Matthew Law
Leadership-in-Action Award NomineeNominated for: Championing Technology Innovation - Leadership-in-Action
Title: Director, Work to Zero
Company: National Safety Council
Years in Profession: 13
Nominator: Katherine Mendoza, Senior Director, Workplace Safety Programs; National Safety Council - Direct Supervisor
Title: Director, Work to Zero
Company: National Safety Council
Years in Profession: 13
Nominator: Katherine Mendoza, Senior Director, Workplace Safety Programs; National Safety Council - Direct Supervisor
Describe a situation in which the Nominee exhibited effective influence within your organization. Further define any technical expertise, business acumen, and/or emotional intelligence that contributed to the Nominee's effectiveness. (500 word max.)*
Dr. Matt Law has exhibited effective influence within the National Safety Council through his leadership of the Work to Zero program, an initiative focused on eliminating workplace fatalities by 2050 through the adoption of emerging safety technologies. Since joining NSC as Director of Work to Zero in October 2025, Matt quickly became familiar with the program’s major components and began aligning internal teams, external partners, and technology stakeholders around the practical adoption of life-saving innovation.
One strong example of Matt’s influence is his work with the TechHub Marketplace, one of Work to Zero’s primary tools for connecting safety professionals and employers with vetted safety technology solutions. Although the Marketplace also serves partner visibility and sponsorship functions, Matt recognized that its greatest mission value lies in helping practitioners and end users discover credible technologies that can address serious workplace risks. Drawing on his immediate past experience managing similar strategic partnerships from the vendor and sponsor side, Matt identified opportunities to strengthen the Marketplace by delivering more consistent reciprocal value to partners, reducing inefficiencies, improving engagement and retention, and using new deliverables to better support the vetting process and credibility of safety technology applications.
Rather than approach this as a narrow platform issue, Matt treated it as a broader adoption and sustainability challenge. He engaged potentially affected functions across NSC, as well as existing and prospective TechHub partners, to gather feedback, test assumptions, and refine the internal strategy. This approach reflects Matt’s ability to influence without relying solely on formal authority. He understands that technology adoption depends on trust, usability, partner value, and clear pathways for employers to move from awareness to action. The strategy is now in motion internally and is positioned to create a stronger, more sustainable TechHub Marketplace that better supports Work to Zero’s mission.
Matt’s effectiveness in this situation was grounded in a combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and emotional intelligence. Technically, he brings deep knowledge of occupational safety, environmental health, public health research, emerging safety technologies, and serious injury and fatality prevention. Through Work to Zero, he leads research, educational resource development, and partnerships focused on helping organizations integrate effective technologies into the workplace. His prior work on AI, connected worker solutions, immersive training, EHS digital services, and technology’s effects on work and business outcomes gives him credibility when advising internal teams and partners on the realities of technology adoption.
His business acumen is evident in his ability to see the Marketplace not simply as a marketing channel, but as adoption infrastructure for the Work to Zero mission. He understands that a sustainable technology ecosystem must provide measurable value to partners while also helping end users make more informed decisions. Finally, Matt’s emotional intelligence enables him to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups. He listens carefully, communicates complex ideas in practical terms, and brings people together around a shared purpose: using credible, human-centered technology to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
One strong example of Matt’s influence is his work with the TechHub Marketplace, one of Work to Zero’s primary tools for connecting safety professionals and employers with vetted safety technology solutions. Although the Marketplace also serves partner visibility and sponsorship functions, Matt recognized that its greatest mission value lies in helping practitioners and end users discover credible technologies that can address serious workplace risks. Drawing on his immediate past experience managing similar strategic partnerships from the vendor and sponsor side, Matt identified opportunities to strengthen the Marketplace by delivering more consistent reciprocal value to partners, reducing inefficiencies, improving engagement and retention, and using new deliverables to better support the vetting process and credibility of safety technology applications.
