Leadership Transition Strengthens NETS Governance and Strategic Continuity
The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has announced the installation of Elizabeth (Liz) Pulver, Senior Program Manager of Transportation Research at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Companies, as Vice Chairperson of its Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s governance evolution and long-term strategic planning. Pulver’s appointment follows amendments to the NETS bylaws that align the Vice Chairperson’s term with the two-year term of the Chairperson, a structural enhancement designed to ensure stronger leadership continuity, smoother succession planning, and sustained momentum in advancing employer-led traffic safety initiatives across industries. Under this updated governance framework, Pulver will serve as Vice Chairperson through 2027 and is slated to assume the role of Board Chairperson in 2028, reinforcing NETS’ forward-looking leadership model and commitment to stability at a time when transportation safety challenges are rapidly evolving due to technological advancement, shifting workforce dynamics, and increasing roadway complexity.
A Veteran Transportation Safety Leader with Cross-Sector Expertise
Pulver brings more than two decades of transportation research and safety expertise to her expanded leadership role, combining deep academic rigor with applied industry experience that spans insurance, automotive research, public policy collaboration, and multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement. Since joining State Farm in 2010, she has played a pivotal role in shaping research-driven strategies that address driver behavior, vehicle technology innovation, fleet risk mitigation, and equitable mobility access, working closely with academic institutions, industry partners, and public agencies to translate data insights into practical interventions that improve roadway safety outcomes. Prior to her tenure at State Farm, Pulver conducted research at General Motors R&D, where she contributed to advancing knowledge in vehicle systems, human factors, and transportation risk analysis, experiences that broadened her understanding of how engineering, behavioral science, and policy intersect to influence crash prevention and injury reduction efforts. Her cross-sector background uniquely positions her to guide NETS as employers increasingly adopt advanced driver assistance systems, telematics-based fleet monitoring, electric and automated vehicle technologies, and integrated mobility solutions within their corporate transportation programs.
Commitment to Evidence-Based Safety and Risk Reduction
NETS has long emphasized the importance of research-backed, data-driven strategies in helping employers reduce crash risk among employees who drive for work, and Pulver’s appointment underscores that commitment to scientific rigor and measurable impact. Board Chairperson Tom Karnowski noted that Pulver’s research-driven perspective and strong dedication to advancing transportation safety will enhance NETS’ capacity to deliver evidence-based strategies that meaningfully reduce risk exposure across diverse employer fleets and commuting populations. Her leadership approach centers on synthesizing peer-reviewed research, real-world crash data, and behavioral science principles to inform practical guidance for employers seeking to improve driver performance, implement safer fleet policies, and support sustainable mobility transitions. As roadway environments become more complex with the integration of connected vehicle systems, micromobility platforms, and evolving traffic patterns, NETS’ emphasis on informed decision-making becomes even more critical, and Pulver’s analytical background strengthens the organization’s ability to adapt responsibly to emerging risks while maintaining a clear focus on injury and fatality reduction.
Expanding Employer-Led Road Safety Initiatives
Throughout her career, Pulver has championed the idea that employers play a central and influential role in improving national road safety outcomes, particularly given that millions of workers operate vehicles as part of their professional responsibilities or commute daily as part of workforce mobility ecosystems. Her work at State Farm has included leading programs that address driver behavior analytics, the safety implications of emerging vehicle technologies, fleet safety optimization strategies, and equitable access to safe transportation options, all areas that directly align with NETS’ mission to reduce traffic crashes and injuries through employer engagement. By fostering intentional partnerships among private companies, research institutions, public agencies, and industry associations, Pulver has consistently advocated for collaborative safety solutions that extend beyond organizational silos, recognizing that systemic improvements require coordinated action across sectors. Her perspective emphasizes that reducing roadway risk is not solely a regulatory responsibility but a shared societal obligation in which employers can serve as proactive safety leaders by implementing strong driver policies, investing in training, leveraging telematics and advanced safety features, and promoting a culture of accountability and well-being.
Professional Leadership Across Transportation and Human Factors Communities
In addition to her corporate leadership responsibilities, Pulver has maintained active involvement in prominent professional organizations that shape national and international transportation safety discourse. She has served in leadership roles within the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the Society for Applied Anthropology, reflecting a career characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to integrating engineering, medicine, behavioral science, and social research into holistic safety frameworks. As a co-author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, she has contributed to advancing knowledge on driver performance, crash causation, injury biomechanics, technology integration, and risk communication, reinforcing her reputation as a thought leader who bridges academic research with practical implementation. Her participation in these professional communities not only broadens NETS’ strategic perspective but also ensures that the organization remains connected to cutting-edge research findings and evolving best practices that can be translated into employer guidance and policy recommendations.
Aligning Governance Structure with Strategic Vision
The decision to align the Vice Chairperson’s term with the two-year Chairperson term reflects NETS’ broader strategic effort to enhance governance efficiency and ensure continuity in leadership direction, especially as transportation safety priorities become increasingly complex and multifaceted. By creating a structured progression from Vice Chairperson to Chairperson, NETS aims to foster deeper institutional knowledge transfer, smoother strategic transitions, and long-term planning stability that benefits its corporate members and partners. Pulver’s upcoming transition to Board Chairperson in 2028 provides a clear roadmap for leadership succession, allowing her to contribute to current initiatives while simultaneously preparing to guide future strategic agendas that address automation, electrification, driver monitoring technologies, and evolving workforce mobility patterns. This governance alignment signals to stakeholders that NETS is proactively strengthening its organizational foundation to better support employers in navigating rapidly changing transportation landscapes while maintaining an unwavering focus on crash prevention and injury mitigation.
Vision for the Future of Roadway Safety
Upon accepting her new role, Pulver expressed her honor in serving as Vice Chairperson and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the collaborative environment that NETS fosters in advancing employer-led road safety initiatives. She emphasized that employers occupy a uniquely influential position in reducing roadway risk by shaping policies, investing in technology, and promoting safety culture across diverse workforces, and she voiced enthusiasm for continuing to work alongside fellow Board members to expand the reach and impact of NETS programs. Her vision includes strengthening partnerships, expanding research translation efforts, and ensuring that evidence-based recommendations remain accessible and actionable for employers of all sizes. As transportation systems continue to integrate advanced driver assistance systems, connected infrastructure, electric vehicle adoption, and data-driven fleet management tools, Pulver’s leadership will likely emphasize responsible innovation balanced with human-centered design principles that prioritize driver well-being and equitable mobility access.
Reinforcing NETS’ Commitment to Safer Roads
With Pulver’s appointment as Vice Chairperson for 2026–2027, NETS reinforces its long-standing commitment to leadership continuity, research integrity, and strategic collaboration in pursuit of safer roads for all. Her career trajectory, spanning automotive research, insurance-based safety strategy, academic partnership development, and professional association leadership, reflects the multidimensional approach required to address modern traffic safety challenges. By integrating her research expertise with NETS’ employer-focused mission, the organization strengthens its ability to guide companies in implementing comprehensive safety frameworks that reduce crashes, protect employees, and contribute to broader public health goals. As she prepares to assume the Chairperson role in 2028, Pulver’s appointment represents not only a leadership milestone but also a reaffirmation of NETS’ dedication to evidence-based road safety strategy, proactive governance, and collaborative action designed to save lives and reduce risk across the transportation ecosystem.
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