Introduction

In this important episode, a panel of experts discuss the complexities of crisis management on a global scale. The panel offers critical insights based on their crisis management roles in global organizations.

Among the items discussed are:

-Organizational preparedness

-Capacity building

-Building sustainable crisis management teams

-Synchronizing organizational silos

-Certainty management

-Embedding crisis management into the organizational

-Artificial intelligence and Crisis Management

-Much more

Panel Members

Andrea Davis

CEO, The Resiliency Initiative

Former Global Emergency Manager, Walmart

Former Global Emergency Manager, Disney Corporation

Bruce McIndoe

President, McIndoe Risk Advisory

Founder iJet Risk Intelligence

Lead architect US Government intelligence

Vincent Davis

Director of Disaster Services, Feeding America

Founder, Preparedness Matters

Program Manager Emergency Preparedness & Response,

Corporate Emergency Manager, Amazon

Contact Information

Each panel member can be contacted through their LinkedIn

Introduction

As a CEO with extensive leadership experience in the emergency management sector, Nora O'Brien is seeking to leverage her strategic vision, stakeholder management skills, and crisis management expertise to drive growth and success for a lucrative emergency management firm. With a Master's degree in Public Affairs specializing in Disaster and Emergency Management, and a B.S. in Political Science with a focus on International Relations, Nora brings a strong educational background to her role. As the CEO and Owner of Connect Consulting Services, Inc., she has led a woman-owned national emergency management and business continuity planning firm, successfully completing hundreds of projects across 47 states. Nora's demonstrated crisis management skills are evidenced by her leadership during emergencies such as the Cedar Fire, Hurricane Katrina, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her CEO role, Nora contributes to the field as a FEMA Adjunct Instructor, a contributing writer for Emergency Management Magazine, and an instructor for the Center for Domestic Preparedness. With her skills in strategic vision and planning, stakeholder management, and crisis management, Nora is well-equipped to drive organizational growth and success in the emergency management industry.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/noraobrien/

Introduction

Rob Gaudet is CEO/Founder at Cajun Navy Ground Force, a boots on the ground nonprofit that leverages lessons learned to drive digital innovation in disaster response. He is an innovator, engineer, author, media personality and speaker and was selected as 2016 Louisianian of the Year.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgaudet/

https://gocajunnavy.org/

Introduction

Emergency Managers Andrea Davis, Mona Curry, and Jamie Quarelles join Steven Kuhr to discuss the contributions and challenges of women in Emergency Management. The panel hit broad topics including organizational leadership, mentorship, bias, the comfort zone, servant leadership, and much more. See biographical profiles below.

Andrea Davis is a recognized expert in the field of emergency management who has dedicated her career to bridging the silos between the public and private sectors to create a united approach when it comes to disaster risk reduction. Ms. Davis has held leadership roles with NGOs (The American Red Cross, Save the Children US), the US Federal Government (FEMA, The Federal Reserve) and for Fortune 500 Companies (Walmart, Disney). With each role, Ms. Davis used her influence to lead global initiatives focused on the importance of making risk informed determinations and engaging all members of the community in the decision-making process. Currently, Ms. Davis is the President and CEO of a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), The Resiliency Initiative (TRI). Ms. Davis founded TRI out of a passion to serve the whole community before, during, and after an emergency.

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaeileendavis/

Mona Curry

During her 28-year tenure with the City of Los Angeles Mona specialized in responding to disasters, fortifying disaster readiness and strengthening community resilience. Culminating her city career as an Emergency Manager for Operations Valley Bureau of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Her engagement extends beyond official capacities. As a consultant for a Hawaii-based non-profit, Mona is actively involved in an innovative project to provide community resilience. The Ko’olauloa Resiliency Hub will set a benchmark for similar resilience initiatives throughout the State of Hawaii. Mona also holds a position as a Board Member appointed to the State of Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency, serving on the Governor’s Advisory Council. This appointment by Governor David Ige for the term spanning 2021 to 2025 underscores her commitment to driving impactful strategies for disaster response and readiness.

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monacurry/

Jamie Quarrelles CEM®, is with the Preparedness Bureau within the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA). She is responsible for emergency management, homeland security planning and compliance activities within the District and the National Capital Region (NCR). She serves as a subject matter expert participating on numerous panels, advisory groups, task forces, and steering committees addressing emergency management issues. She delivered numerous presentations to communities and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally on emergency management and preparedness strategies.

Ms. Quarrelles has extensive employment experience with Federal, State and Local Government, and private sector organizations. She also has numerous years of operational experience with the District of Columbia Government in the Executive Office of The Mayor, Department of Public Works, and the Department of Transportation. Her private sector experience includes the Executive Offices of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the National League of Cities.

In 2017 she became a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) by the International Association of Emergency Managers. She is an Alumna of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI), through the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Center for Public Leadership.

Other Professional affiliations include Assessor for the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), and a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-quarrelles-cem-0225371/

Introduction

Jack is a retired Fire Marshal, serving as Deputy Chief with the Leonia Fire Department. He also served 15 years as Countywide Deputy Fire Coordinator for Bergen, NJ. He is the past chairman of the Fire/Life Safety Directors Association of Greater New York and an adjunct professor at John Jay College/Fire Science Institute (NYC).

He is a principal member on the following Fire Life Safety committees:

- High-Rise Building Safety Advisory Board

- NFPA 1660 Emergency, Continuity, and Crisis Management, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

- NFPA 1082 Facilities Fire/Life Safety Director Professional Qualifications

- NFPA 2800 Facility Emergency Action Plans.

- ICC National Fire Code Action Committee.

