John Dony

John is the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of the What Works Institute. Before launching What Works in November of 2024, John served as Director at the Phylmar Group, a US west coast-focused EHS network organization that covers critical and emerging safety, health, environmental, and regulatory issues. John and the What Works team continue to manage and direct Phylmar membership in their new capacities.

Prior to this, John had a 16-year career at the National Safety Council, and last served as the organization’s Vice President of Workplace Strategy. In that capacity, he led vision and strategic direction for the NSC Workplace Practice, including for thought leadership programs and offerings including the Campbell Institute, Work to Zero, SAFER, the MSD Solutions Lab, NSC Networks, and the Council’s deep array of training, survey, and consultative services. John also led a variety of research and impact initiatives around emerging topics and issues of interest to safety & health leaders.

John has previously held quality management, project management, and coalition-building positions in the communication and educational fields. He graduated from Northwestern University with a dual bachelor's degree in Sociology and Creative Writing.