Utility Safety Partners Welcomes Coral Lukaniuk as Executive Director, Damage Prevention Certification (DPC)

- Mike Sullivan, President, Utility Safety Partners 

In Q4, 2025, USP launched a search for an Executive Director to initiate and navigate USP’s Damage Prevention Certification program. The search attracted over 200 applicants from across Canada and beyond. Following the comprehensive review and interview process, Utility Safety Partners (USP) and the Training Standards Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of Coral Lukaniuk as Executive Director, Damage Prevention Certification (DPC). This new role reflects USP’s continued commitment to strengthening competency, accountability, and professionalism across the damage prevention landscape. 

Coral Lukaniuk, Executive Director -Damage Prevention Certification Program

Coral brings a strong background in management systems, program development, and stakeholder collaboration. Throughout her career with TC Energy, the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, and owner/Principal of coRoc Solutions, Coral has worked at the intersection of policy, operations, and education. She helps organizations translate vision into clear strategy and effective implementation.

“Coral’s successful track record and drive is precisely what the DPC needs to move forward. Over the past three years, the TSC has socialized the DPC program concept across Canada and into the United States. Feedback was overwhelming and anticipation for the program launch is high. We now know that there is a common industry sentiment that establishing Damage Prevention as a defined career path supported by the recognition of training and ongoing continuing education units is overdue.” - Debbie Shelley, CEO and Director at Global Training and co-Chair of USP’s Training Standards Committee.

But why is Utility Safety Partners providing the foundation for the DPC?

“Utility Safety Partners provides a neutral, trusted home for the DPC Program to mature. USP has emerged as a recognized not-for-profit Damage Prevention organization that will ensure the program is built for industry, by industry, with transparency and accountability at its core”. - Jeff Mulligan, CEO of Astec Safety and Chair of USP's Training Standards Committee. 

Advancing the Damage Prevention Certification Program

The DPC Program will elevate industry standards by ensuring individuals and organizations involved in all facets of the damage prevention process are provided with career paths and are properly trained, assessed, and recognized for their competence.

Some of the broad objectives of the Executive Director’s role include establishing a stakeholder advisory group to provide leadership and governance. They will identify the roles that directly and indirectly contribute to the damage prevention process, assess existing training, and identify gaps where new learning or standards are required to correctly position the DPC program. At its core, the DPC Program is about strengthening industry standards by enhancing and developing certification frameworks that reflect real-world risks, evolving technology, and best practices. It also focuses on improving workforce competency through consistent, high-quality training and assessment, while building trust and transparency by ensuring certification is meaningful, auditable, and respected by dedicated damage prevention professionals, regulators, owners, contractors, professional associations, and the public.

The DPC Program is a key pillar of USP’s mission to protect people, property, and the environment from damage related to ground disturbance. Under Coral’s leadership, the program will continue to move from concept to capability helping industry demonstrate not just intent, but proven competence.

“Certification isn’t about paperwork. It’s about confidence in the field. My focus is to ensure the Damage Prevention Certification Program supports practical skills, consistent performance, and shared responsibility across the damage prevention ecosystem.” - Coral Lukaniuk – Executive Director, DPC

Utility Safety Partners looks forward to Coral’s leadership as the organization continues to modernize damage prevention through education, technology, and collaboration.

Please join us in welcoming Coral Lukaniuk to Utility Safety Partners!