through its funding of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Foundation Career Development Grants.
For the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 program years, BCSP provided four $500 grants to safety professionals pursuing industry credentials. The recipients are Michelle Arias, who is pursuing the Certified Safety Professional (CSP); Martin Asare and Jessica Baker, who are pursuing the Associate Safety Professional (ASP); and Ruby Tucker, who is preparing for the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) examination.
The recipients represent a range of backgrounds and career paths, reflecting the many ways professionals enter and contribute to the safety field.
Arias, of Clermont, Florida, discovered safety while working in admissions at Columbia Southern University. Conversations with safety professionals inspired her to pursue a career focused on protecting people and preventing harm. She now works as a safety professional at Walt Disney World and is pursuing an MBA. Arias said she utilizes her safety knowledge each day at work to identify risks, find new solutions, and help guests and employees feel safe.
“Safety is not just about rules and regulations. It is about building a culture where people feel empowered to make safe choices,” Arias said.
Asare, of Rochester, New York, was drawn to safety after witnessing environmental degradation and unsafe industrial practices during his undergraduate studies in metallurgical engineering in Ghana. His experience in occupational health and safety in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas sector and his graduate studies have shaped his goal of advancing safety, environmental responsibility, and sustainability.
“I see myself not just as a safety practitioner but as an advocate, learner, and leader committed to advancing the profession globally,” Asare said.
Baker, of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, entered the safety profession after accepting a position with a safety and regulatory compliance company. She now works for a nonprofit organization and is focused on improving safety training and incident reporting while pursuing her ASP credential.
“Safety, to me, is more than compliance. It’s about equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and those around them,” Baker said.
Tucker, of Pahrump, Nevada, took a nontraditional path into construction safety after working as a district manager in retail. She plans to use the grant toward her CHST certification as she continues building her career in construction safety.
“My goal is to be a resource who helps solve problems and support teams, rather than simply enforce rules,” Tucker said.
Through its support of the ASSP Foundation Career Development Program, BCSP is helping these professionals continue their education, pursue industry credentials, and strengthen their ability to contribute to safer workplaces.
For more information about the ASSP Foundation, click here.