010: Day 1: TALK STORY: From Crisis to Community: Service and Integration Post-Maui Fires
Release Date: 10/14/2024
029: Day 3 Closing Remarks
How to Disaster
In this heartfelt closing session of the Wildfire Leadership Summit, Jennifer Gray Thompson reflects on the journey from disaster to recovery. She shares the powerful story of how communities across California, Oregon, and Hawaii have rebuilt after devastating wildfires—from Santa Rosa and Paradise to Greenville and Lahaina. With gratitude for her dedicated team, partners, and community leaders, Jennifer honors the progress made, the resilience of survivors, and the unbreakable spirit that drives recovery. A moving reminder that rebuilding is possible—together. Connect with After...
info_outline
028: Day 3 Closing Keynote: The Heart of Ohana: Leading with Hope Through Loss
How to Disaster
A heartfelt address on Maui’s wildfire recovery, community resilience, and rebuilding efforts, delivered by a local leader. The speaker reflects on the importance of community-led recovery, cultural preservation, emergency preparedness, and housing stability. Highlights include progress on rebuilding Lahaina, strengthening emergency management, and ensuring residents can return home. The talk closes with a personal ukulele performance celebrating Haleakalā, Maui’s iconic mountain. Connect with After The Fire USA: Website: Facebook: X: Instagram: LinkedIn: ...
info_outline
027: Day 3 Tech Driven, People Centered
How to Disaster
Join moderator Reva Feldman and an expert panel as they explore the role of technology in disaster response and recovery. Panelists include iO Wright, co-founder of Post Fire; John Mills CEO, Watch Duty; and Adrienne Heinz,Clinical Research Psychologist, VA National Center for PTSD and Stanford University School of Medicine. Learn how innovative tools like Watch Duty and Post Fire are helping communities access timely information, navigate recovery, and support mental health in the wake of disasters. The discussion highlights the importance of human-centered technology, partnerships, and...
info_outline
026: Day 3 Video Presentation: Ben Allen
How to Disaster
State Senator Ben Allen shares a heartfelt message at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, highlighting the challenges and progress in wildfire recovery for communities across Los Angeles County. He reflects on lessons learned from past disasters, emphasizes the importance of collaboration and survivor voices, and thanks the network of recovery professionals and volunteers supporting affected communities. Connect with After The Fire USA: Website: Facebook: X: Instagram: LinkedIn: YouTube:
info_outline
025: Day 3 From the Ground Up: Local Voices in Advocacy
How to Disaster
In this insightful panel discussion, community leaders share their powerful stories and strategies for equitable wildfire recovery. Tawnya Somauroo, Co-Founder, Marshall Together, discusses how her organization supports fire survivors through advocacy, legislative reform, and community rebuilding. Ash Level, Strategic Partnerships, Engagement, & Storytelling, Altadena Rising, underscores the importance of centering Black and other vulnerable communities in disaster recovery. Paele Kiakona of Lahaina Strong highlights their landmark success in passing SB 2919, enabling counties to phase out...
info_outline
024: day 3 Ashes to Action: Startups Post-Disaster
How to Disaster
Join Jennifer Gray Thompson as she moderates an insightful panel discussion with Christine Kwon, Jen Goodlin, and Nicole Huguenin on leadership and community-driven disaster recovery. Drawing from their experiences responding to wildfires in California and Hawaii, the panel explores the challenges of post-disaster leadership, building trust, addressing gaps in recovery, and sustaining impact beyond the immediate response. Learn how these leaders navigate complex systems, center survivor voices, and create innovative solutions while staying grounded in their values. Connect with After...
info_outline
023: Day 3 Video Presentation: AC Disaster
How to Disaster
In September 2020, historic windstorms sparked massive wildfires across Oregon, scorching over 1 million acres and forcing thousands to evacuate. Communities faced unprecedented fire behavior due to extreme winds, heat, and drought. This video highlights the heroic response of first responders, public officials, and community organizations, showing how Oregon’s communities have rebuilt and revitalized over the past five years. Learn how lessons from these events are shaping fire prevention, preparedness, and resilience across the region. Connect with After The Fire USA: ...
info_outline
022: Day 3 Hubs of Hope: How Technology and Partnerships Power Preparedness
How to Disaster
At the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, Sam Shockley of Amazon shares how strategic preparation, partnerships, and technology have transformed the company’s disaster response. From the 16-day response to Hurricane Dorian to delivering aid within 72 hours today, Sam highlights the development of global relief hubs, pre-positioned supplies, and technology kits for power, connectivity, and situational awareness. The session emphasizes the critical role of collaboration with nonprofit partners and local communities in building resilient, disaster-ready networks worldwide. ...
