Meet Michelle
Michelle Pari, CSP, is the founder of Ascend Safety, a company built on her belief that safety can be simpler, more strategic, and accessible to all. With nearly 20 years of experience leading safety programs across diverse industries, she is passionate about transforming workplace safety from a compliance obligation into a culture where people feel safe, valued, and empowered.
Michelle brings extensive experience in managing complex safety systems, with a practical understanding of operational demands, workforce dynamics, and the challenges organizations face when implementing safety programs across multiple departments. Before founding Ascend Safety, she held key leadership roles at Columbia Sportswear and SAIF, where she led safety culture improvements, strengthened compliance systems, and enhanced employee well-being in dynamic operational environments.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety from Oregon State University, a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Portland State University, and the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential. She also brings experience in change management, along with hands-on responsibility as a former Safety Program Manager overseeing compliance, training systems, and field implementation.
This combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and practical experience supports a hands-on, field-focused approach - strengthening regulatory compliance while improving long-term sustainability.