Welcome to Guardian Group

About Us

We bring experience from high-risk operations, education, and leadership to help organizations build systems that support people and improve performance.

Dave and Haley exiting the plane together
About Us

Our Story

Guardian Group Safety & Leadership Solutions was founded by Haley and David Vincent, two industry professionals with a shared commitment to helping people work safely and effectively. After years of hands-on experience in tree care, aviation, education, and leadership, they saw a gap between how safety was often taught and how work actually happened. Guardian Group was created to help close that gap.

We help organizations build stronger operations by focusing on leadership, systems, and the people doing the work. We don’t treat safety as a separate function that can be managed apart from day-to-day operations. We believe safe work is the natural result of work that is well designed, well supported, and backed by strong leadership. By strengthening operational systems and giving teams practical training and support, we help make safety part of how the work gets done.

Our Philosophy

We believe organizations don’t need a “safety cop.” Policing safety can make an operation less safe when it encourages people to hide mistakes instead of discussing the conditions that shaped them.

When people are blamed and punished for an unsafe choice, they don’t necessarily stop making those choices. They may simply get better at hiding them. That leaves leaders addressing the behavior they can see without understanding what drove the decision in the first place.

We can’t control every decision a person makes. We can control the system we ask them to work within.

Because safety isn’t something you police into an organization. It’s the result of an operation that works well.

How We Work

Instead of asking, “Why did this person make an unsafe choice?” we ask, “What made that choice make sense in the moment?”

Was there production pressure? An inefficient process? Inadequate training? Conflicting expectations? A missing resource? A system that made the safer option harder, slower, or less practical?

We focus on understanding how the work actually gets done and identifying the conditions that influence behavior. Then, we work alongside leaders to address the systems behind recurring problems and develop practical solutions that make work safer, more efficient, and more effective — building operations where the safe choice is also the practical choice.

Our Values

  • Top-Down Leadership. Leaders create the conditions their teams work within. Meaningful change starts with leadership taking ownership of those conditions.
  • People-First. People are not the problem. We seek to understand their experience, respect their expertise, and build systems that support them in doing their work safely & efficiently.
  • Accountability. Accountability means owning what is within your control. We help organizations move beyond blame and focus on what leaders, teams, and systems can actually change.
  • Practicality. A solution only works if it works in the real world. We prioritize straightforward, sustainable improvements that make sense for the people expected to use them.
  • Objectivity. We approach problems with curiosity instead of assumptions, looking at what is actually happening before deciding what should change.
  • Humility. Good leadership requires the willingness to question your own assumptions, hear uncomfortable information, and change course when the evidence says there’s a better way.
Who We Are

Our Team

David Vincent

David Vincent

Co-Founder, Guardian Group Safety and Leadership Solutions

David Vincent is a highly credentialed safety professional and trainer with over 15 years of experience in creating and implementing world-class safety programs across industries. As a founding member of Guardian Group Safety and Leadership Solutions, Dave combines his extensive certifications and hands-on expertise to help organizations develop safer workplaces, enhance leadership skills, and drive operational excellence.

With a degree in Education and a passion for mentoring, Dave specializes in helping leaders integrate safety as a core component of operational excellence. His approach focuses on top-down leadership, ensuring safety is embedded into an organization's culture and aligned with its goals. By empowering leaders to champion safety, Dave fosters environments where teams feel supported, engaged, and committed to getting everyone home safe each day.

Dave's work is driven by the belief that safety is not a standalone task but a fundamental aspect of how organizations operate. He is committed to bridging the gap between compliance and culture, helping businesses not only meet standards but also thrive by building trust and accountability at every level.

With over 3,000 skydives and advanced certifications as a United States Parachute Association (USPA) Sigma Tandem Instructor, Safety & Training Advisor, and Professional Canopy Pilot, Dave understands what it means to operate in high-stakes, high-risk environments. This experience informs his practical, results-driven approach to safety and leadership, blending precision, risk management, and collaboration.

At Guardian Group SLS, Dave's mission is to empower organizations to achieve safety excellence through leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Whether conducting workplace safety audits, developing tailored training programs, or consulting on leadership strategies, David partners with organizations to create cultures where safety and success go hand in hand.

Certifications
  • Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
  • Safety Management Professional (SMP)
  • Certified Tree-Care Safety Professional (CTSP)
  • ISA Certified Arborist
  • Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)
  • Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT)
  • OSHA 30-Hour Training
  • USPA Safety & Training Advisor
  • USPA Tandem Skydiving Instructor
  • USPA Coach & AFF Instructor
  • State of Michigan Teaching Certificate
  • American Red Cross First Aid / CPR / AED Instructor
Haley Vincent

Haley Vincent

Co-Founder, Guardian Group Safety and Leadership Solutions

Haley combines exceptional leadership and safety expertise developed through years of experience in the high-risk world of skydiving. As a Dropzone Manager, FAA Senior Rigger, and USPA Skydiving Instructor, she played a pivotal role in transforming Skydive Grand Haven from a single Cessna operation into a thriving multi-turbine business. Her ability to manage complex operations while fostering a culture of safety and accountability underscores her unique skill set in driving a strong and effective safety culture, business growth, and operational excellence.

Haley's expertise extends to building high-performing teams, streamlining processes, and finding creative solutions to unique challenges. She takes pride in educating others in ways that resonate with their individual learning styles, believing that effective learning is the foundation for strong leadership and impactful safety practices. This personalized approach, paired with her engaging and approachable demeanor, makes Haley an invaluable partner for organizations aiming to elevate their safety culture.

Haley's work emphasizes the critical connection between leadership and safety, helping organizations develop cultures that value safety as a driver of efficiency and success. With her engaging and approachable style, Haley excels at equipping leaders with actionable strategies to inspire change and foster accountability. Her commitment to transforming safety from a compliance exercise into a seamless part of daily operations sets her apart, making her an invaluable partner for organizations aiming to elevate their safety culture.

Certifications
  • IS-906: Basic Workplace Security Awareness (FEMA Emergency Management Institute)
  • FAA Certified Senior Rigger
  • IS-235.C: Emergency Planning (FEMA Emergency Management Institute)
  • USPA Coach & IAD Instructor
  • USPA Tandem Instructor

Want to Work Together?

See how Guardian Group can support your organization.

Our Services Contact Us