A group of individuals poses together at a Safety Symposium event, holding a banner that reads “Safety Symposium” and features the “Safety First!” and “Safenycha” logos.

Annual Safety Symposium Centers on Leadership at NYCHA

November 11, 2026 Vincent Echavaria

Leadership across all levels of the agency was the topic of the day at NYCHA’s Annual Safety Symposium, held on October 16 at the Ethel Battle Velez Community Center in East Harlem.

The daylong event, a collaboration between NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) and the Teamsters Local 237 union, brought together attendees throughout the Authority for a professional development program to recognize, educate, and promote current and future safety leaders across the city. NYCHA participants largely included Safety Associates, frontline employees such as Caretakers, Heating Plant Technicians, and Elevator Mechanics who volunteer to help identify and report on unsafe conditions affecting staff and residents at their locations.

The wide-ranging symposium featured speeches by NYCHA executives and union leaders, exhibits (including gas monitoring equipment, personal protective equipment, a Learning and Development Department presentation, and a fire extinguisher demonstration), employee safety skits, award ceremonies, and a luncheon.

Four individuals stand behind a table displaying cupcakes and fire extinguisher-related items at a "Fire Extinguisher Demonstration" booth.

A person with red hair signs a document at a table while others nearby handle blue folders and tote bags at what appears to be an event or registration station.

“This event serves as a moment to pause and set our intentions for what we want safety at NYCHA to look like for the next year,” Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt said in her opening remarks. “After today, we want everyone to take back to their developments and departments a renewed focus on a safe work environment for all our NYCHA employees.”

The central theme of leadership was the focus of the day’s activities as well as a presentation by the Learning and Development Department, while an EHS presentation provided updates on the Authority’s Make It Safe program.

A person speaks at a podium in a gymnasium, addressing a seated audience seated in folding chairs.

A person speaking into a microphone at a presentation titled "Learning & Development" for NYCHA, with a slide highlighting educational opportunities and the slogan "Never Stop Learning!"

Closing out the event was the 2026 Safety Awards ceremony, in which dedicated employees were recognized for going the extra mile and leading the way towards ensuring healthy and safe working environments across NYCHA.

Shanell Smith, Property Maintenance Superintendent at Morris Houses in the Bronx, received the Yvonne Armstrong Safety Leadership Award, which acknowledges supervisory staff who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to fostering a culture of safety at the Authority.

This year’s honoree for the Safety Innovation Award was Mohammed Raqib, Safety Analyst in the Asset and Capital Management division. The commendation is presented to individuals who have introduced innovative solutions that enhance safety within NYCHA.

The Safety Influencer Award, which spotlights non-supervisory staff, was presented to Shavondia Shannon, a Maintenance Worker in the Heating Management Services Department, in recognition of her leadership qualities and contributions to workplace safety.

In addition, an Award of Appreciation was presented this year to honor the service of Larry Pucciarelli, Senior Employee Safety Oversight Specialist in EHS.

A group of people pose for a photo at an event hosted by the Safety First! Housing Authority, with one individual holding an award, surrounded by blue and white balloons.

Three formally dressed individuals pose together indoors, with one holding papers, in what appears to be a gymnasium or event space.

Local 237 union representatives also selected Adams Houses in the Bronx to receive the Safety First Development Award for the community’s efforts to promote a positive safety culture. The union additionally highlighted several Safety Associates for their contributions to keeping their communities safe and secure. Award honorees included Maintenance Worker Moniesha Gordon and Caretakers Urian Brown, Alfred Middleton, Tynesha Williams, Devon Myers, Rolanda Logan, and Kevin Santiago.

Commending the efforts of Safety Associates, Ms. Bova-Hiatt said: “You are not only keeping our developments running in your day-to-day roles, but on top of that, you are volunteering as safety leaders to help us ensure that we are operating safely. Thank you for listening to the concerns of your peers, reporting unsafe conditions, and collaborating with your supervisors and all stakeholders to abate hazards.”