The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Foundation has announced Emmanuel Winful, MPH, CSP, as the recipient of the ASSP Foundation/BCSP Distinguished Mentor Award and Hayley Taylor, CSP, as the recipient of the inaugural ASSP Foundation/BCSP Wooten Next Generation Award. The honors recognize outstanding contributions to mentorship and leadership development within the environmental health and safety (EHS) profession. 

ASSP Foundation/BCSP Distinguished Mentor Award

Emmanuel Winful, MPH, CSP, health and safety manager, Auburn University, is recognized for his long-standing commitment to mentorship and professional development. Over the past decade, Winful has mentored more than 20 early-career professionals who have gone on to earn BCSP certifications, secure safety roles and advance their careers. 

His mentorship approach emphasizes clear goals, accountability and continuous growth. Winful encourages mentees to look beyond compliance toward systemic resilience — reinforcing that a deep understanding of how systems and humans interact to create safety is one of a safety professional’s most valuable skills. 

Winful is an ASSP Advisory Group Member and Black Safety Professionals (BSP) Advisory Committee Member, helping ensure underrepresented professionals have opportunities to succeed and lead within the field. He actively supports individuals who may feel marginalized within engineering or safety fields by equipping them with tools and guidance to navigate these environments successfully. 

The ASSP Foundation/BCSP Distinguished Mentor Award annually recognizes a mid- or late-career safety professional who demonstrates a sustained commitment to mentorship. An honoree’s influence must extend beyond technical knowledge to foster leadership, engagement and a culture of continuous improvement in EHS. 

ASSP Foundation/BCSP Wooten Next Generation Award

Hayley Taylor, CSP, senior environmental health and safety engineer, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), is recognized for her leadership in engaging and supporting emerging EHS professionals through community involvement, mentorship and industry outreach. 

To foster connection and belonging among early-career professionals within ASSP and the broader EHS community, Taylor has spearheaded Earth Day cleanups, networking events and other initiatives. At CFS, she connects with emerging professionals by organizing technical tours and participating in college career fairs to demystify complex industries and show students a clear pathway into high-tech safety careers. 

With a career rooted in technical mentorship and professional growth, Taylor serves as co-chair of the ASSP Greater Boston Emerging Professionals, where she has helped redefine the chapter’s focus on networking and community impact. In this role, she connects early-career professionals with seasoned ASSP members to help them feel engaged and empowered to take action to drive the profession forward.

The ASSP Foundation/BCSP Wooten Next Generation Award annually recognizes an early- to mid-career EHS professional who demonstrates leadership in fostering the next generation of safety leaders. Recipients must be passionate advocates for new professionals and foster an inclusive and supportive environment for those entering the profession. 

“On behalf of the ASSP Foundation, we are proud to recognize Emmanuel and Hayley as our 2026 award honorees,” says Linda Tapp, CSP, ALCM, CPTD, president of ASSP and chair of the ASSP Foundation. “Their commitment to mentorship is helping strengthen the future of the safety profession at a pivotal time. As organizations adapt to rapid technological change, evolving workforce needs and increasing operational complexity, strong leadership and knowledge-sharing are more important than ever.”

Winful and Taylor were recognized at ASSP’s Safety 2026 Conference + Expo on June 14 in Anaheim, California.