Rather than approach this as a narrow platform issue, Matt treated it as a broader adoption and sustainability challenge. He engaged potentially affected functions across NSC, as well as existing and prospective TechHub partners, to gather feedback, test assumptions, and refine the internal strategy. This approach reflects Matt’s ability to influence without relying solely on formal authority. He understands that technology adoption depends on trust, usability, partner value, and clear pathways for employers to move from awareness to action. The strategy is now in motion internally and is positioned to create a stronger, more sustainable TechHub Marketplace that better supports Work to Zero’s mission.
Matt’s effectiveness in this situation was grounded in a combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and emotional intelligence. Technically, he brings deep knowledge of occupational safety, environmental health, public health research, emerging safety technologies, and serious injury and fatality prevention. Through Work to Zero, he leads research, educational resource development, and partnerships focused on helping organizations integrate effective technologies into the workplace. His prior work on AI, connected worker solutions, immersive training, EHS digital services, and technology’s effects on work and business outcomes gives him credibility when advising internal teams and partners on the realities of technology adoption.
His business acumen is evident in his ability to see the Marketplace not simply as a marketing channel, but as adoption infrastructure for the Work to Zero mission. He understands that a sustainable technology ecosystem must provide measurable value to partners while also helping end users make more informed decisions. Finally, Matt’s emotional intelligence enables him to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups. He listens carefully, communicates complex ideas in practical terms, and brings people together around a shared purpose: using credible, human-centered technology to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
Explain a situation where the Nominee achieved exceptional results within their area of responsibility. Include relevant metrics or KPIs as proof of impact. (500 word max.)*
Although Matt joined NSC in October 2025, during an active fiscal year, he quickly assumed leadership of Work to Zero, aligned the team around priority outcomes, and helped accelerate the program’s progress from awareness-building toward employer engagement, technology evaluation, and early adoption behaviors.
As Work to Zero concluded Year 2 of its three-year strategic plan in June 2026, the initiative demonstrated significant measurable impact. The program served 153,625 unique individuals through engagement touchpoints including website traffic, LinkedIn followers, lead form submissions, event and webinar attendance, YouTube views, and content interactions. Work to Zero also delivered 39 webinars, presentations, and conference sessions, reaching more than 3,300 safety professionals and leaders. Within that broader reach, Matt personally delivered 11 external speaking engagements, directly addressing 1,357 attendees on Work to Zero and emerging safety technology topics.
Those presentations reflected the breadth of Matt’s expertise and the practical nature of his leadership. Notable topics included benchmarking safety technology adoption and outcomes, practical AI applications in safety, human-robot collaboration risks, meaningful KPIs for BBS, HOP and SIF, and building sustainable, compliant EHS programs. These engagements helped employers and practitioners connect emerging technology to safety performance, compliance, business outcomes, and serious injury and fatality prevention.
Matt also directly influenced Work to Zero’s engagement performance by readjusting the program’s marketing strategy and associated funding after joining NSC. These changes helped support website visits, resource downloads, and audience growth across Work to Zero’s digital channels. In Year 2, the Work to Zero website generated 22,672 page views and 704 content downloads, while the TechHub Marketplace generated 121,856 page views and 411 content downloads. Combined, Work to Zero and TechHub produced 145,643 website page views and content downloads, with an additional 72,634 impressions, engagements, and clicks across NSC social channels. Matt also helped support organic growth of the Work to Zero and TechHub LinkedIn showcase pages, which reached 385 and 162 followers, respectively, during the reporting period.
A particularly strong example of Matt’s direct leadership was the Year 2 Safety Innovation Challenge focused on workplace fatigue. Matt led the full challenge process, including selection of semifinalists and awarding of pilot grants. The challenge elevated 10 safety technology solution providers through a live showcase at the NSC Safety Technology Pavilion and resulted in more than $60,000 in pilot funding awarded to four organizations to test fatigue-related technologies in operational environments.