As a Fire Engineering Magazine contributing editor he has written many fire service articles and the Handbook for Firefighter I and II chapter on Pre-Incident Planning. He has co-authored books on: High-Rise Buildings: Understanding the Vertical Challenges; and Bridging the Gap - Fire Safety and Green Buildings. In 1997, he was appointed an FDNY Honorary Battalion Chief. He is a member of the Clarion/FDIC Fire and Rescue Advisory Board and was the recipient of the 2012 Fire Engineering Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more information on:

- Building Intelligence Card go to: www.ebisg.com 

- High-Rise Buildings; Understanding the Vertical Challenges book go to:

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-j-murphy-1939a610/

Introduction

Dr. Asha M. George is the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. She is a public health security professional whose research and programmatic emphasis has been practical, academic, and political. She served in the US House of Representatives as a senior professional staffer and subcommittee staff director at the House Committee on Homeland Security in the 110th and 111th Congress. She has worked for a variety of organizations, including government contractors, foundations, and non-profits. As a contractor, she supported and worked with all Federal Departments, especially the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. George also served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence officer and as a paratrooper. She is a decorated Desert Storm Veteran. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is also a graduate of the Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative.

Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Reports

https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashamgeorge/

Introduction

As the former Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Office of Emergency Management and Chief Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross in Greater New York, Kelly McKinney has had a leadership role in every major disaster in New York City for more than 20 years, from the 9/11 attacks to Superstorm Sandy to Covid-19. He teaches crisis management at NYU and was recently appointed to FEMA's National Advisory Council.

Nationally known for his writing and speaking on the principles and practice of disaster management, he is the author of "Moment of Truth, the Nature of Catastrophes and How to Prepare for Them". His 5-minute video, The Essential Emergency Manager, has been viewed more than 125,000 times on YouTube. He is a professional engineer with a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas and an MPA from Columbia University in the City of New York.

Key Positions

• Assistant Vice President of Emergency Management and Enterprise Resilience at NYU Langone Health

• Chief Disaster Officer, American Red Cross of Greater New York

• Deputy Commissioner for Preparedness, New York City Office of Emergency Management

• Associate Commissioner for Environmental Health, New York City Department of Health

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mckinney-2a990726

Twitter: @kellymnyc

Introductions

Peter Goelz offers decades of

transportation, crisis

political strategy.  Mr. Goelz has

for O’Neill and Associates from

Counsel status. Prior to that he

Communications Practice Group for

Worldwide.

Mr. Goelz has been active in

four decades having worked for and

Governors. He served as Executive

Governor Hugh J. Gallen, worked

William J. Clinton.

In addition, Mr. Goelz was

Managing Director of the National

joining the NTSB in 1995, Mr.

of government affairs, public

Managing Director.  As Managing

included handling the day-to-day

as chief policy advisor to the

passage of the agency’s

legislation and testified on

of the country’s most experienced

Mr. Goelz was on scene and

numerous aviation accidents,

coast of New York; EgyptAir off

Airlines in Arkansas; and the J.

coast of Massachusetts. Mr. Goelz

White House, the FBI and the CIA.

directed investigative activities

surface accidents.

While serving in the Clinton

White House to work on security

in Seattle, WA,

In September of 1990 Goelz began

while they were in exile.

Arabia, he helped stand up the

and crafted a number of innovative

of Kuwait.

In the private sector, Mr. Goelz

unions, and corporations, advising

matters. For the Warren Buffet

first crisis response plan and

accident,

His current and past clients have

PG&E, NetJets, Presidential

Airport, the Association of

Mr. Goelz is a sought-after

is currently under contract with

appeared in numerous national and

Today, New York

Mr. Goelz is a member of the Aero

International Aviation Club, and

Safety Investigators (ISASI

Mr. Goelz, holds both a Bachelors

wife, reside in Alexandria,

 Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-goelz-851864a1/

Introduction

Erika Andresen, CBCP, JD, MPA, is a recovering lawyer after nearly two decades of experience in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert on national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands on their authorities and during high-risk situations in Afghanistan and domestic disasters stateside. She also has extensive experience writing injects and acting as an observer/trainer/coach for large-scale military exercises. Her work with actual disasters led her to attain a Master of Public Affairs.

Erika left active duty in 2020 and has since started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. To that end, she authored How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong, a conversational introduction to business continuity enjoyed by CBCP practitioners and business owners alike. She has been quoted in articles for Forbes, Dark Reading, and MoneyGeek on the issues of business continuity and disaster preparedness as well as appearing as a frequent guest on podcasts internationally.

Key Positions

-Founder, EaaS Consulting, LLC

-Chief, National Security Law, 7th Infantry Division, US Army

- Chief, International Law, 353rd Civil Affairs Command

-Counsel to the Commanding General, TAACOM South, Kandagar, Afghanistan and Natick Soldier Systems Center, US Army

- EOC Legal Advisor, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, US Army

-Professor of Emergency Management, University of Texas at El Paso, MPA Program

Contact Information

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-andresen

Introduction

Chief Jack Jones has served for over 35 years in several emergency service roles.

The chief's positions include:

- Fire Chief, Bedford County Fire and Rescue Department (20 plus years)

 -Emergency Management Director, (Bedford County, VA)

- Flight Paramedic

- Paramedic Instructor

- Fire Investigator

-Jack has completed the FEMA Emergency Management Institute Advanced Professional Series (APS) and is a graduate of the U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) and the War College of the American Fire Service

-Jack is a credentialed Chief Medical Officer (CMO) designee, he holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and International Relations

-Jack is currently an Occupational Health & Safety Specialist with the Virginia Department of Health.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-w-jones-jr-efo-bs-ma-a442b6292/