Empowering professionals dedicated to advancing safety excellence.
As part of the National Safety Council Scholarship program, the Certificate Assistance Program helps support individuals on a safety career path to obtain their NSC Advanced Safety Certificate®. Through the ASC Assistance program, NSC teaches best practices to those transitioning into a safety career or who are currently in safety roles within their organization and need additional professional development to create a more proactive process for safety and health.
This year, NSC awarded scholarships to five safety heroes to complete the ASC program. Congratulations to all!
Marci Kane is a dedicated safety professional with a strong background in psychology and sociology, and an unbridled devotion to making the world a better place. Since 2014, Marci has been part of the team at Feed My Starving Children, a hunger-relief nonprofit organization, transitioning to the safety department in 2021. As the director of safety and compliance, Marci leads efforts to ensure occupational safety, food safety and quality assurance, combining expertise with a passion for creating safe and effective operations. Residing just outside Chicago, Marci values time with family and enjoys outdoor activities that bring balance and inspiration to her work.
Nashwan Al Othman is a Syrian immigrant and dedicated healthcare professional with over 15 years of clinical experience in primary and secondary healthcare, spanning hospital, clinic and field hospital environments. With a determined passion for improving public health and emergency preparedness, Dr. Al Othman combines his medical expertise with a focus on training and coaching healthcare staff in clinical skills, safety protocols and team building. He has primarily practiced these skills through ambulance and mobile clinic services, as well as during the Syrian War. Currently, as an occupational health consultant based in Northern Illinois, Dr. Al Othman serves clients nationwide, focusing on areas such as first aid, public health and emergency preparedness.
Justin Clarke, a lifelong resident of Garland, Texas, has served the City of Garland since 2007. He has shown that he’ll stop at nothing to continuously improve the conditions of others. His career began in the Code Compliance Department, where he held several key roles, including safety coordinator, accident review officer, and vice president of the city's safety committee. In 2023, Justin transitioned to the Risk Management Department as safety coordinator. In this role, he leads the development and oversight of the city’s safety and regulatory compliance programs.
Michael Hitzelberger is an early career professional and a remedial project manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has committed to ensuring safety has no bounds when serving his community. He manages construction and cleanup activities at contaminated sites under the EPA’s Superfund and Emergency Management Division. Health and safety have been crucial to Michael’s duties, as he has worked on chemical spills, hazardous waste cleanups and water contamination issues. Michael is passionate about his community outreach and environmental remediation work, and he looks forward to a long career protecting human health and the environment.
Sharleigh Zavaglia, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, has cemented herself as a strong proponent of safety reform who never tires of finding different ways to make an impact. With a multifaceted background as a professional driver, safety consultant and entrepreneur, she brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to the trucking community. As a committed advocate for truckers, Sharleigh focuses on providing tailored mental and physical health solutions that address the distinct challenges faced by professional drivers. She regularly publishes articles in leading safety journals and creates engaging content on psychological safety, learning-based safety and resilience engineering within the trucking industry. Currently, Sharleigh is channeling her expertise into actionable change, aiming to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who keep the country moving. A deep respect for the trucking community and a vision for a healthier, safer industry guide her work.
NSC congratulates these individuals for their commitment to saving lives and preventing injuries. For those interested in applying for a 2025 scholarship award, applications will open in April.
With a century-long legacy, the National Safety Council is a global center for safety expertise. Let's work together to align resources. We look forward to learning about ways we can join efforts to expand safety everywhere!
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