The program’s impact is also visible in practitioner tools and satisfaction. Work to Zero maintained more than 50 interactive tools, research reports, case studies, safety technology spotlights, and webinars to guide organizations through their safety innovation journey. The Organizational Safety Gap Analysis Tool was used by nearly 1,000 individuals, and Work to Zero achieved a 100% satisfaction rate among respondents to post-resource surveys. These results demonstrate Matt’s ability to lead a national program that turns safety technology interest into measurable engagement, practical evaluation, and real-world adoption pathways.
As Work to Zero concluded Year 2 of its three-year strategic plan in June 2026, the initiative demonstrated significant measurable impact. The program served 153,625 unique individuals through engagement touchpoints including website traffic, LinkedIn followers, lead form submissions, event and webinar attendance, YouTube views, and content interactions. Work to Zero also delivered 39 webinars, presentations, and conference sessions, reaching more than 3,300 safety professionals and leaders. Within that broader reach, Matt personally delivered 11 external speaking engagements, directly addressing 1,357 attendees on Work to Zero and emerging safety technology topics.
Those presentations reflected the breadth of Matt’s expertise and the practical nature of his leadership. Notable topics included benchmarking safety technology adoption and outcomes, practical AI applications in safety, human-robot collaboration risks, meaningful KPIs for BBS, HOP and SIF, and building sustainable, compliant EHS programs. These engagements helped employers and practitioners connect emerging technology to safety performance, compliance, business outcomes, and serious injury and fatality prevention.
Matt also directly influenced Work to Zero’s engagement performance by readjusting the program’s marketing strategy and associated funding after joining NSC. These changes helped support website visits, resource downloads, and audience growth across Work to Zero’s digital channels. In Year 2, the Work to Zero website generated 22,672 page views and 704 content downloads, while the TechHub Marketplace generated 121,856 page views and 411 content downloads. Combined, Work to Zero and TechHub produced 145,643 website page views and content downloads, with an additional 72,634 impressions, engagements, and clicks across NSC social channels. Matt also helped support organic growth of the Work to Zero and TechHub LinkedIn showcase pages, which reached 385 and 162 followers, respectively, during the reporting period.
A particularly strong example of Matt’s direct leadership was the Year 2 Safety Innovation Challenge focused on workplace fatigue. Matt led the full challenge process, including selection of semifinalists and awarding of pilot grants. The challenge elevated 10 safety technology solution providers through a live showcase at the NSC Safety Technology Pavilion and resulted in more than $60,000 in pilot funding awarded to four organizations to test fatigue-related technologies in operational environments.
The program’s impact is also visible in practitioner tools and satisfaction. Work to Zero maintained more than 50 interactive tools, research reports, case studies, safety technology spotlights, and webinars to guide organizations through their safety innovation journey. The Organizational Safety Gap Analysis Tool was used by nearly 1,000 individuals, and Work to Zero achieved a 100% satisfaction rate among respondents to post-resource surveys. These results demonstrate Matt’s ability to lead a national program that turns safety technology interest into measurable engagement, practical evaluation, and real-world adoption pathways.
Provide an example of how the Nominee's decision-making skills and/or problem-solving approach supported a positive outcome. (500 word max.)*
One strong example of Matt’s decision-making and problem-solving approach is his work helping EHS&S professionals navigate the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence in safety, health, and environmental practice. Matt recognized that AI was quickly moving from experimentation to practical use, but that many organizations lacked a grounded framework for deciding when, where, and how to apply it safely. Rather than promote a specific product or encourage broad, unmanaged deployment, Matt developed and communicated a responsible AI adoption approach that helps practitioners use tools already available to many organizations while minimizing new failure modes.
Matt’s problem-solving began with a practical question: how can AI strengthen existing safety defenses without replacing human judgment or introducing unacceptable risk? In his presentation, “Addressing the Artificially Intelligent Elephant in the Room: Using Today’s AI for Proactive SHE Practice,” he emphasized that AI should be treated as decision support, not decision authority, and that organizations should focus on realistic use cases such as search, summarization, incident narratives, planning, verification, and leading indicators. This framing helped shift the conversation away from hype or fear and toward responsible implementation.
