Karen Young

Karen Young is a seasoned Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) leader with extensive experience developing and implementing safety, compliance, and sustainability programs across global organizations. She currently serves as the Senior EHS Manager for the Americas region at RS Group, where she leads a team of six and collaborates with senior leaders and cross-functional partners to strengthen EHS and security initiatives across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. With a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arizona, Karen combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to promote safer, more sustainable workplace environments.

Throughout her career, Karen has built a strong foundation in environmental compliance, industrial hygiene, risk assessment, and operational safety. Her professional journey began in aviation overhaul, repair, and logistics before transitioning into consulting, where she supported organizations through training, audits, and risk management initiatives. She later held leadership roles with companies including PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, and GAF, where she focused on developing effective EHS systems, improving operational performance, and fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

As a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Registered Environmental Manager, Karen is committed to continuous improvement and industry best practices, including ISO 14001 certification and sustainable EHS program development. She is passionate about embedding safety into everyday operations, encouraging employee engagement, and creating environments where individuals feel empowered to make safer decisions. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Karen actively supports community initiatives, including volunteer-led environmental efforts such as Earth Day park cleanups, reflecting her dedication to workplace safety, sustainability, and social responsibility.