021: Day 2: PANEL: Business Recovery Post-Megafire: The Crucial Role of Private Sector Support
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:
“It is becoming a cheerleader for the community that we're [private sector] back.” —Tim Zahner
“It takes all of us to make a recovery. There are no heroes after the disaster itself. We all have a role to play.” —Lynn Knight
“The Kupuna up there in that forest are so alive more than ever. They're just needing conduits. And those conduits are us.” —Kalikolehua Storer
When disaster strikes, the human toll is immense, but the economic impact can be just as devastating. Businesses shut, jobs lost, and entire industries disrupted— the ripple effects can cripple a community for years. Hence, rebuilding the local economy is essential for restoring normalcy and resilience.
In this episode, Mark Bodenhammer, the CEO of Sonoma Chamber of Commerce leads a panel of experts, including Sonoma Valley Tourism Executive Director Tim Zahner, NOVACES Director of Economic Development & Resilience Programs Lynn Knight, and HYATT Hotels Training Specialist Kalikolehua Storer.
Tune in as they share their experiences and insights on navigating the complex landscape of post-fire economic recovery— from balancing human needs with business support to diversifying industries and communicating with visitors, plus much more.
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:
- 00:22 Meet Our Panel: Tim, Kalikolehua, Lynn
- 03:03 The Role of Economy in Recovery
- 10:41 Balancing Economy and Human Aid
- 18:35 Supporting the Business Economy
- 22:21 Facilitating a Healthy Relationship Between Businesses and the Government
- 25:03 Open for Business
- 29:40 A Cause for Pride
Meet the Moderator:
👨🏻💼Mark Bodenhammer, CEO, Sonoma Chamber of Commerce
Mark Bodenhamer is the CEO of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce. He is a native of Santa Rosa and has a strong passion for helping businesses succeed. Mark has served in various roles with Chambers of Commerce and other non-profit organizations12. He also hosts the “Sonoma Chamber Chat” on KSVY 91.3 FM, where he discusses local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and events in and around Sonoma12.
- Website: https://www.sonomachamber.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonomachamber
- X: https://twitter.com/sonomachamber
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonomachamber/
Meet the Panel:
👩🏻💼 Lynn Knight, Director of Economic Development & Resilience Programs, NOVACES
Lynn Knight is an economic developer with extensive experience working in disaster recovery. She has worked in 23 states and U.S. territories that have faced serious disasters. Lynn became passionate about disaster recovery work starting in 2014 when she was the Vice President of the International Economic Development Council and placed economic development volunteers in communities across the country that needed assistance.
As an economic recovery expert, Lynn now works as a contractor for the U.S. Economic Development Administration, managing the economic recovery support function for FEMA. She brings deep expertise in understanding the economic impacts of disasters and helping communities develop strategies to support business recovery and long-term resilience.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnknight08/
- Connect with Novaces:
- Website: http://www.novaces.com/
👩🏻💼 Kalikolehua Storer, Area Hawaiian Culture/Training Specialist, HYATT Hotels
Kalikolehua Storer is a dedicated community member with a passion for both cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. As an area training and cultural advisor for Hyatt Resorts, she shares her knowledge of Hawaiian traditions and values with visitors and employees alike. She also serves as the Pu’u Kukui Watershed operations supervisor, playing a vital role in protecting this critical ecosystem. Her diverse roles reflect her commitment to connecting people with the land, its history, and its future.
Connect with Hyatt Hotels:
- Website: https://www.hyatt.com/
👨🏻💼Tim Zahner, Executive Director, Sonoma Valley Tourism
Tim Zahner is the representative from the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. His role is to promote the Sonoma Valley area, encourage people to visit, support local businesses, and help the community recover after disasters. Tim has worked closely in disaster-affected communities, leveraging his expertise in tourism and marketing to aid in the recovery process. With experience navigating the balance between supporting residents and welcoming visitors, Tim brings valuable insights to the discussion on reviving the local economy after emergencies.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timzahner/
Connect with Sonoma Valley Tourism:
- Website: https://www.sonomavalley.com/