Riding the Wave-Project Management for Emergency Managers

Hosted by Andrew Boyarsky

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Apr 2026

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Emergency management is a growing discipline as our world has become increasingly more complex, interconnected, and vulnerable to hazards both natural and human caused. The role of the emergency manager, including leaders in public safety, has expanded and become more vital to cities, counties, states, and large organizations, and much of this work can be contained and effectively managed within projects, be they longer term plans, disaster recovery, mitigation measures or short-term emergency responses to a disaster. This podcast series focuses on project management topics for emergency managers. Come with us as we ride the wave!

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29 recent

April 13, 202632 min

Slow Down to Speed Up: Jonathan Spector on Establishing AI Guard Rails

SummaryJonathan Spector, Founder & Principal Advisor at Converge Strategic Partners, joins the podcast to unpack how emergency managers — especially solo practitioners and multi-hatters — can adopt AI deliberately and safely. Drawing on his recent All Hazards Consortium (AHC) webinar, Jonathan walks through the minimum governance decisions needed before touching AI, how to verify outputs when the clock is running, how to build a lightweight audit trail, and how to avoid the trap of passive AI dependency. The conversation closes with a sharp look at "trendslop" — AI's tendency to serve up crowd-pleasing answers over the hard, operationally necessary choices that real emergencies demand.Timestamps1:37 Go Slow to Go Fast: Minimum governance decisions, the stoplight model, and building your lightweight review circle8:00 Verify Before Trust: Consequence-driven verification workflows, no-go outputs, and two-person integrity for solo shops13:31 Follow the Audit Trail: Where logging lives operationally, keeping it lightweight, and the unintended learning loop16:08 AI Dependency & Human Deskilling: Preserving expert judgment, designing active human-AI workflows, and what to demand from vendors27:27 Trendslop: Why AI favors consensus over context, and how to force trade-offs instead of buzzword-driven incrementalismAboutJonathan Spector is Founder & Principal Advisor at Converge Strategic Partners and a leadership and strategy advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping public-sector, emergency management, homeland security, and cross-sector leaders align priorities, strengthen coordination, and move from strategy to execution. He has worked with government and regional leadership teams on planning, stakeholder alignment, governance, and complex coordination challenges, especially in high-stakes environments where trust, clarity, and execution matter. His current work includes helping leaders navigate AI in practical terms, focusing on governance, guardrails, adoption, and the human side of change.Links:Converge Strategic Partnershttps://www.convergesp.com/Jonathan’s LI profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jospector/Leading Through AI for Emergency Management Leaders Executive Reference Guidehttps://www.convergesp.com/ai-executive-reference-guide Research:Harvard Business Review. (2026, March). Researchers asked LLMs for strategic advice. They got “trendslop” in return.https://hbr.org/2026/03/researchers-asked-llms-for-strategic-advice-they-got-trendslop-in-returnLee, E.H., Yin, Y., Jia, N. et al. Relying on AI at work reduces self-efficacy, ownership, and meaning while active collaboration mitigates the effects. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42312-6Snair, J. (2026, March 28). 10 questions (and 7 buzzwords) to ask any AI vendor before you sign. Preppr.ai On the Edge.https://preppr.ai/blog/10-questions-(and-7-buzzwords)-to-ask-any-ai-vendor-before-you-signTank, A. (2026, March 3). Why the next phase of ChatGPT will be specialized. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/aytekintank/2026/03/03/why-the-next-phase-of-chatgpt-will-be-specialized/

