From October 21 to 24, 2025, more than 275 attendees from around the world gathered virtually for the 4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health®, an event hosted by the Centers for Health, Work & Environment, one of 10 national Centers of Excellence supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The symposium showcased the innovative power of collaboration and once again redefined how research, practice, and policy come together to shape the future of worker well-being.
An Innovative Gathering for a Shared Vision
With nearly 300 attendees and 65 sessions featuring 175 speakers and 16 keynote leaders, the 2025 Symposium was more than a conference—it was a global meeting of minds focused on building healthier and safer workplaces.
One of the key themes that emerged was that the “future of work” is no longer a distant concept—it’s here and now. This moment presents an opportunity to position TWH for deeper integration into existing systems, transforming it from a program or approach into a fully realized field and strategy for advancing worker well-being. Presenters explored how organizations can embed TWH principles across leadership, operations, and evaluation, illustrating how the approach continues to evolve in practice and impact.
“This year’s Symposium represented a big leap in the evolution of Total Worker Health,” said Dr. Liliana Tenney, DrPH, MPH, Program Chair of the Symposium Planning Committee. “Presenters and thought leaders united the vision that it’s not merely a ‘program’ or a nice to have, it’s a system and a way of operating that in itself is developing into a very robust and transdisciplinary field of practice.”
The audience’s enthusiasm reflected the event’s impact—one participant shared, “The totality of what was on offer was tremendous, with great breadth and depth. Really thoughtful planning and good pivoting when needing to move online.”
Keynotes that Inspired Action
"Good leadership isn't something you define yourself. It's anchored in the testimony of the people you are leading. We often see and read about leaders' accolades in driving revenue. But when we go back to our homes and talk about leaders to our friends and families, we talk about the ones who took the time to see and hear us, who extended grace, or did what was right or humane in the face of injustice.”
– Bernie Wong
Panelists emphasized that accountability transforms care from intention into infrastructure, and that leadership must be measured not only by results but by how workers feel seen, heard, and supported.
Another defining moment came during the Fireside Chat between Ranit Mishori,MD, MHS, MSc, FAAFP, Chief Health and Safety Officer at the World Bank Group, and Lee Newman, MD, MA, Director of the Centers for Health, Work & Environment. Their conversation explored how leaders across sectors can strengthen climate resilience and protect worker well-being on a global scale.
Dr. Mishori emphasized that addressing the health impacts of climate change requires a coordinated, multi-sector response—and that every individual, regardless of role or industry, has the power to contribute. Her message was one of optimism: with growing awareness and collective action, meaningful progress toward healthier, more resilient workplaces and communities is not only possible—it’s already underway.
Supporting the Next Generation of TWH Leaders
The Symposium’s scholarship program supported 35 recipients, including students, early-career professionals, and community practitioners from three countries, reflecting a commitment to equity and the development of future TWH leaders.
Scholarships were made possible through the Centers for Health, Work & Environment, the David Lynch Foundation, the Society for Total Worker Health™, and the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation.
Scholarship recipient Amy Schamberg, a DrPH student at Colorado School of Public Health, reflected on her experience at the Symposium. “It was incredibly meaningful to connect with others who are committed to advancing worker well-being at a systems level. So often, this work can feel like swimming upstream, especially in environments that still default to individual-level ‘resilience’ solutions. Being surrounded by people who genuinely understand the challenges and are actively creating organizational change was super motivating. It reminded me that this work is part of a much larger movement.”
Scholarship recipient Emily Sharpe, the Director of the Living Well Program at TIAA, noted that the Symposium acted as a reminder of “all the important work to be done related to TWH. While I am ‘in it’ daily, [the symposium was] a great opportunity to hear from others and how they are working to implement programs and resources to support TWH”.
Continuing the Momentum
The 4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® reaffirmed that this community is not only advancing science—it’s shaping a shared vision for the future of work. Insights from this year’s attendees and speakers underscored a clear message: the future of TWH lies in collaboration, systems integration, and collective action.
As the field continues to evolve, the next steps focus on strengthening collaboration across sectors, integrating TWH principles into organizational systems, and expanding the evidence-based evaluation of interventions. Researchers, practitioners, and employers alike are being called to align strategies, share data, and develop new tools that make worker well-being a measurable outcome of business and public health success.
The 5th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® will be hosted by the Society for Total Worker Health™ in 2028. Until then, the Centers for Health, Work & Environment invites attendees and partners to stay engaged—through membership with the Society, participation in collaborative research, and continued advocacy for the health and well-being of workers everywhere.
Interested in being part of the 5th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® in 2028? Follow the Symposium on LinkedIn for updates, opportunities to participate, and the latest news from the TWH community.
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Thank You to the 2025 TWH Symposium Partners, Sponsors & Symposium Team
The success of the 4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® was made possible through the generous support of our partners and sponsors, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Society for Total Worker Health™, Ardmore Institute of Health Full Plate Living, David Lynch Foundation, and the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation.
Our sincere thanks to every member of the Symposium Planning Team for their creativity, adaptability, and commitment to advancing the mission of TWH. Their work brought together researchers, practitioners, and organizations from around the world to share ideas, spark innovation, and strengthen the future of worker well-being.
About the Centers for Health, Work & Environment
The Centers for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE) educates and trains future leaders, conducts research, and designs and implements practical solutions to occupational safety and health challenges. CHWE collaborates with faculty, students, and community partners to advance worker health, safety, and well-being. Part of the Colorado School of Public Health, it is home to one of 10 nationwide Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®, the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC), and the Climate Impacts on Worker Health & Safety (CIWHS) Center. CHWE is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.