This approach reflects Matt’s disciplined decision-making. He starts with the safety problem, evaluates whether technology is appropriate, defines success measures, builds in human validation, and pilots before scaling. In his Safety+Health article, “Beyond the AI hype: A practical journey to integration in OSH,” Matt outlined a similar five-step approach: start with the problem and assess risk, identify solutions, determine readiness, make the business case, and pilot, refine, and implement. He also emphasized transparency with workers about what data is collected, why it is collected, how it is used, and how it is protected.
The positive outcome is that Matt provided EHS&S professionals with a usable decision framework for AI adoption that is practical, ethical, and immediately actionable. As a result, Matt gave practitioners a practical, product-neutral pathway for piloting AI safely through defined use cases, validation rules, human review, and responsible scaling. His guidance helps organizations experiment with AI in low-risk ways while improving core safety processes such as hazard recognition, investigation quality, safe work planning, control verification, and learning before harm occurs. This is characteristic of Matt’s leadership: he translates emerging technology into operationally relevant tools that strengthen safety systems while keeping people, judgment, and accountability at the center.
Matt’s problem-solving began with a practical question: how can AI strengthen existing safety defenses without replacing human judgment or introducing unacceptable risk? In his presentation, “Addressing the Artificially Intelligent Elephant in the Room: Using Today’s AI for Proactive SHE Practice,” he emphasized that AI should be treated as decision support, not decision authority, and that organizations should focus on realistic use cases such as search, summarization, incident narratives, planning, verification, and leading indicators. This framing helped shift the conversation away from hype or fear and toward responsible implementation.
This approach reflects Matt’s disciplined decision-making. He starts with the safety problem, evaluates whether technology is appropriate, defines success measures, builds in human validation, and pilots before scaling. In his Safety+Health article, “Beyond the AI hype: A practical journey to integration in OSH,” Matt outlined a similar five-step approach: start with the problem and assess risk, identify solutions, determine readiness, make the business case, and pilot, refine, and implement. He also emphasized transparency with workers about what data is collected, why it is collected, how it is used, and how it is protected.
The positive outcome is that Matt provided EHS&S professionals with a usable decision framework for AI adoption that is practical, ethical, and immediately actionable. As a result, Matt gave practitioners a practical, product-neutral pathway for piloting AI safely through defined use cases, validation rules, human review, and responsible scaling. His guidance helps organizations experiment with AI in low-risk ways while improving core safety processes such as hazard recognition, investigation quality, safe work planning, control verification, and learning before harm occurs. This is characteristic of Matt’s leadership: he translates emerging technology into operationally relevant tools that strengthen safety systems while keeping people, judgment, and accountability at the center.
Offer examples to illustrate the Nominee's dedication to lifelong learning and professional development. (500 word max.)*
Matt’s dedication to lifelong learning and professional development is evident in the way he continuously builds new expertise and then translates that knowledge into practice for the broader EHS&S profession. His most significant recent professional development achievement was completing his Doctor of Public Health degree in May 2023, with doctoral research focused on occupational risk perceptions among foreign-born construction workers in Central Florida. His study examined how factors such as birthplace, experience, age, language barriers, and education level related to workers’ perceptions of occupational risk. The research identified statistically significant differences in risk perceptions between foreign-born and native-born construction workers and highlighted opportunities to reduce injuries and fatalities through improved training and communication.
That doctoral experience has had a lasting impact on Matt’s professional growth. It strengthened his ability not only to conduct research, but also to develop sound research strategy, evaluate evidence, and translate findings into practical action. Those capabilities now directly support his leadership of NSC’s Work to Zero program, where he leads research, educational resource development, and partnerships focused on helping employers adopt emerging technologies to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
Matt’s commitment to learning is also reflected in his ongoing pursuit of executive, technical, and field-specific development. This past year, he completed the Executive Safety Leadership program through the American Society of Safety Professionals, further strengthening his ability to lead safety strategy, influence organizational decision-making, and advance safety outcomes at a leadership level. He also recently joined the American Society of Association Executives to deepen his understanding of nonprofit leadership, program sustainability, member value, and association strategy — all areas that support his current and future leadership within NSC and the broader safety profession.