March 23, 202630 min

Speed Up to Slow Down: AI as a Force Multiplier EMs with Tom Sivak

This episode features Tom Sivak, Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where we discuss why artificial intelligence is no longer optional for the emergency management community — it's a matter of survival. We explore how underfunded, understaffed EM agencies can leverage AI as a force multiplier across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Tom shares his vision of turning static emergency plans into living, role-based decision support tools, moving from project-based to program-based AI integration, and protecting decision-making from misinformation and AI hallucinations. The conversation underscores that while AI accelerates information synthesis and planning, humans remain firmly in control. Either we adopt and control the technology or it winds up controlling us.Time Stamps2:20 — AI as a Force Multiplier: Why It's Survival, Not Just Innovation, for the One-Person EM Shop9:21 — Hesitancy & Fear: "AI Will Take Our Jobs" vs. Humans Still Controlling the Levers11:39 — From AI-Curious to AI-Enabled: Operationalizing AI on Blue-Sky and Gray-Sky Days15:04 — "Plans Should Come to Us": Turning Static PDFs into Living Decision Support22:39 — Velocity of Crisis & Information Overload: Protecting Decision-Making from Bad Inputs and OutputsAboutTom Sivak is the Chief Emergency Manager at EM1, where he’s focused on putting AI to work for real-world preparedness, response, and operational planning. He previously served as FEMA Region 5 Administrator, leading federal emergency management support across the Great Lakes region—including dozens of tribal nations—and has also held senior local roles in Chicago and Cook County emergency management. Sivak is a certified emergency manager (CEM®) with a practitioner-first track record building capability, sharpening coordination, and pushing readiness that actually holds up under pressure.Links:https://em1.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-sivak-ms-cem/

March 10, 202629 min

Empowering Emergency Management through Project Management: A Conversation with Ashley Morris

This episode features Ashley Morris, EM Coordinator for Gillespie County and Fredericksburg, Texas, about using project management to stop the “whack-a-mole” cycle. She lays out how PM turns emergency management into disciplined, strategic execution across preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.What if your biggest preparedness upgrade isn’t a new plan—it’s running your EM program through effective project management? Morris breaks down how establishing priorities, project timelines, and follow-through create partners who actually show up and perform. From building force multipliers in a shop of one to using EMAP as the benchmark, rebooting CERT, testing a Business EOC, and preparing a tourism-driven community, she’s pushing a simple standard: less busywork, more guided and intended results—guided by mandates and leadership direction.Time Stamps00:53 Introduction01:31 Why Project Management Matters03:36 Force Multipliers for Solo EM05:54 Community Outreach Strategy08:39 Defining the EM Role12:03 Rebuilding CERT Volunteers14:27 Tourism and Business Readiness17:55 Bridging Government and Community23:37 Engaging Fire EMS Police25:06 Prioritizing the Project PortfolioAboutAshley Morris, CEM, is the Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) for Gillespie County, TX and the City of Fredericksburg. She is an emergency management professional dedicated to bridging meteorology and emergency management to strengthen community preparedness and real-time decision-making. With a multidisciplinary background spanning atmospheric science, natural hazards, GIS mapping, social media, and social vulnerability research, she is passionate about translating research into practical strategy that improves how agencies and communities anticipate, communicate, and respond to weather-driven threats. Grounded in the belief that “community is key,” Ashley prioritizes public outreach, trust-building, and two-way crisis communication—leveraging notification systems and social media to ensure information moves effectively from agency to resident and resident to agency. She earned her IAEM Certified Emergency Manager credential in 2022, the Maryland Professional Emergency Management (MDPEMP) credential in 2023, and graduated from the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) in August 2023; she was also recognized on the 2021 IAEM Region III “40 Professionals Under 40” list. Active on the Maryland IMT and NCR IMT (Type III), she has led weather-focused initiatives including Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador efforts, StormReady, SKYWARN, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST). Ashley is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Emergency Management Administration at Oklahoma State University and holds an M.S. in Geography (Natural Hazards) from Texas Tech University, where her research examined social vulnerability and storm resource availability for tornado hazards in Lubbock, Texas.

