Jennifer Zipeto, CSP, a senior professional with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is te 2018 Safety Professional of the Year for our Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Common Interest Group. A practicing OSH professional since 1994, she started her Disney career in 2010 and has supported a wide range of programs.

Zipeto has been on the WISE Advisory Committee 12 years, including serving as administrator and assistant administrator, and helped establish WISE as a forum in which female professionals can network. As an early leader of the group, Zipeto helped the group set benchmarks for others to follow. During her tenure as WISE administrator, the group added more than 600 members.

She continues to mentor new OSH professionals, spearheaded endowment of the WISE Professional Development Grant through the ASSP Foundation and coordinates WISE events at ASSP's annual conference.

Zipeto has received several ASSP awards, including the Charles V Culbertson Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, Diversity Award, and North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) Champion Award. She was also named to the 100 Women Making a Difference in the Safety, Health and Environmental Industry. In addition, Zipeto was named the 2011 Safety Professional of the Year by our Central Florida Chapter and she has received the President of the United States Volunteer Service Award.

While serving as WISE administrator, Zipeto said, “WISE fosters an environment that allows our members to share ideas and knowledge. We have a robust mentoring program and are strong networkers. We are ‘leaning in’ to our careers and to the ongoing evaluation of the state of women in the [OSH] profession.”

WISE continues that today and underscores Zipeto's ongoing contributions to our group and our profession.