Bridging Safety Culture and Wellbeing within MnDOT and Iowa's Stress and Resilience Management Project - Debra Lindh, Minnesota DOT, and David Lorenzen, Iowa DOT

Stress affects all of us, but how we respond can shape individual well-being and workplace culture. This co-presentation highlights two practical approaches to managing stress and building resilience. The Iowa DOT’s Shawn Havick Memorial Response Program, a stress and resilience management initiative, equips staff with real-time techniques to handle stress and build resilience. Minnesota DOT’s mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) pilot program demonstrates how evidence-based practices can effectively reduce stress, support psychological safety, and strengthen both emotional well-being and safety culture. Together, this session offers actionable insights for building resilience and fostering a healthier, more supportive workplace.

Moderator: Jon Schelkoph, Michael Baker International