EHS leaders have long faced serious challenges in identifying and applying effective practices:
Proprietary tools that limit access
Algorithms and data that are hard to interpret
Knowledge hidden behind consulting paywalls
These barriers limit our collective ability to understand what works across different industries, cultures, and communities. They hold back progress in a field built on learning, trust, and action.
We Believe There’s a Better Way
The What Works Institute exists to remove those barriers. We believe the best outcomes happen when people are empowered to:
Collaborate deeply, across sectors and silos
Exchange ideas freely, without restrictions
Test ideas, with discipline and clarity
Share insights plainly, so others can build on them
We bring leaders together to focus on real progress. No isolation. No jargon. No excuses. Practical, peer-driven learning that helps organizations identify and apply what works.
The What Works Model
The What Works Model is rooted in decades of hands-on experience in the EHS field. Our team has worked across frontline operations and executive leadership, contributing to research, coalition-building, program design, and organizational change.
We draw from the legacy of EHS pioneers who moved the field beyond guesswork toward deeper understanding. We carry that work forward by helping leaders explore, validate, and apply what drives lasting improvement.
Our method combines practical research with peer-based learning. We explore what works, validate it in real-world contexts, and help organizations apply it in ways that are clear, relevant, and built to last.