Allan Fernandes
Nominated for: Lifetime Achievement Award
Title: VP of Global Safety & Risk Solutions
Company: Aramark
Years in Profession: 31
Nominator: Lara Malatesta, VP Food Safety & Management Systems, Aramark, direct report, colleague and friend of Allan.
Provide an overview of the nominee's 20-plus years of professional experience, including previous management positions held, current role, and key accomplishments. (500 words max.)*
Allan Fernandes has over 30 years of remarkable professional experience, making meaningful contributions in Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and inspiring current and future leaders in every organization he has worked for. His career spans various leadership positions and notable accomplishments across the globe, shaping a culture of care and safety.
Starting as a consultant at McLaren/Hart in Philadelphia, Allan worked as a field geologist, assessing environmental risks, managing remediation projects, and ensuring compliance in the United States, Australia, and the Asian Pacific. A highlight project was leading an environmental due diligence team to evaluate risks at several nuclear power plants. His experience inspired him to pursue a career in the energy industry, driven by his desire to contribute to communities and the greater good.
Joining PECO Energy, Allan oversaw the environmental remediation program for Exelon Energy Delivery before broadening his EHS role to include compliance and injury prevention. The successful of his Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) remediation program demonstrates how his leadership has significantly impacted the communities of Philadelphia and Chicago. One notable achievement was resolving Barrie Park MGP site clean-up challenges in Oak Park, Illinois. Allan's authentic leadership and genuine care for people and the environment were vital in bringing together homeowners, community activists, and regulators with divergent interests. Through collaboration, Allan helped remove over 350,000 tons of contaminated soil, paving the way for a safe, new park and playground for the community.
Due to his proven technical expertise and demonstrated people leadership skills, Aramark recruited him to lead global programs in environmental, food and workplace safety. In his current role as the Vice President of Global Safety & Risk Solutions, Allan oversees the safety of Aramark's people, customers, and communities globally. His responsibilities extend to managing EHS and food safety risk for a ≥$16.3 billion corporation and ensuring the safety of its 274,000 employees across 19 countries and diverse industries - including hospitals, schools, corporate clients, entertainment venues, and National Parks.
Under Allan's leadership, Aramark has achieved 13 consecutive years of year-over-year improvement in safety performance. This remarkable progress has resulted in a 70% overall reduction in incident rates and a significant decrease in Aramark's experience modification rate (EMR) and insurance costs. Most importantly, Allan's focus on employee well-being and organizational culture-building has ensured the safe return of thousands of employees to their families and loved ones. Allan has been the driving force in implementing environmental programs demonstrating credibility and trust with regulators, consumers, and clients. Aramark maintains many EHS-related ISO certifications for specific country operations and client locations in the US. Exemplifying Allan's dedication to communities, his team has implemented environmental management programs and plans for hospitality activities across 38 national parks, state parks, and protected forests in North America.
Exceptional leadership focused on people and a steadfast commitment to the greater good has marked Allan Fernandes' 30-year-plus career. His contributions to the consulting, energy and hospitality industries have shaped EHS practices and fostered an unparalleled culture of care globally.
Please list a minimum of two examples that demonstrate the nominee's distinguished service and leadership within the fields of environment, health, safety and/or sustainability at the corporate management level. Examples may include: Company or industry-related recognition and awards, board appointments, publications, public speaking engagements, and relevant service or volunteer positions. (500 words max.)*
As the Vice President of Global Safety and Risk Control for Aramark, Allan Fernandes plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of billions of meals served worldwide and the well-being of a global workforce operating in diverse and challenging environments. It is uncommon for him to seek recognition for these efforts. Rather, he seeks opportunities to leverage his experience and innate strengths where they are most needed and valued.
One notable example of Allan's EHS service and leadership was his involvement in the 2010 Chilean mining disaster. Despite being thousands of miles away in Philadelphia, Allan's strong relationships with Aramark's global team and leadership allowed him to guide the company in supporting the 33 trapped miners. Through collaboration with doctors and nutritionists, Aramark's Chilean team delivered nutritious meals to the miners, earning recognition from top-level authorities, including President Obama. The miners expressed profound gratitude for the Aramark team's unwavering commitment to their safety and well-being.
Beyond critical events, Allan consistently dedicates himself to strengthening safety protocols and supporting the overall well-being of employees and customers globally. He fosters collaborative relationships with Aramark's Country Leaders and Safety and Risk personnel, driving improvements and sharing best practices to protect people, property, and assets globally. His expertise has been crucial in evaluating and mitigating risks associated with high-profile events such as the Beijing Olympics, Asian Games, London Olympic Games, and World Cup Games in Brazil.
