Rebranding the EHS Profession?

It's been five years since safety professionals were asked to step up, in a way that was previously unimaginable, to handle the COVID-19 crisis. 

While some EHS professionals were able to adapt protocols designed for emergency management, many had to create processes in real time. And to keep people safe and businesses running, these professionals took their seats at the boardroom table. 

The profession has continued to occupy a place of value in most organizations. But looking to the future, are we doing enough to attract the next generation of EHS professionals?

A couple of years ago, I asked if we were doing enough marketing. I spoke with Maggie Cahoon, a health and safety specialist with Haley & Aldrich, who has been in the field since 2020. “I don’t think the profession really promotes the reality of the job, which is that about 75% of the time, I’m working with people and helping them get home safely. The technical side of things are less a part of the job than many people might think."

Turns out Deloitte is asking a similar question. Is the industry doing enough to communicate its value to an organization?  In a recent article, "It's time for EHS professionals to rebrand and expand," the firm discusses how EHS leaders can continue establishing their executive presence and broadening the impact of their work.

They offer some pathways.

1. Bolstering leadership with elevated input: As CEOS fact ongoing challenges around regulatory changes, economic uncertainty, and workforce engagement, EHS can “influence up” to help illuminate blind spots and address these challenges in support of the company's strategic goals.
2. Helping to widen the risk lens: EHS professionals can bring new perspectives to corporate governance, assisting CEOs and boards to think differently about EHS performance and widening the risk lens through more insightful and probing discussions.
3. Taking cues from other departments: EHS can look to the examples of cybersecurity and sustainability leaders as a potential model for rebranding and expanding their role into the C-suite.

As EHS continues to solidify its importance to the organization, it will be in a good position to communicate that message to potential candidates. And that can't happen soon enough. According to a 2025 survey from EHS Careers, 57% of companies are struggling to hire EHS professionals. This is due to a number of factors, including retirements, tech demands and low awareness of the career opportunities. 

Let's use our own current professionals to spread the word. As Cahoon said, “I firmly believe that safety is one of the best professions as it allows you to interact on a day-to-day basis with people and really make an impact on someone’s life.”