March 2, 202636 min

How Improv Theater Unlocks Better EM Collaboration with Andrew Phelps

What if the secret to better emergency collaboration isn't another FEMA course—but improv theater techniques?In this episode, Andrew Phelps, COO of AC Disaster Consulting, reveals why emergency management's biggest myth is that "collaboration just happens." Drawing from his unique background as a trained actor and emergency management leader, Andrew shares how principles from improvisational theater can transform how we work together during disasters.From the "Yes, And" principle to making your partners look brilliant, discover practical frameworks for breaking down barriers, building trust, and creating more effective emergency teams—on both blue sky and dark sky days.Time Stamps0:50 - Guest Introduction1:28 - Challenges in Emergency Management4:46 - Andrew's Background in Theater6:09 - Five Principles of Improv11:37 - Overcoming Collaboration Barriers13:31 - Cultural Shifts Needed17:24 - Emergency Management Is Everybody's Job20:10 - Supporting Collaborative Instincts25:21 - Balancing Stakeholder Needs28:16 - Managing Scope Creep34:30 - Closing ThoughtsAbout Andrew Phelps is the Chief Operating Officer with AC Disaster Consulting. Immediately prior to joining ACDC, Andrew served as the Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management where he oversaw the state’s comprehensive planning, training, exercise, and community engagement programs to reduce risk across the state and manage the consequences from emergencies and disasters. Andrew also served as the governor’s Homeland Security Advisor and the Governor’s Authorized Representative for nine federal disaster declarations. In 2022, Andrew led the creation of the state’s first cabinet-level Department of Emergency Management replacing the previous office of emergency management that had been a division of the Military Department. He has served as a firefighter, public information officer, planner, search and rescue technician, emergency operations center manager, emergency medical technician, and other roles throughout his career.Andrew is an honors graduate from John Jay College in New York City. He received his Master of Arts from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. His thesis, Play Well With Others: Improvisational Theater and Collaboration in the Homeland Security Environment was published in 2013. Andrew is also a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and the FEMA Vanguard crisis leadership program. He is currently serving a three-year term on FEMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) where he leads the Climate Subcommittee.Sources:Phelps, A. J. (2013). Play well with others: Improvisational theater and collaboration in the homeland security environment. (Master's thesis/Paper). Naval Postgraduate School. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA589546.pdf Andrew Phelps on LIhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-phelps-80264311/

February 20, 202635 min

Patrick Beckley on Disaster Mental Health: Preparedness, Vulnerability, and Supporting Responders

This episode features Patrick Beckley, Director of Emergency Management for the Long Island Rail Road and former Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services commissioner and New York State Division of Homeland Security regional director, discussing disaster mental health as a core element of emergency management.Beckley shares his own journey toward better mental health. He talks about his heightened awareness of accumulated trauma among responders and underscores the importance of professional guidance and taking ownership of what is within one’s control. He explains why emergency managers often resist addressing mental health—due to “old school” expectations and a historic focus on victims—and argues that leaders must model vulnerability to build trust and improve retention.He identifies organizational warning signs such as rising cynicism, withdrawal, friction, and avoidance, and stresses that mental health should be integrated into operations and emergency plans—not treated as a post-incident add-on. Beckley highlights practical steps including preparedness training that reduces anxiety, personal “mental health go-kits,” structured rotations and decompression during major incidents like Hurricane Sandy, peer-support models, and accessible mental health services. His message: responders are not an infinite resource, and mental health must be addressed proactively and authentically.Time Stamps:00:50 Meet Patrick Beckley: Emergency Management Leader & Why Mental Health Matters01:42 The Hidden Psychological Toll of Emergency Management (and Retention Risk)02:38 Personal Stories: Secondary Trauma, Panic Attacks, and Getting Help06:05 Breaking the Stigma: Leading With Vulnerability in Emergency Services16:30 Why Mental Health Can’t Be a Post-Disaster Footnote17:22 Building a “Mental Health Go-Kit” for Disasters19:35 Psychological First Aid in Operations + Peer Support & Canine Programs23:54 Staffing, Rotations, and Decompression During Prolonged Incidents (Lessons from Sandy)26:10 The Uncomfortable Truth: Panic Attacks, Coping, and Checking on People Who Go Dark29:19 Resiliency Pack Examples + Final Takeaways: Don’t Ignore It34:00 Wrap-Up and ThanksDocuments/Files shared by our guest:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-u_X3U6qG-4cdHS5mY_hA6hiT4CsL1Oz?usp=drive_linkFor those who may be seeking help, the Code Green Campaign® is a first responder oriented mental health advocacy and education organization: https://www.codegreencampaign.org/about-us/Research:Patel SS, Guevara K, Hollar TL, DeVito RA, Erickson TB. Surveying mental health stressors of emergency management professionals: Factors in recruiting and retaining emergency managers in an era of disasters and pandemics. J Emerg Manag. 2023 Sep-Oct;21(5):375-384. doi: 10.5055/jem.0820. PMID: 37932942.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37932942/Deans C, Carter S. Evidenced Interventions Supporting the Psychological Wellbeing of Disaster Workers: A Rapid Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Sep 19;22(9):1454. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22091454. PMID: 41007597; PMCID: PMC12470247.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12470247/#:~:text=Consequently%2C%20disaster%20response%20workers%20have,range%20of%20other%20psychosocial%20risks.Not on EMs but Emergency Mgt. Depts:White SC, Harris CH, Gopaul R, Smyth JM (2025) Stigma and barriers to seeking mental health care among emergency department providers – A mixed methods study. PLOS Mental Health 2(11): e0000489.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000489

