Sponsor Info
Cross-Cultural Communication
Communication is one of the most important safety tools on a construction site and involves more than words—it includes tone, body language, gestures and cultural differences that shape how messages are understood. On jobsites with multilingual workers, these differences can affect how safety information is shared, received and acted upon. This presentation will focus on how to help bridge these communication gaps.
Allie Kroeger, MS, OHST, CHST, SMP, CIT, CSP
Buckeye Elm Contracting
Allie is the EHS Director at Buckeye Elm Contracting, bringing more than 10 years of experience in environmental, health and safety management within the construction industry. She oversees regulatory compliance, leads safety training initiatives and develops programs that promote safe, healthy and environmentally responsible workplaces. Her leadership has contributed to a 50% reduction in workplace incidents and injuries through effective safety programs and EHS technology implementation. A bilingual English and Spanish professional, Allie is also passionate about consulting and educating diverse audiences on workplace safety. She was recognized as a nominee for Safety Professional of the Year in 2020 and 2021 and named a Rising Star in 2021.
Mike Mitchell, Safety Manager
Birchwood Foods
Mike is the Safety Manager at Birchwood Foods in Columbus, where he is responsible for overseeing company safety programs, employee safety training, OSHA compliance and BWC claims management. He has 17 years of experience in food manufacturing in both operations and occupational safety, including extensive experience working with multilingual teams and supporting clear communication across diverse employee groups. In his role, Mike focuses on supporting regulatory compliance, strengthening safety systems and promoting a proactive safety culture across the organization.