Issue 174 - August 2026
NEWS: WORTHY
California JPIA Recognizes Capstone Winner Kate Weihe
When Weihe was promoted to risk management analyst in August 2022, she immediately began drafting the city’s first Workplace Violence Prevention Policy & Training Plan. Once the plan was established, she developed an annual comprehensive training program and has since held sessions at each city facility to accommodate small, interactive groups. On that foundation, the project expanded to include improving security at facilities and establishing hands-on training drills. Recent security improvements at City Hall include installing security cameras on the campus and renovating key areas to prevent unauthorized access to workspaces. “This project has challenged me in many ways, but more importantly, has helped me grow,” said Weihe.
“Kate’s risk management approach is both thoughtful and impressive. Modern risk management is constantly evolving, so I admire her ability to balance core risk management principles with the need to adapt to real-time challenges and constraints,” said Senior Risk Manager Abe Han. “She knows when to stand firm, but she is also unafraid to change her mind when presented with a compelling perspective.”
According to HR and Risk Management Director Jodene Dunphy, Weihe’s commitment to her role and ability to turn ideas into meaningful change are among the reasons she excels. “Kate is an unsung hero in our organization, and I’m so glad she is receiving the recognition she deserves by receiving the 2026 Capstone Award,” said Dunphy.
In her role, Weihe has set the agency’s standard for workplace safety and reducing liability exposures.
“Kate takes the discipline of risk management seriously and treats it as a crucial responsibility,” said Dunphy. “Often, risk management is only noticed when things fail, but Kate’s relentless dedication and hands-on hard work ensure that Poway’s exposures are minimized as much as possible.”
Weihe’s dedication to workplace safety extends across the entire organization. By mentoring safety committee members, serving as a trusted resource for staff, and introducing risk management training into new-employee orientation, she has helped embed safety awareness in the organization’s culture and daily operations.
“Developing relationships across the city has been tremendously beneficial,” said Weihe. I have been fortunate to serve on employee committees alongside folks from every department, including the Safety Committee, the Employee Recognition Committee, and the employee newsletter crew. The organization’s leadership fosters an open-door culture, which is invaluable when dealing with all things under the risk umbrella.”
Among the many projects she manages, Weihe has strengthened the City of Poway’s risk management infrastructure through a variety of initiatives, including implementing the Company Nurse program for all employees, creating intranet pages that include workers’ compensation information, workplace safety videos, and training resources, and revising the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan to incorporate Cal/OSHA indoor heat standards. Working across departments, she helped establish safety standards for Code Compliance Officers, secured council approval for $500,000 in facility safety upgrades, and coordinated citywide emergency communication training. Her efforts also include claims management and regulatory compliance, where she has supported litigated liability claims, assisted with workers’ compensation investigations, and successfully managed the city’s response to a Cal/OSHA safety complaint.
Dunphy noted that Weihe’s influence extends beyond individual projects. “Kate does not work in a silo—employees know her, and she is extremely approachable. She works to create a culture where employee safety is valued and contributes to positive workplace morale.”
“Beyond the merits that make Kate a worthy Capstone Award winner, she is genuinely kind, gracious, curious, and humble,” said Han. “She can be having a chaotic day, but her character is consistent – and that is a rare quality in today’s fast-paced world.”
While every organization faces unique challenges, Weihe’s approach to risk management is applicable to any agency. She acknowledges that “risk is a broad spectrum that can feel overwhelming,” but she encourages others to start by identifying their biggest exposures and creating a plan to address them. A self-described fan of checklists and spreadsheets, Weihe likes to break down complex challenges into manageable steps, a philosophy that has guided her work and helped drive meaningful risk reduction throughout the City of Poway. “I look at what I would consider my biggest fires and create a plan,” said Weihe. “I also recognize the progress that happens along the way. Small steps toward a big accomplishment are to be celebrated!”
Presented annually, the Capstone Award honors an individual at a member agency who exemplifies the practice of risk management by supporting or improving risk management efforts within their agency, influencing others to do the same, and coordinating support systems that serve the member’s safety goals and needs. To learn more about the Capstone Award and view the finalist videos, visit the award webpage.
To join us and celebrate Weihe’s achievements in person, register for the 2026 Risk Management Educational Forum.
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