Meet the Judges of the 2025 Health & Safety Excellence Awards

Meet the Judges of the 2025 Health & Safety Excellence Awards

The Health & Safety Excellence Awards are back for 2025, and as always, an exceptional panel of judges will oversee the evaluation process to ensure fairness, integrity, and recognition of the best and brightest in the industry. We’re proud to introduce three of our expert judges who bring years of experience and unparalleled knowledge to this year’s panel.

Elaine Bowers
Senior EHS Executive, Ibec

Elaine Bowers has over two decades of experience in Environment, Health, and Safety, with an impressive track record that includes five years in Ibec's Employer Relations Division. Her cross-disciplinary expertise spans occupational health, safety, human resources, and EHS Management Systems, making her a critical advocate for holistic safety approaches. Elaine is also a seasoned academic, serving as a guest lecturer and tutor at UCD's Centre for Safety and Health at Work since 2008. Her educational background includes an MSc in Applied Environmental Sciences, a BSc in Environmental Health, a HDip in Occupational Safety & Health, and a Diploma in Employment Law.

Dr. Conor Buggy
Associate Professor, University College Dublin

Dr. Conor Buggy is a distinguished scientist, engineer, and academic leader. Serving as the Director of the UCD Centre for Safety and Health at Work, he oversees innovative programs that advance occupational and environmental studies. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, specializing in Climate Change Science, Development, and Justice. Dr. Buggy's recent research, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, focuses on how COVID-19 has impacted OSH professionals and their workloads. His primary interest lies in leveraging innovative education to drive behavioral change and foster safety-centric cultures in organizations.

Shareleen Jansen van Vuuren
Group EHS Manager, Tritech Group

Shareleen Jansen van Vuuren brings 16 years of expertise in industries ranging from mining to construction. She currently leads all EHS functions at Tritech Group and is renowned for cultivating strong safety cultures within organizations. A professionally registered EHS Manager since 2017, Shareleen is passionate about mentorship and guiding the next generation of safety professionals to realize their full potential. Her proactive approach to workplace safety ensures innovative strategies and best practices are applied at all levels.

This remarkable panel, along with additional subject matter experts, will rigorously evaluate this year’s entries. They are tasked with identifying the teams, managers, and organizations that have raised the bar in health and safety excellence.

Stay tuned for the next newsletter as we continue to introduce more judges! Want to learn more about our judging process or how to get involved? Visit our website for further details.

Together, let's celebrate innovation and excellence in the health and safety industry!