In addition to learning for his own development, Matt actively creates learning opportunities for others. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Advanced Safety Engineering and Management graduate program. He created and teaches ASEM 651: Emerging Trends in Safety Engineering, a graduate-level course first taught in Fall 2025 and offered each Fall moving forward. The course prepares students to evaluate regulatory, societal, business, and technological trends affecting safety engineering, including ESG, CSR, EHS technology, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, wearable technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and ESG technology integration.
Matt also demonstrates lifelong learning through applied scholarship and knowledge translation. His recent work includes publications and presentations on artificial intelligence, connected worker solutions, immersive training technology, EHS digital services, safety technology adoption, and technology’s effects on safety and business outcomes. He also hosts “Prove It To Me,” a self-funded podcast that reviews EHS&S research and helps practitioners understand published evidence, its practical impact, and actionable takeaways. As of July 2026, the podcast has published 34 episodes, reached 1,900 all-time downloads, and produced social media clips reaching as many as 35,000 viewers.
Together, these examples show that Matt approaches professional development as both a personal responsibility and a professional obligation: he learns continuously, applies evidence thoughtfully, and shares knowledge widely to help advance EHS&S practice.
That doctoral experience has had a lasting impact on Matt’s professional growth. It strengthened his ability not only to conduct research, but also to develop sound research strategy, evaluate evidence, and translate findings into practical action. Those capabilities now directly support his leadership of NSC’s Work to Zero program, where he leads research, educational resource development, and partnerships focused on helping employers adopt emerging technologies to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
Matt’s commitment to learning is also reflected in his ongoing pursuit of executive, technical, and field-specific development. This past year, he completed the Executive Safety Leadership program through the American Society of Safety Professionals, further strengthening his ability to lead safety strategy, influence organizational decision-making, and advance safety outcomes at a leadership level. He also recently joined the American Society of Association Executives to deepen his understanding of nonprofit leadership, program sustainability, member value, and association strategy — all areas that support his current and future leadership within NSC and the broader safety profession.
In addition to learning for his own development, Matt actively creates learning opportunities for others. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Advanced Safety Engineering and Management graduate program. He created and teaches ASEM 651: Emerging Trends in Safety Engineering, a graduate-level course first taught in Fall 2025 and offered each Fall moving forward. The course prepares students to evaluate regulatory, societal, business, and technological trends affecting safety engineering, including ESG, CSR, EHS technology, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, wearable technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and ESG technology integration.
Matt also demonstrates lifelong learning through applied scholarship and knowledge translation. His recent work includes publications and presentations on artificial intelligence, connected worker solutions, immersive training technology, EHS digital services, safety technology adoption, and technology’s effects on safety and business outcomes. He also hosts “Prove It To Me,” a self-funded podcast that reviews EHS&S research and helps practitioners understand published evidence, its practical impact, and actionable takeaways. As of July 2026, the podcast has published 34 episodes, reached 1,900 all-time downloads, and produced social media clips reaching as many as 35,000 viewers.
Together, these examples show that Matt approaches professional development as both a personal responsibility and a professional obligation: he learns continuously, applies evidence thoughtfully, and shares knowledge widely to help advance EHS&S practice.
Provide evidence of the Nominee's commitment to the fields of EHS&S. Examples may include: serving on the organization's safety committee, volunteering for environmental / sustainable causes, or writing for industry publications. In addition, share any professional impressions of the Nominee's commitment to EHS&S. (500 word max.)*
Matt’s commitment to EHS&S is demonstrated through sustained service, applied research, industry writing, professional leadership, and a career focused on protecting workers across public health, construction, manufacturing, distribution, military, and nonprofit settings. His current role as Director of the National Safety Council’s Work to Zero program reflects that commitment most directly. Matt leads research, education, partnerships, and employer-facing resources that help organizations evaluate and implement life-saving innovations.
