Recognizing the Next Generation of EHS&S Leaders
NAEM Staff
July 8, 2026
Currently the co-CEO of Rhythm Innovations, Dave founded the Rath Family Foundation following the sale of his successful software firm, ProcessMAP, to give back to the EHS professional community. As part of fulfilling that mission, the Rath Family Foundation has made a generous commitment to support NAEM’s NexGen Leader Awards. Not only will the award recipients be honored at FORUM26 in October, but they’ll also receive a stipend to attend the conference thanks to the support of the Rath Family Foundation.
“One great leader can influence an entire organization,” says Dave. “This next generation of leaders is going to be responsible for solving the challenges we see today as well as the challenges of the future.”
NAEM's NexGen Leader Awards recognize high-performing EHS&S managers who showcase the talent and skills necessary to move our profession and their organizations forward. Part of NAEM’s 2026 Excellence Awards, nominations are due by July 17, 2026.
When asked what traits are important for a NexGen leader to have, Dave shared the following:
- Empathy: “EHS professionals are protecting people, and the best leaders never lose sight of that.”
- Courage: “The willingness to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult, even when you are managing through change, fighting for budget, trying to influence and manage a lot of people.”
- Curiosity: “This profession is evolving so quickly. You’ve got to constantly learn and have that hunger to learn.”
"If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them,” says Dave. “This recognition isn't about receiving an award—it's about encouraging someone to keep growing, to keep leading, to make a bigger impact. The nomination alone could change their career, how they look at themselves."
Start your nomination today!
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About the Author
NAEM Staff
The National Association for Environmental, Health and Safety, and Sustainability (EHS&S) Management (NAEM) empowers corporate leaders to advance environmental stewardship, create safe and healthy workplaces and promote global sustainability. As the
leading business community for EHS&S decision-makers, we provide engaging forums, a curated network, peer benchmarking, research insights and tools for solving today’s corporate EHS&S management challenges. Visit us online at naem.org.