MCKINNEY, TX, September 18, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Evelyn L. Parks has been recognized for achievement in compliance and management.

Ms. Parks currently serves as the executive director of environment, health and safety (EHS) at AstraZeneca, a role she has held since 2026. In this capacity, Ms. Parks provides strategic oversight for EHS across the entire enterprise, holding responsibility for the well-being of a workforce numbering 96,000 employees. Her expertise in building out teams and shaping organizational culture is widely recognized, and she is regarded as an influential leader in the development and implementation of EHS programs and processes.

Before joining AstraZeneca, Ms. Parks was the global vice president for EHS at Kellanova from 2022 to 2026. Her tenure at Kellanova spanned two separate periods, during which she navigated significant organizational changes, including a corporate spin-off and a subsequent merger and acquisition. Ms. Parks was responsible for establishing the organizational structure and processes that supported both transitions. One of her proudest professional achievements was her ability to build sustainable teams capable of executing established strategies, with many individuals who worked under her advancing to senior-level positions.

Between 2021 and 2022, Ms. Parks led the North American EHS team at Mondelez International as its North America HSE lead. She also spent five years at Frito-Lay North America, PepsiCo, in Plano, Texas, serving as a senior director of EHS from 2016 to 2021. In this role, Ms. Parks continued to refine her approach to team development and cultural transformation within large organizations.

Ms. Parks's earlier career included three years as the director of EHS at The Wonderful Company in Delano, California, from 2013 to 2016. She also held multiple roles at Kellogg Company for nearly a decade, beginning as an RQT safety and environmental manager in 2004 and working her way up to a DSD safety senior manager of administration and compliance between 2012 and 2013. Notably, Ms. Parks was afforded the opportunity to also manage Kellogg's pilot plant during her tenure with the company.

Earlier still, Ms. Parks served as an EHS and quality systems manager at International Paper in Fort Worth, Texas, from 2000 to 2003. She began her professional journey as a co-op student with Dow Corning Corporation at age 17.

In preparation for her future, Ms. Parks received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in production operations management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her academic background laid the foundation for her operational acumen and understanding of complex organizational systems. Ms. Parks further enhanced her qualifications through several credentials, including past designation as a certified safety professional and as an associate safety professional, both awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals in 2014, and certification in biblical studies from Potters House School of Ministry in 2022.

Ms. Parks's commitment to professional growth is reflected not only in formal education but also through active participation in industry organizations, such as The Conference Board Inc., where she is a member. She also frequently accepts invitations to speak on panels addressing leadership experience across operations, enterprise functions and EHS topics and is often called upon by various professional organizations as a speaker on EHS matters.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms. Parks volunteers through her church community, participating in organized activities that support those around her. She draws satisfaction from giving back to the greater good.

Throughout her nearly three decades in the field of safety and health, Ms. Parks has developed a reputation for stepping into challenging situations where others have reached an impasse. Her ability to identify root causes of issues, stabilize environments and implement sustainable improvements has set her apart. Ms. Parks believes that effective leadership requires ongoing engagement with frontline realities rather than focusing solely on high-level strategy.

Ms. Parks is currently pursuing a board of directors certificate through the University of Michigan Ross program to deepen her expertise in board governance. Looking ahead, she plans to transition from traditional corporate roles into board service while continuing to advocate for elevating the profile of chief health and safety officer positions within organizations. Ms. Parks's goal remains focused on deploying strategies that improve working conditions for employees and create positive impacts on the environment, demonstrating not only what she does but why it matters.

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