OUR TEAM
Carolyn Sheridan RN, BSN
Executive Director/Founder
I grew up on a dairy farm in Northwest Iowa and continue to farm with my husband in the same area. As a registered nurse I received specialized Agricultural Health and Safety training that helped me understand the health and safety hazards associated with farming, ranching and all types of agriculture.
I have spent most of my career developing and delivering agricultural occupational health and safety services and programs to all generations of agriculture. The development of a program designed to address the health and safety issues for College Ag students has been a passion of mine which allows me to connect with students across North America and around the globe.
As an instructor for Agricultural Medicine Courses I have the opportunity to collaborate with individuals and organizations to enable health and safety professionals in the prevention of occupational illnesses and injuries among members of the agricultural community. I also enjoy speaking on a variety of agricultural health and safety topics. Speaking engagements include local, regional, national and international venues with presentations tailored to the needs of the organization and audience.
David Sullivan Adv, Dip FBM
Director of Programs
I was raised on my family’s farm in Western Australia, which specialized in broad acre cropping and sheep production.
I then completed my studies in Agricultural Farm and Business Management at Marcus Oldham College, which is Australia’s Premier Ag University. After graduation I had the opportunity to work in the live export industry and then manage a large scale cattle station. In 2006 I relocated to Canada where a short venture in construction health and safety gave me the additional knowledge to pursue a career in health and safety. I am a farmer, without a farm so focusing on agricultural health and safety is my true calling.
My work with the College Ag program in North America offers an opportunity to reach the next generation of agriculture in a fun and interactive way. Bringing the international health and safety perspective to students is an important way of connecting with students who are involved in agriculture.
Jenna Gibbs, MPH, Ph.D.
Director of Operations
I grew up in rural Southwest Missouri, in an agricultural area famous for its diverse agricultural landscape. Throughout high school, I played sports, was involved in FFA, and was very interested in biology and plant physiology. I took these passions to the University of Iowa, where I played Division I basketball and pursued a BA in biology/plant physiology and a master’s degree in public health. I then studied pesticide safety for my doctoral dissertation in Washington State. For the past four years, I have worked at the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health at the University of Iowa, working on topics like hearing conservation, personal protective equipment, mental health, livestock production, pesticide safety, and hot/cold stressors. As project coordinator and educator, I assist with data analysis, reporting, grant writing, and trainings.
My family moved back to the Midwest to maintain our small family farm in Eastern Iowa. I believe in the impact of the Gear Up for Ag Safety™ Program because my own family, neighbors, and friends are that next generation!
Stefan Mandić-Rajčević, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Digital Learning and Innovation
I am what you would call a city boy. I grew up in the central pedestrian zone of the capital city of Serbia – Belgrade. Nevertheless, my ancestors up to my great grandfather were farmers, and escaping to the city represented their attempt to escape poverty and provide security for their children. I spent my summers at our ranch by the Danube River where my grandparents created a beautiful farm-like environment for me to grow up.
Little did I know that, after graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Belgrade, I would go on to do a Ph.D. in Occupational Medicine through a project aimed at estimating exposure and risk of vineyard pesticide applicators. This resulted in my return to rural health, as part of public, occupational and environmental health.
I am especially interested in using data to drive decision-making, preventive measures, safety culture and climate, behavior change, as well as new approaches to teaching using digital technologies.
Kayla Walls, M.S.
Curriculum Development Specialist
Growing up on a grain farm in western Ohio instilled in me a passion for the agricultural industry. My membership in FFA and 4-H ultimately led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agriscience Education at Ohio State University. I later received a master’s degree in Industrial and Agricultural Technology from Iowa State University. Upon graduation, I decided to pursue a career in agricultural safety and health with the ambition to help agriculturalists remain safe as they work.
During the day, you can find me serving as the Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Director at New Century FS. In the evenings, I assist the Ag Health and Safety Alliance develop new curriculum, analyze evaluation data, and facilitate training sessions. Since I began my involvement with the Ag Health and Safety Alliance as a graduate student, I have eagerly evolved alongside the organization. I am committed to apply what I have learned here to my career and vice versa.
Alex Beach
Virtual & Graphic Design Specialist
I grew up in Sioux City, IA with two great parents and two great brothers. I love climbing mountains, the financial markets, and spending time with my wife, friends and family. I have always had a passion for animals, the outdoors, and healthy food, which is why this role with Ag Health and Safety Alliance is a great fit for me. After attending Iowa State for a BA in advertising, I worked in the marketing industry for a few years and built up my skill set in motion graphic creation, video editing and web development. Using my skills to promote safe practices in agriculture is an honor and I hope that my work will make an impact for farmers in the future.
Christina Edstrand
Denmark Gear Up for Ag™ Team
I grew up just outside Copenhagen in Denmark and I have always loved to be around animals especially horses.
As a farmer, I chose to be an educator and was a manager at a milking farm for 3 years. In 2004 I was offered a job as an advisor for young workers at farms in Denmark where I talked to farmers and workers about safety on their farms. I really enjoyed that part of my job and that led to the opportunity in 2014 to work with safety on farms full time at SEGES, the knowledge center for farming in Denmark.
I work in a team of four HSE advisors and we work with many different tasks in relation to increasing safety on the farms. I especially enjoy the work we do together with the Danish Farmschools to teach safety to the students at all levels. Together with Ag Health and Safety Alliance, I helped bring the Gear UP for AG program to Denmark, and we developed a special program in English and Danish for FarmSchools. The Danish students enjoyed the program and I am excited to expand the program to more FarmSchools in Denmark.
Ingrid Boldizsar
Romania Gear Up for Ag™ Team
I am a recent graduate of Food engineering and currently pursuing a master’s degree in Gastronomy, Nutrition, and Dietetics in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Throughout my university years, I developed an interest in food production methods. I wanted to gain a better understanding of how raw materials get to the factory.
Through Erasmus, I was introduced to Carolyn, where I became an intern at the Ag Health and Safety Alliance organization. As an intern I will be assisting with; Strategic plan for the European region, Online Gear Up for Ag Trainings, Curriculum Development, Translation of Current/ Online Gear Up for Ag program content. I am looking forward to this journey to broaden my knowledge and learn more about Agriculture and the importance of implementing safety equipment.