019: Day 2 Through the Federal Maze:Securing Resources in Uncertain Times
Release Date: 10/13/2025
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...
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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: ...
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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...
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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:
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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...
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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...
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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: ...
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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. ...
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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....
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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_outlineFormer FEMA Administrator and Bright Harbor President Pete Gaynor delivers a powerful keynote at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, sharing candid insights on the future of federal disaster recovery and the urgent need for reform.
Drawing from 15 years in emergency management—including leading the national COVID-19 response—Gaynor explores how FEMA’s systems have evolved, where they continue to fall short, and what changes are needed to make disaster recovery faster, more equitable, and more survivor-centered.
He discusses the shift from “victims” to “survivors,” outlines proposals in the FEMA Act of 2025, and introduces Bright Harbor’s innovative approach to improving survivor outcomes through technology, empathy, and structure.
Connect with After The Fire USA:
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Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