Karla Fitzgerald - President
Karla Fitzgerald is a dynamic force in the EHS world, known for redefining workplace safety across corporate and community landscapes. With a proven track record at Fortune 500 companies like Aramark, Stryker and Goodwill Southern California, Karla has led large-scale risk reduction efforts, engineered cutting-edge compliance systems, and championed employee engagement at every level, across global teams. She is known for building and leading high-performing teams, elevating safety programs through frontline engagement, and delivering cost-effective strategies that save organizations millions.
As Vice President of Safety and Risk for North American Operations at Aramark, she revolutionized safety across 350 facilities—reducing workers’ compensation costs by millions and elevating compliance to A+ nationwide. Her innovative tools—from automated field reporting to scalable training programs—empowered 20,000+ employees serving over 300,000 customers daily.
Rooted in Los Angeles and backed by a Master’s in Environmental Management from Kean University, and a B.S. from Rutgers University, Karla brings both strategic vision and hands-on experience. At Tailgate Safety Group, she merges regulatory rigor with bold innovation—driving safer, smarter workplaces from the inside out. Karla continues to focus on leading and advancing community-centered technology strategies that drive positive change globally.