January 20, 202628 min

Effective Stakeholder Management and Leadership in Emergency Management

Effective Stakeholder Management & Leadership in Emergency Management ProjectsThis podcast episode features Adam Suktkus, an instructor at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University and adjunct lecturer at the College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security, & Cybersecurity at the State University of New York at Albany. Adam discusses his extensive experience in emergency management, including his roles at CalOES and as a trainer with FEMA. The conversation covers key strategies for managing communication with stakeholders in high-pressure situations, handling schedule and budget constraints, effective leadership without direct authority, and dealing with power dynamics. Adam also shares insights on the importance of flexibility and resilience in a field characterized by complexity and uncertainty.00:00 Introduction to Adam Sutkus00:57 Effective Stakeholder Management in Emergency Projects06:37 Strategies for Handling Power Dynamics11:33 Navigating Project Challenges and Scope Creep16:08 Leadership in Emergency Management22:43 Preparing Future Emergency Managers26:06 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAbout Adam Sutkus is NDEMU (EMI)/FEMA Instructor, and is also an Adjunct Lecturer, State University of NY at Albany, College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security, & Cybersecurity. He worked with both California State Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and and the California State University system and five years with the federal government at U.S. EPA. In 2020 he retired from the State of California Specialized Training Unit (CSTU) as an Instructor/Trainer.https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sutkus-91032b6/Sutkus, Adam, University at Albany, State University of New York. CALIFORNIA'S AREA CONTINGENCY PLANS: A SUCCESSFUL STATE/FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP, February 1995; International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings 1995(1):924-925DOI:10.7901/2169-3358-1995-1-924

January 15, 202635 min

Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane HeleneIn this episode, Erika Andresen, a recognized business continuity expert, discusses the critical importance of preparedness for businesses, sharing insights from her latest books and experiences, including the response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Key topics include the role of risk management, the limitations of relying solely on insurance, and practical steps for businesses to implement effective continuity planning. Erika also touches upon the psychological impacts of disasters, the importance of mental health in emergency management, and offers valuable advice for small and medium-sized enterprises to bolster their resilience.Timestamps01:00 Introduction to Erika Andresen02:03 Hurricane Helene's Impact on Asheville06:01 Recovery Efforts in Asheville08:56 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene15:37 The Importance of Business Continuity31:21 Erika's Final ThoughtsAboutErika Andresen, JD, CBCP, MPA, is a recognized expert and consultant in Business Continuity. She has nearly two decades of experience as a lawyer in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert in national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands including during high-risk situations while deployed in Afghanistan. Erika left active duty in 2020 and started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. Erika is also a professor of emergency management for the MPA program at the University of Texas at El Paso.Erika is a widely quoted expert and has been featured in a variety of publications, including Forbes, ProPublica, and SUCCESS Magazine. She is a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at conferences, addressed private events for Fortune 500 companies, and is an invited lecturer for both MIT's "Advanced Business Resiliency" and "Crisis Management and Business Resilience" courses. Her experience surviving Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC, inspired her second book, When The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disasters. Her first book, How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong, has sold every month since it was released in September 2022.Erika is a fan of combining her Emergency Management background with Business Continuity to maximize impact for community resilience. She is also a 2x Amazon Best Seller, international podcast guest, recovering lawyer, and generally a hoot (so she’s told).LinksErika as a Service (EasS) Website https://www.eaasc.com/meet-erikaGet Your FREE BC Worksheethttps://www.eaasc.com/free-worksheetBooksWhen The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow, and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disastershttps://www.amazon.com/When-Sh-Hits-Fan-Disasters/dp/B0DZ2N43CS/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JIIl0vHPnAUqzAgEQBqiSaC-4ohf9eCmiP8FTvXzFM3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.PZwlDp_cFIJXaszJXrmySSqttfVkRNsca8cpRD6gV7Q&dib_tag=se&qid=1768432109&refinements=p_27%3AErika+Andresen&s=books&sr=1-3&text=Erika+AndresenHow to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wronghttps://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Kill-Your-Business/dp/199018538X/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JIIl0vHPnAUqzAgEQBqiSaC-4ohf9eCmiP8FTvXzFM3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.PZwlDp_cFIJXaszJXrmySSqttfVkRNsca8cpRD6gV7Q&dib_tag=se&qid=1768432109&refinements=p_27%3AErika+Andresen&s=books&sr=1-4&text=Erika+Andresen

