Jessica Muniz
Jessica Muniz is a seasoned Project Safety Professional with extensive experience in environmental and construction safety, risk management, and project oversight. She is part of the original leadership team at Midwest Risk Management, a firm she helped grow from a focus on risk and safety into full-scale construction and project management, now integrating AI-enabled solutions. Throughout her career, Jessica has worked across diverse sectors including refineries, oil-field operations during the Eagle Ford Shale boom, cryogenic plants, dredging projects, and port/longshore work, bringing a practical and safety-first mindset to every project she undertakes.
Passionate about protecting workers and fostering a culture of respect and awareness, Jessica draws inspiration from her grandfather, a longshoreman whose intuition for safety left a lasting impact. She emphasizes the importance of education and engagement for frontline workers, believing that safety extends beyond compliance to building trust and empowerment on-site. Her early experiences, including an internship at Walt Disney World, shaped her commitment to valuing and respecting every individual she works with, a principle she carries into all her professional endeavors.
Jessica’s dedication to growth and perseverance is reflected in her educational journey. She earned an Associate’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Del Mar College and completed her Bachelor of Applied Science at Columbia Southern University while undergoing medical treatment. She has also completed OSHA-authorized outreach training and a wide range of continuing education programs, underscoring her commitment to lifelong learning. With over a decade of experience in safety and construction management, Jessica continues to champion worker safety, operational excellence, and professional development across all her projects.
• OSHA Authorized Outreach Training
• Columbia Southern University - BASc
• Associated Safety Professionals
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to always signing up for continuing education programs and trying to get as much experience out there. I've had a well-rounded background working in different areas like cryo, dredging, and even doing an internship at Walt Disney World. I've tried to observe and absorb all the information that's out there because you never know when you're going to need it. One of the things I learned from Disney that I still keep in my core was RAVE - respect, appreciate, and value everyone. I also kept myself motivated even during the hardest times. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, I decided to get my bachelor's degree during treatment to keep my mind going and give myself purpose. I needed something to look forward to, and that perseverance is what keeps me going. My work is my stamp on the future.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it’s okay not to know everything. Always ask questions, don’t be intimidated, and consistently give your best work—take pride in what you do. One lesson that has stayed with me from an early internship at Walt Disney World is the principle of RAVE: respect, appreciate, and value everyone. This mindset has guided how I approach every team and professional opportunity.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to embrace challenges and handle the hard moments with resilience—don’t fold, know your worth, and always be kind. Seek out diverse experiences, observe and absorb knowledge from every opportunity, and pursue continuing education and relevant certifications. Equally important is showing respect for skilled tradespeople while advocating for safety, and lending a hand to others whenever you can.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is reaching more businesses to show them how we can support their needs. At the same time, there are challenges, such as regulatory rollbacks that have reduced environmental and safety roles, and the difficulty of maintaining strong local professional networks while traveling frequently. Opportunities also include expanding services into construction and project management, as well as integrating AI into risk and safety solutions to deliver greater value to clients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is building a bridge of respect and appreciation for craftsmen and workers. I believe that someone who can't read or write, or a craftsman, is still an educated person - we can't go out there and build the things that they can build or do the things that they can do without them. I want to spend the time to provide education and awareness to workers so they know that someone's in their corner and looking out for them. That's what drives my passion from safety to construction management - understanding what it takes for them to get the job done while promoting production safely. I also carry the value I learned from Disney to respect, appreciate, and value everyone. My work is about leaving a legacy and having purpose - planting magnolia trees that will bloom long after I'm gone.
Locations
Midwest Risk Management
Corpus Christi, TX 78410