32 Organizations Win 2025 Theo Awards for Exceptional Worker Protection Innovations 

Second annual awards recognize employers achieving millions in cost savings through AI-powered prevention, mental health breakthroughs, and pandemic resilience strategies 

Nashville, TN – Thirty-two organizations have been honored with the 2025 Theo Awards, marking the second year of recognition for employers demonstrating notable innovation in workers' compensation and injury prevention. The awards, presented by National Comp and Risk & Insurance, spotlight companies that have transformed workplace safety from reactive compensation to proactive prevention while achieving substantial cost savings. 

Named for President Theodore Roosevelt—champion of America's first workers' compensation legislation—the awards honor employers who take bold steps to support injured workers, prevent injuries, and solve today's biggest workers' comp challenges. 

Industry Leaders Showcase Game-Changing Results 

This year's winners demonstrate how modern workplace safety has evolved beyond traditional approaches. The City of San Diego developed biopsychosocial treatment programs helping first responders heal from PTSD, addressing mental health in ways previous generations of workers' comp programs rarely considered. 

The Port of Houston Authority achieved a 77% reduction in medical costs through strategic partnerships and provider negotiations, proving that financial stewardship and worker care can advance together. Meanwhile, AARP navigated pandemic service disruptions to ensure injured employees received timely care during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. 

"In the 20+ years I've worked in the workers' comp industry, I've seen a remarkable transformation from what was an antagonistic and distrustful workplace environment to one that is worker-focused, compassionate and embraces whole-person care," said Michelle Kerr, Conference Chair for National Comp. "What I see now is an industry that is proactive, that invests in prevention and understands the true value of providing every injured worker with the best possible care." 

Technology Drives Prevention and Efficiency 

Several winners leveraged cutting-edge technology to protect workers and streamline operations. Overhead Door Corporation reduced incident reporting time from two hours to ten minutes through integrated risk management systems, dramatically improving response times and data collection. 

PepsiCo used wearable sensors to analyze delivery driver ergonomics, validating equipment investments that reduced injury risk by double digits—a concrete example of how data-driven insights can improve both worker safety and operational efficiency. 

Holistic Approaches Address Complex Worker Needs 

The 2025 winners also demonstrate how modern workplace safety addresses the full spectrum of worker wellness. Starbucks developed whole-person wellness programs to help their 175,000 employees navigate not just workplace injuries, but the broader challenges that impact their ability to heal and return to productive work. This comprehensive approach reflects a growing understanding that effective workers' comp programs must consider the complete employee experience. 

Aramark transformed their workers' compensation program into a hospitality experience, ensuring injured employees receive the same level of care the company provides to customers. This approach demonstrates how companies can align their workers' comp values with their broader business culture and customer service standards. 

Awards Spotlight Growing Recognition Program 

The 2025 Theo Award winners are featured in the September/October issue of Risk & Insurance magazine and will be honored at National Comp 2025, taking place November 11-12 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville conference will feature keynote speaker Noah Galloway, a U.S. Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and author who will deliver his address on Veterans Day. 

As a nonprofit conference produced by Risk & Insurance, a brand of The Institutes, National Comp differs from commercial trade shows by directing all proceeds toward educational and professional development efforts that benefit the broader insurance community. 

For more information about the Theo Awards and to view the complete list of winners, visit Risk & Insurance. Registration for National Comp 2025 is available at wcconference.com. 

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