info_outline
021: Day 3 Morning Welcome
How to Disaster
In this welcome remark of the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit Day 3, participants reflect on resilience, recovery, and innovation in disaster preparedness. The session features remarks from summit organizers, a presentation by Sam Shockley, Senior Product Manager at Amazon, who leads disaster relief operations across the Americas. She shares how Amazon integrates logistics, technology, and community partnerships to strengthen resilience hubs and deliver rapid disaster response. The session concludes with reflections on recovery journeys and closing remarks from Mayor Bissen....
info_outline
020: Day 2 Mandate for the Future: A Climate Resilient Rebuild
How to Disaster
In this compelling session from the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, moderator Lisa Micheli leads a powerful discussion on building long-term climate resilience with Abby Ross, Founder, The Resiliency Company, and Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve. Abby shares her journey from leading Network for Good to founding The Resiliency Company — and how disaster philanthropy inspired her to reimagine durable recovery and resilient rebuilding. She introduces the Resiliency Delta Fund, a new model that helps homeowners rebuild to fire-resistant, insurable standards....
info_outline2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Episode Description:
“There's a lot that can be done if you open up the doors and just change the way that you do things.” —Jim Alvey
“We don't do anything globally without partnerships. As a disaster relief organization, we're trying to get the most relief, the most amount of people, the fastest amount of time, for the least amount of money. And you don't do that by yourself.” —Danielle Dreis
When disaster strikes, the path to recovery often requires a collaborative effort between private and nonprofit organizations, working hand-in-hand with the affected community. This powerful synergy can unlock innovative solutions and ensure resources reach those in greatest need. By bridging gaps and leveraging unique strengths, these partnerships become a driving force in restoring hope and resilience in the aftermath.
Facilitated by Vidya Simpath, the Senior Product Manager of Amazon’s Disaster Relief Program, this discussion unpacks the invaluable lessons learned in the wake of the devastating Maui fires, from immediate housing assistance to long-term rebuilding efforts, and more.
Tune in as our panel, VP of Disaster Recovery at Good360 Jim Alvey, and GEM Hawaii Executive Director Danielle Dreis share insights on successful private-nonprofit partnerships, adapting to unique disaster challenges, and the importance of local collaboration and grassroots efforts in long-term recovery.
Connect with After The Fire USA:
- Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
- X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ
Highlights:
- 01:30 What Authentic Partnerships Look Like in Disaster Recovery
- 08:20 Navigating Failures
- 16:09 Digging in Locally
- 20:22 Amazon’s Strategic Response
Meet the Moderator:
👩🏻💼Vidya Sampath, Senior Product Manager, Disaster Relief Program, Amazon
Vidya Simpath is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in data analytics and project management, specializing in end-to-end medical supply chain & logistics management, clinical care workflow design, and strategic planning. Known for her ability to identify and communicate complex issues with clarity, Vidya excels at cutting through the noise to facilitate informed decision-making. She has a proven track record of collaborating effectively across cultures, time zones, deadlines, and organizations, ensuring smooth project execution. Vidya's success lies in her ability to seamlessly balance her technical expertise with management and operational responsibilities, leading teams and managing budgets with equal proficiency.
Meet the Panel
👨🏻💼Meet Jim Alvey, VP of Disaster Recovery at Good360
Jim Alvey is the Vice President of Disaster Recovery and Philanthropy at Good360, a nonprofit organization that leads the global distribution of donations through partnerships with socially responsible companies. Jim's work includes cultivating partnerships with foundations and companies to expand the organization's product donor network, increase nonprofit sector collaboration, and connect with different government agencies. He focuses on medium to long-term disaster recovery efforts.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimalvey
Connect with Good360:
- Website: https://good360.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Good360.org
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/good360
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/good360usa/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/good360
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCItn_VoR1grL7MqOWFgAArA
👩🏻💼 Meet Danielle Dreis, Executive Director, Hawaii, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)
Danielle Dreis is a seasoned humanitarian professional with over a decade of experience working in developing countries. Since 2011, she has dedicated her career to providing aid and disaster response in challenging environments. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including marketing and communication, logistics, budget and contract management, fundraising, and team building. Danielle's passion for making a difference in the lives of others is evident in her tireless efforts to ensure the effective delivery of vital resources and support to those in need.
- Website: https://danielledreis.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielledreis/
Connect with GEM: