From Army Star to Rising Star: Former Middle East District Safety Chief Earns National Recognition
When Vanessa Matheny arrived at the U.S. Army Corps (USACE) of Engineers Middle East District in December 2023, she had an ambitious goal: to help the district earn the Army’s highest safety recognition.
Less than two years later, the Middle East District became the fifth U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district to earn the Army Safety and Occupational Health Star. Now Chief of Safety and Occupational Health for the Japan District, Matheny has earned a new distinction, selection as one of the National Safety Council’s 2026 Rising Stars of Safety. Established in 2010, the Rising Stars of Safety program recognizes emerging professionals who demonstrate innovative leadership and a commitment to improving workplace safety. Matheny joins 39 other honorees representing industries across the public and private sectors, placing her among emerging leaders in the broader safety profession.
“I was surprised and excited!” Matheny said. “I always put a lot into my work, so being recognized means a lot. I thought about the people who supported me and helped turn ideas into results.”
Kevin Raposa, Southwestern Division Chief of Safety and Occupational Health for overseas operations and acting Middle East District Chief of Safety, nominated Matheny for the recognition. He said her selection reflects the caliber of safety leadership supporting Army missions worldwide.
“It sends a clear message: USACE safety programs are world-class, and our leaders are second to none,” Raposa said.
Matheny joined the district as it completed Stage III of the Corps of Engineers Safety and Occupational Health Management System. Rather than viewing that milestone as a finish line, she focused on achieving the Army Safety and Occupational Health Star.
For a district delivering complex engineering and construction projects across the Middle East, a strong safety culture helps protect the Soldiers, civilians, and contractors who accomplish the mission.
“It taught me how to bring people together, listen to different perspectives, and keep working toward a shared goal,” Matheny said. “I learned to try different ideas, adjust when something wasn’t working, and build a program that everyone could take ownership of.”
Raposa said that ownership remains evident throughout the district, particularly in the communication and collaboration between project managers, field personnel, and safety professionals.
“She built a system designed to outlast her, and it is doing exactly that,” Raposa said.
Matheny’s national recognition also reflects her commitment to employee well-being beyond traditional occupational safety. Recognizing the unique stresses of working overseas, she invited Jonathan Wuebker, Deputy Director of Psychological Health and Peer Support Program Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to the district to introduce employees to the Critical Incident Stress Management program and provide a deeper understanding of the Employee Assistance Program and the resources available to them.
“People bring their whole selves to work,” Matheny said. “Stress, being away from family, and working overseas can affect how someone feels, focuses, and does their job. To me, safety includes checking on people, listening, and making sure they feel comfortable asking for help.”
Wuebker said Matheny’s approach reflects the connection between employee well-being and mission readiness. “Vanessa’s exceptional ability to connect safety with holistic well-being sets her apart,” Wuebker said. “Her people-first approach strengthens resilience, enhances readiness, and empowers USACE personnel to execute the mission safely and successfully.”
Matheny has carried those lessons into her current role at the USACE Japan District, where she continues to encourage employees to take ownership of safety and work collaboratively to identify improvements. For Matheny, the recognition is also an opportunity to acknowledge the people who helped make the district’s Army Star achievement possible.
“We earned that recognition together as a district, and I’m proud to have been part of the accomplishments!” she said.
Learn more about the Rising Stars: https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/rising-stars-of-safety-2026/
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