"Knitting the globe – one stitch at a time" is Allan's vision for inspiring colleagues across the globe for the past 16 years. His most proud achievement is likely Aramark's annual celebration of World Safety and Health Day that engages nearly 275K employees across our international operations. Allan and his team lead celebrations recognizing safety practices and achievements across the company and reinforce the importance of a safe work environment. His unwavering commitment to safety empowers individuals at every level to prioritize their well-being and that of others. Allan's leadership and sponsorship ensure global participation and inclusion, shaping a safety culture throughout Aramark and setting a high standard for safety practices in the industry.
Recognized for his contributions to the EHS field, Allan actively shares his expertise, experiences, and perspectives through interviews, speaking engagements, and social media, inspiring and educating Aramark employees and other organizations to prioritize safe workplaces. As a leader on the former Global Risk Management leadership team, he and the team were recognized externally with the Theodore Roosevelt Workers' Compensation and Disability Management Award (known as the "Teddy Award") in 2009 for the company's success in reducing work-related injury claims. In addition to his exemplary leadership, Allan currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Delaware, where he received a degree in Geology.
Identify and define the nominee's impact on company performance. Outline pertinent EHS&S initiatives and/or programs. Provide measurement of impact through metrics or KPIs. (500 words max.)*
Allan has made his most significant impact and influence on Aramark's EHS performance through his thought leadership in establishing our global SAFE™ Program and Target Zero vision, as well as his unwavering focus on preventing slips, trips, and falls (STF).
Every day, Allan fosters the passion and commitment of others to operate our business with a Target Zero vision: no harm to people or the environment. To achieve this goal, he led the development of Aramark's Safety Assurance in Food and Environments (SAFE™) policy and management system. This framework outlines our approach to operating safely; identifying, evaluating, managing risk; and achieving our people, environmental, and food safety goals. This continuous improvement system has provided the focus and tools to achieve year-over-year injury reduction for over a decade. Allan's focus on STF prevention and sponsorship of Aramark's Safety Footwear Program is a crucial initiative contributing to this safety success story.
When Allan started his tenure at Aramark and journey to Target Zero, we were experiencing an injury every hour of every day. More specifically, injuries from STFs were so pervasive that hundreds of employees experienced this preventable injury each year and worker's compensation costs materially impacted business success. Under Allan's guidance, Aramark partnered with Shoes for Crews (SFC) to tackle the issue and implemented a slip-resistant shoe program for tens of thousands of frontline associates in the United States.
The Safety Footwear Program has significantly improved workplace safety and prevented injuries from STFs. In the program's first year, STFs decreased by 22% across all lines of business compared to the previous year. Remarkably, there was a 42% reduction in STFs compared to historical rates. The program's early adopters experienced even higher reductions. These statistics and 15 years of year-over-year STF reduction demonstrate the effectiveness of slip-resistant footwear in protecting employees.
The program has had a broader impact on company performance and business outcomes. Aside from preventing employee injuries, the program streamlines internal operations and generates cost savings. By centralizing the procurement of slip-resistant shoes with SFC, managers can easily purchase shoes for their employees at a discount, continuously driving participation in this program. With Allan's unyielding commitment to STF prevention and investment, over 100K employees have been put in slip-resistant shoes in this year alone.
The positive impact of the Safety Footwear Program also extends to employee engagement. Employee feedback surveys have revealed that the program has enhanced company culture and employee morale. Associates report being happier and more confident with the new footwear, which has boosted their self-esteem and pride in their work. Many employees have even upgraded to more expensive shoe styles, highlighting the popularity and effectiveness of slip-resistant footwear.
Allan's vision and leadership in implementing the Safety Footwear Program have profoundly impacted Aramark's people and company performance. The program continues to reduce workplace injuries, improve safety compliance, support productivity, generate cost savings and provide a tangible example of how managers can show commitment to employee well-being and safety.
Describe the nominee's leadership style and provide examples of his/her commitment to advancing professionals within the EHS&S fields. (500 words max.)*
Allan has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to expanding the influence of EHS professionals within Aramark and beyond. This commitment begins with his team, Safety & Risk Solutions (S&RS). At nearly every annual, in-person staff meeting, Allan ensures there are opportunities for his team's professional growth and development, inviting internal and external speakers to share their knowledge about Aramark and the broader industry. These sessions cover executive coaching, skills to improve influencing without authority and networking to help expand the team's reach within the organization and profession. Allan recognizes that fostering the growth and development of his team is the first step in amplifying the impact of EHS professionals throughout the company.
