Central Jersey Regional Event
November 6, 2025 • Edison, New JerseyCreating Resilient Operations: Building Safety Capacity in a VUCA World
Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM ESTCrowne Plaza Edison
62055 Lincoln Highway
Edison, New Jersey 08817
Safety management systems are designed to pass audits and hit KPIs—but that doesn’t always translate to safer operations. In this two-part interactive workshop, we’ll explore how frontline workers adapt to challenges and how these adaptations can actually strengthen safety rather than be viewed as deviations.
Through open discussion and real-world examples, attendees will uncover hidden biases that may be hindering true operational reliability and learn practical strategies to engage teams, build psychological safety, and create a culture where safety thrives—even in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
This event is presented by NAEM and its Affiliates Council member Montrose Environmental. Attendees do not have to be a member of NAEM. Pre-registration is required and seats are limited.
Through open discussion and real-world examples, attendees will uncover hidden biases that may be hindering true operational reliability and learn practical strategies to engage teams, build psychological safety, and create a culture where safety thrives—even in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
This event is presented by NAEM and its Affiliates Council member Montrose Environmental. Attendees do not have to be a member of NAEM. Pre-registration is required and seats are limited.
Registration
$30 to attendPre-registration required
This event is designed for in-house EHS and Sustainability professionals. If you are an NAEM Affiliate member or consultant/service provider, please email programs at naem dot org to request an invite.
Agenda
11:00 - 11:30 AM - Arrival & lunch
11:30 - 11:35 AM - Welcome & opening remarks
11:35 AM - 12:35 PM - Part 1: Understanding the VUCA Landscape
Learn how to identify sources of variability, assess barrier reliability, and uncover how workers achieve success amid daily challenges. Gain insight into psychological safety and leadership behaviors that foster trust and better decision-making.
(45-minute presentation, 15-min Q&A)
12:45 - 1:45 PM - Part 2: From Insight to Action
Apply what you’ve learned through interactive discussions. Identify cognitive biases that can cloud leadership decisions and discover how to partner with frontline workers—the true experts on “Work-As-Done”—to drive meaningful, lasting safety improvements.
(45-minute presentation, 15-min Q&A)
11:30 - 11:35 AM - Welcome & opening remarks
11:35 AM - 12:35 PM - Part 1: Understanding the VUCA Landscape
Learn how to identify sources of variability, assess barrier reliability, and uncover how workers achieve success amid daily challenges. Gain insight into psychological safety and leadership behaviors that foster trust and better decision-making.
(45-minute presentation, 15-min Q&A)
- Shaun Gilday, CPEA, PMP, Vice President, Risk Management Solutions, Montrose Environmental Group
- Brian M. Wilson, M.S., CSP, Global Director of Programs and Process Safety, Montrose Environmental Group
12:45 - 1:45 PM - Part 2: From Insight to Action
Apply what you’ve learned through interactive discussions. Identify cognitive biases that can cloud leadership decisions and discover how to partner with frontline workers—the true experts on “Work-As-Done”—to drive meaningful, lasting safety improvements.
(45-minute presentation, 15-min Q&A)
- Shaun Gilday, CPEA, PMP, Vice President, Risk Management Solutions, Montrose Environmental Group
- Brian M. Wilson, M.S., CSP, Global Director of Programs and Process Safety, Montrose Environmental Group
Speakers
Shaun Gilday, CPEA, PMP
Vice President, Risk Management SolutionsMontrose Environmental Group
Mr. Gilday is Vice President Risk Management Solutions at Montrose with over 20 years of EHS auditing and compliance experience. Mr. Gilday has served as audit program manager for a number of large multi-media audit engagements as well as lead auditor for national and international audits across the oil and gas, chemical, and industrial manufacturing space and for a number of railroad operators and food and beverage clients. Mr. Gilday has broad multi-media experience and expertise in regulatory interpretations and EHS Program Development. Mr. Gilday has designed and established audit EHS programs and management systems for several fortune clients.
Brian M. Wilson, M.S., CSP
Global Director of Programs and Process SafetyMontrose Environmental Group
Brian Wilson is a seasoned process safety expert with over 17 years of experience implementing proactive safety protocols in complex industrial environments. Currently serving as Global Director of Programs and Process Safety at Montrose Environmental Group, he leads comprehensive safety strategies across six divisions. Brian holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Recognizing the role of human performance on process safety led Brian to study CCPS, DOE, IAEA, IChemE, and numerous authors focused on the subject of Human and Organizational performance, Safety Differently, Safety-II, and Resilience Engineering. Most recently this led to starting a Safety Leadership Graduate Certificate program led by Sidney Dekker.
