Naomi Hernandez Parada named 2026 Safety Professional of the Year
Naomi Hernandez Parada, ASP, exemplifies the qualities recognized by the Columbia-Willamette Chapter’s Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) Award through her outstanding professional contributions, chapter leadership, community involvement, and commitment to safety education and advocacy.
As a Senior Safety Management Consultant at SAIF, Naomi draws on nearly 20 years of experience in workers’ compensation and occupational safety and health to provide risk management guidance, safety leadership training, and hazard prevention strategies throughout Oregon. She is widely recognized as a safety advocate and influencer, particularly for Hispanic and Latino workers.
A dedicated ASSP member for more than a decade, Naomi has served both the Cascade and Columbia-Willamette Chapters, most recently as Treasurer, while also leading membership engagement and special events efforts. She has been instrumental in advancing the Hispanic Safety Professionals (HSP) and Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) communities, helping launch ASSP’s first National Hispanic Heritage Month events and expanding virtual member engagement.
Within SAIF, Naomi founded the organization’s first Latinx affinity group, which evolved into its first Employee Resource Group. Her work has expanded access to culturally responsive, Spanish-language safety training and ergonomics education, helping reduce workplace injury risks among underserved populations. Her achievements have earned numerous recognitions, including the 2021 HSP of the Year Award and SAIF’s 2024 Cheers for Peers Award.
Naomi and her family at the Officer Installation Event where she was presented with the Columbia Willamette SPY award.