Another example of Allan's ability to expand the reach of EHS professionals would be through his leadership and involvement in the Aramark Safety Leader Program. This program, comprising approximately 400 Aramark employees, is a driving force behind embedding safety into the company's culture and operations. These Safety Leaders act as the voice of safety, promoting it across regions and lines of business in the United States. They are the safety champions, supporting core processes and bridging the gap between corporate policies and everyday behaviors in the field.
These Safety Leaders have become vital influencers and valuable contributors to Aramark's strong organizational safety culture through ongoing training and development. Their efforts have contributed significantly to our long history of year-over-year safety improvement and paved the way for emerging leaders within the company.
As a true advocate for safety, Allan understands that creating a culture of care begins with valuing every individual. During the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Allan's leadership shone even brighter. He engaged with business stakeholders, empowering them to have a voice in shaping Aramark's pandemic response. Through collaboration on a global scale, Aramark became a beacon of innovation and responsiveness. The company played a leading role in developing business continuity plans, creating COVID education tools, and implementing a range of safety protocols, such as weekly safety discussions during pre-service huddles, visual aids, guidance documents, micro-learnings and standard operating procedures. Allan's commitment to protecting the well-being of employees and customers alike was instrumental in achieving an outstanding safety score of 97% based on customer feedback during the pandemic.
Allan's leadership style, marked by genuine care and a relentless focus on safety, has propelled Aramark to new heights. By championing cultures of care and safety, he has created an environment where individuals are empowered, and their well-being is paramount. Allan's commitment to expanding the influence of EHS professionals, exemplified by the Aramark Safety Leader Program, ensures that safety remains a driving force within the organization. His exceptional leadership has transformed Aramark into an EHS leader, where safety is not just a priority, it is ingrained in everything its employees do.
Provide two examples of nominee's commitment to industry advancements and lifelong learning. Examples may include: Continuing education, corporate or university teaching, patents, strategic initiatives, breakthrough program development, and other definable actions. (500 words max.)*
Allan's extraordinary journey from India to the United States is a testament to his unyielding determination and the transformative power of education. In India, he obtained an undergraduate degree in Geology (Hons) from St. Xaviers College at the University of Bombay. Despite facing numerous challenges, he pursued academic study and a prosperous career in the United States, starting with limited resources. As he tells the story, he only had "two bags and a dream" when he arrived in America.
Allan's pursuit of knowledge and work ethic led him to obtain a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Delaware. This educational foundation was a launching pad for his subsequent achievements in environmental protection and beyond. His commitment to lifelong learning extended far beyond a traditional academic setting. Allan embraces opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills through travel, executive coaching and participation in employee resource groups. These learning experiences related to leadership development, international cultures, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) fuel his passion and investment in developing and inspiring future leaders.
Allan has dedicated his time and expertise to giving back to the community and nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals. In his unwavering commitment to volunteerism, he serves as a mentor, instructor, guest speaker on numerous panels, and member of the Board of Trustees at the University of Delaware. Allan regularly contributes to the University's Paul Wise Distinguished Speaker Series, having been invited to share his global experiences and insights with students. His expertise and thought leadership have significantly impacted industry advancements and inspired others to embrace lifelong learning. Allan actively shapes aspiring professionals' educational experiences and career paths in these roles, underscoring his belief in the power of continuous learning.
In addition to involvement with his alma mater, Allan shares his perspectives and learning to inspire others through webcasts, speaking engagements and conferences. Some notable examples include NAEM's 2020 Forum and 2020 AICPA & CFO Conference, where Allan presented how Aramark prepared itself for the "new normal" post-COVID-19 with a new, agile, resilient business model. Allan is also involved with The National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, hosting a workshop sharing at their 2021 Super Regional Virtual Conference.
Allan's inspiring journey from humble beginnings to being a respected EHS industry leader showcases the transformative power of perseverance, determination, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. Allan's unwavering dedication to lifelong learning, industry advancement, and empowering others distinguishes him as an exceptional leader and role model. His story is a testament to the transformative power of education and serves as an inspiring beacon for those striving to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
On behalf of Allan’s entire management team who have worked for him for a combined 100+ years, we feel Allan's passion for environmental stewardship, dedication to employee safety, and commitment to industry advancements make him a deserving candidate for the NAEM's Lifetime Achievement Award.