December 23, 202536 min

Leadership and Team Dynamics in Emergency Management

Part 2 of my podcast with Michael Stone, President of the IFRC Alumni Association features a discussion on leadership and team dynamics within the context of emergency management and Red Cross principles. They reflect on effective leadership practices during their IFRC mission in Georgia (former Soviet Republic), and highlight key strategies such as monthly staff gatherings, fostering equality among international and national staff, and leveraging national staff talents. The conversation includes anecdotes about cultural integration, the importance of respect for national identity, and the value of collaborations with NGOs.TimestampsIntroduction and Acknowledgements — 00:00Diplomacy and Leadership Insights — 01:29Reflections on Mission in Georgia — 01:51National and International Staff Dynamics — 03:47Cultural Integration and Team Building — 05:44Challenges and Achievements in Georgia — 07:49Leadership Anecdotes and Lessons — 12:30About Michael:Michael Stone currently serves as the President of the IFRC Alumni Association, where he fosters a global network of former Red Cross and Red Crescent staff. A distinguished humanitarian specialist, he has spent decades managing complex emergency responses for refugees and internally displaced persons. Stone formerly served as the Head of International Operations for the British Red Cross, directing major relief efforts in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. He is perhaps best known for orchestrating and leading Princess Diana’s historic 1997 anti-landmine mission to Angola, a pivotal moment in the global campaign to ban landmines. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles with the United Nations and various international NGOs.Listen to the first part of this interview in episode 21, where Michael presents the 12 Laws for Effective Emergency Management. For more information on the IFRC Alumni Association:https://www.ifrcalumni.org/

December 23, 202553 min

The 12 Laws for Effective Emergency Response-Michael Stone, IFRC Alumni Assoc. President, Part 1

In part 1 of this insightful interview, Michael Stone, President of the IFRC Alumni Association, shares his extensive experience in humanitarian response and introduces his "Twelve Laws for Effective Emergency Response." Drawing from decades of fieldwork and leadership, Stone discusses the importance of understanding local contexts, ethical action, and the need for clear communication and teamwork in crisis situations. His practical wisdom and real-world anecdotes offer valuable lessons for emergency managers, humanitarian professionals, and anyone interested in effective leadership during times of crisis.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction for Michael Stone, his background, and the purpose of the episode.05:00 – Michael Stone’s Humanitarian Journey: Michael shares his career path, early experiences, and key lessons from international humanitarian work.THE TWELVE LAWS FOR EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE1. THE LAW OF RELATIONS: Seek first to understand, then be understood. [14:32]Michael discusses the importance of humility and understanding local context before acting.2. THE LAW OF SEEING: People see the world not as it is, but as they are. [18:28]Explores how personal biases and perspectives shape our understanding of situations.3. THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY: At the heart of all our minds is love and fear. Examines the core motivators behind human behavior in crisis [20:24]4. THE LAW OF LANGUAGE: The most important communication may have no words. Highlights nonverbal communication and its power in emergencies. [23:34]5. THE LAW OF DOING GOOD: It is not enough to do good, good must be done well. Stresses the need for quality and effectiveness in humanitarian action. [26:14]6. THE LAW OF QUANTITY: Less is more. Advocates for brevity and clarity in communication and reporting. [27:34]7. THE LAW OF CAUSALITY: Everything is created by something before. Emphasizes the importance of understanding history and context. [31:06]8. THE LAW OF REALITY 1: Everything is about something else. Encourages looking beyond surface issues to underlying causes. [34:22]9. THE LAW OF REALITY 2: The act of observation alters what is seen. Discusses how the presence of outsiders can change local dynamics and responses. [37:19]10. THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES: Any action has results that are not part of the actor’s intention. Warns of unexpected outcomes in humanitarian interventions. [44:14]11. THINKING: The thinking which created the problem cannot be used to solve it. Calls for new approaches and perspectives to solve persistent problems. [47:28]12. ENDS: Bad means are not justified by good ends. Affirms the importance of ethical action, even in pursuit of noble goals. [49:14]52:00 – Reflections and Closing: Michael reflects on teamwork, leadership, and the importance of learning from experience. I provide a preview of Part 2: Leadership insights, cultural integration, and more.About Michael:Michael Stone currently serves as the President of the IFRC Alumni Association, where he fosters a global network of former Red Cross and Red Crescent staff. A distinguished humanitarian specialist, he has spent decades managing complex emergency responses for refugees and internally displaced persons. Stone formerly served as the Head of International Operations for the British Red Cross, directing major relief efforts in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. He is perhaps best known for orchestrating and leading Princess Diana’s historic 1997 anti-landmine mission to Angola, a pivotal moment in the global campaign to ban landmines. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles with the United Nations and various international NGOs.Listen to the second part of this interview in episode 22, where we discus effective emergency leadership/teamwork. the IFRC Georgia mission, equity, respect, and UN and NGO collaboration. For more information on the IFRC Alumni Association:https://www.ifrcalumni.org/

