Ayla Benavides Quesada

Ayla Benavides Quesada, CHMM, CSP, CEM, ABCP, currently serves as the Division Safety Coordinator and Drills, Training, & Exercise Team Lead at Berkeley Lab, with responsibilities including implementing DOE Emergency Management orders and conducting emergency management training. Ayla's extensive experience includes working as a Marine Safety Specialist - Response with the U.S. Coast Guard, where duties involved leading pollution response efforts and serving as a federal on-scene coordinator. Additional roles include environmental consultancy at Astra and environmental specialist positions at Chevron, where Ayla implemented comprehensive environmental health and safety programs. Ayla holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley and has been involved in major emergency responses, showcasing a strong commitment to safety and preparedness.