Dawn Baker-McTighe
Safety Manager, Cleveland, OH
A change maker. Tirelessly committed to safety. Leads with firmness, fairness, consistency and respect.
Firm. Fair. Consistent. Respectful. – It’s Dawn Baker-McTighe’s mantra; the words she uses to guide the decisions she makes throughout the course of her workday.
In her 22 years with Olympic Steel, Dawn has had several roles and been responsible for Safety at multiple divisions. From Regional Safety Manager to Human Resources/Safety Manager to her current role, Safety Manager for Cleveland, Dover and Olympic Steel’s Corporate office, she’s always focused on keeping employees safe.
She’s seen a shift in the Safety culture – small changes over time that have a positive impact. Dawn’s played a big part in creating the change and it’s something she’s proud of. “The simple moments, like when an employee ‘gets it’, make me proud of the work we put in to help keep everyone safe,” she explains.
Part of that work, and one of the 2020 Safety Action Plan items, was developing a divisional Safety committee and holding regular meetings. Dawn’s proud of the Safety committees at the Cleveland and Dover divisions. “We’re a cohesive, engaged team,” she says. “We accomplish tasks and actively participate in creating a safe environment for all employees.”
Developing effective teams takes work and support from others. Dawn credits each of her managers from her 22 years at Olympic Steel for helping her develop in her career. “All of my managers have pushed me to my limits and tested my ability to adhere to the Core Values. My passion for keeping people safe guides my actions, but early in my career, I had to be reeled in,” she says with a wink and a chuckle. “Each of my supervisors used their own unique management style that helped guide me and shape me into the person and employee I am today.”
When asked what makes her happy to come to work each day, Dawn says, “The people. Keeping them safe and helping them to be safe. Even if it’s not related to safety, I’m going to help them anyway.” She considers herself the “go-to girl” because she’s been here for a long time and she has seen (and done) a lot.
“Dawn demonstrates our Core Values of Safety, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity and Corporate Citizenship every day,” say Tony Dominic, Director of Safety, Health and Environment. “She is a caring and compassionate leader who leads through action – within Olympic Steel and also in outside organizations like AWMI.”
Dawn has been a member of the Association of Women in the Metals Industry (AWMI) Cleveland Chapter for five years and is the current Programs Chair. She says, “I’m the party planner! It takes me out of my comfort zone and helps me grow personally and professionally.”
Dawn applies this lesson of stepping outside of her comfort zone to her own job and believes it has helped her to be successful. She offers this advice to others interested in building a long career: “Learn as much as you can about the departments and how they function. Work as a team to know each other’s struggles and understand how your role fits with others.”
After more than 22 years with the Company, Dawn has seen a lot, learned a lot and had a tremendous impact. What keeps her focused, positive and productive? Her mantra. Her true north. A reminder to always be … Firm. Fair. Consistent. Respectful.