December 10, 202541 min

Navigating Crisis: Leadership Insights from Global Retail Titans- Andrea Davis, The Resiliency Initiative

The principal focus of our discussion centers around the critical importance of risk management as a foundational element in emergency management and business continuity planning. We delve into the transformative leadership experiences during crises, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as exemplified by our guest, Andrea Davis, who has extensive experience in both corporate and governmental sectors. Throughout our conversation, we explore the necessity of collaboration between various departments, emphasizing the need to dismantle silos within organizations to enhance resilience. Andrea shares her insights on practical strategies that have proven effective in implementing emergency management initiatives, drawing from her tenure at notable corporations such as Walmart and Disney. Ultimately, our dialogue underscores the imperative of proactive planning and cohesive teamwork to navigate the complexities of modern emergencies effectively.Takeaways: The significance of leadership during crises is amplified by hands-on involvement and genuine concern for employees' welfare. Effective emergency management necessitates collaboration between risk management and crisis planning departments to ensure comprehensive preparedness. In times of uncertainty, organizations must prioritize risk assessment as a foundational step to safeguard their operations and resources. Successful crisis response relies heavily on proactive planning and the establishment of well-structured task forces to address unforeseen challenges. Companies mentioned in this episode: Walmart Disney Pinnacle Performance Management Resiliency Initiative ABC ESPNAbout Andrea:Andrea Davis is President and CEO of The Resiliency Initiative, a Women-Owned Small Business, founded to support whole-community preparedness and recovery. Davis is a leading emergency management expert known for uniting public and private sectors to improve disaster risk reduction. She has held leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. government, and major NGOs, consistently advancing global initiatives that emphasize risk-informed decisions and inclusive community engagement. At FEMA’s Hurricane Katrina Recovery Office, she oversaw media, intergovernmental, and congressional operations for a $25 billion recovery effort, helping restore FEMA’s reputation through innovative outreach, credited with transforming public perception. In the private sector, she led global crisis management programs for multinational corporations, designing emergency trainings, mass notification systems, and employee preparedness initiatives.Davis is deeply committed to volunteer service and chairs the boards of the California Resiliency Alliance and the Northwest Arkansas Red Cross and serves on advisory boards for I-DIEM and the Dr. Lucy Jones Foundation, including past leadership roles at the American Red Cross and Save the Children. As a highly decorated leader, Davis has been recognized as a top inspiring CEO, the inaugural Emergency Manager of the Year, and an inductee into the Women’s Hall of Fame for Emergency Management. Her expertise includes crisis strategic planning, brand management, and continuity of operations.For more information on the Resiliency Initiative , see: https://www.theresiliencyinitiative.com/