Matt has consistently given his time and expertise to professional organizations that strengthen the EHS&S field. He served on the Board of Directors for the Society for Total Worker Health, including work that helped strengthen bylaws, improve board documentation practices, and support the 2025 Total Worker Health Symposium. He also served as Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of the Alliance for Central Florida Safety, where he helped facilitate annual Safety Day events providing continuing education and networking for local safety professionals. Through that work, he maintained exhibitor relationships to reduce costs for attendees and contributed to the Children’s Safety Village, which provides education on hazards such as water and vehicle safety. His ASSP service includes serving as President of the National Capital Chapter and PR/Sponsorships Committee Chair for the Central Florida Chapter.
Matt’s commitment is also visible in his contributions to the EHS&S body of knowledge. He has authored articles and white papers on safety business alignment, hazard recognition, emergency risk communication, emerging virtual technology, AI, warehousing and storage safety, and safety technology outcomes. His peer-reviewed Professional Safety article, “Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication: Six Principles for OSH Professionals,” won 3rd Place for the 2023 Professional Safety Article of the Year, reflecting the quality and relevance of his writing for practitioners.
Matt also demonstrates commitment by educating future EHS&S leaders. In the first semester teaching ASEM 651 at UAB, students rated him highly as an instructor, including an average of 4.67 out of 5 for “excellent teacher,” 5.0 out of 5 for speaking clearly at an appropriate pace, using class time effectively, being available to assist students, explaining grading expectations, and returning assignments within a reasonable time. Student comments described him as “the best” and “very well organized.”
Finally, Matt’s service as an Environmental Health Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve further demonstrates his commitment to protecting people in diverse operational environments. Professionally, I view Matt as someone whose commitment to EHS&S is not limited to his job description. He consistently invests in the profession by researching difficult problems, sharing practical knowledge, mentoring others, strengthening professional communities, and building systems that help organizations protect workers more effectively.
Matt has consistently given his time and expertise to professional organizations that strengthen the EHS&S field. He served on the Board of Directors for the Society for Total Worker Health, including work that helped strengthen bylaws, improve board documentation practices, and support the 2025 Total Worker Health Symposium. He also served as Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of the Alliance for Central Florida Safety, where he helped facilitate annual Safety Day events providing continuing education and networking for local safety professionals. Through that work, he maintained exhibitor relationships to reduce costs for attendees and contributed to the Children’s Safety Village, which provides education on hazards such as water and vehicle safety. His ASSP service includes serving as President of the National Capital Chapter and PR/Sponsorships Committee Chair for the Central Florida Chapter.
Matt’s commitment is also visible in his contributions to the EHS&S body of knowledge. He has authored articles and white papers on safety business alignment, hazard recognition, emergency risk communication, emerging virtual technology, AI, warehousing and storage safety, and safety technology outcomes. His peer-reviewed Professional Safety article, “Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication: Six Principles for OSH Professionals,” won 3rd Place for the 2023 Professional Safety Article of the Year, reflecting the quality and relevance of his writing for practitioners.
Matt also demonstrates commitment by educating future EHS&S leaders. In the first semester teaching ASEM 651 at UAB, students rated him highly as an instructor, including an average of 4.67 out of 5 for “excellent teacher,” 5.0 out of 5 for speaking clearly at an appropriate pace, using class time effectively, being available to assist students, explaining grading expectations, and returning assignments within a reasonable time. Student comments described him as “the best” and “very well organized.”
Finally, Matt’s service as an Environmental Health Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve further demonstrates his commitment to protecting people in diverse operational environments. Professionally, I view Matt as someone whose commitment to EHS&S is not limited to his job description. He consistently invests in the profession by researching difficult problems, sharing practical knowledge, mentoring others, strengthening professional communities, and building systems that help organizations protect workers more effectively.