2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Episode Description:
Disasters often hit vulnerable communities the hardest, but grassroots leaders are stepping up to meet their unique needs. From providing essential resources to fostering community resilience, these frontline responders are redefining disaster recovery.
Tune in as these inspiring leaders delve into the challenges of identifying vulnerable populations, overcoming systemic obstacles, practicing self-care, and finding silver linings in the midst of crisis.
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 Be Careful of Mission Drift
03:54 Meet Rebekah, Kukui, Nicole, Amber, and Melissa
16:13 How to Identify the Vulnerable and Their Needs
30:59 Self-Care for the Helpers
35:13 Silver Linings
Meet the Moderator:
👩🏻💼 Lorez Bailey, Community Leader
Lorez Bailey is an Executive Officer at Chop’s Teen Club. Her charm is in being charismatic, analytical, problem-solver, and effective communicator who has a successful 10-year track record of effectively leading organizations and teams, and a history of developing and operationalized strategies that have taken organizations to the next stage of growth, while building a culture of high expectations, inclusivity, collaboration, and a little fun never hurts.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorez-bailey-221778100
Connect with Chops Teen Club:
Website: https://www.chopsteenclub.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/341599776289226
X: https://x.com/chopsteenclub
Meet the Panel:
👩🏻💼 Melissa Baurer, Integrated Health and Outreach Director, Santiam Hospital & Clinics
Melissa Baurer is the executive director of the disaster case management program at Santiam Hospital and Clinics in Oregon. She was instrumental in establishing the Service Integration program, which brings together faith-based organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses to collaboratively meet the needs of the community.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-baurer-26824213b/
Connect with Santiam Hospital:
Website: https://santiamhospital.org/
👩🏻💼Amber Ferguson, Executive Director/CEO, Rogue Food Unites
Amber Ferguson is the executive director of Rogue Food Unites, an organization she founded in response to the 2020 wildfires in Oregon. With a background in the hospitality and food and beverage industries, Amber was driven to provide immediate support to those displaced by the fires. Rogue Food Unites initially set out to provide hot meals three times a day to thousands of people, creating relationships with existing food businesses to both support the local economy and care for the community.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-ferguson-656733251/
Connect with Rogue Foods:
Website: https://www.roguefoodunites.org/
👩🏻💼Nicole Huguenin, Co-Director and Founder, Maui Rapid Response
Nicole Huguenin is a generous entrepreneur with a diverse background in nonprofits and teaching. Her professional journey took a turn in 2012 when she became dissatisfied with the role of cash as the primary driver of decision-making, and she began exploring ways to revalue caring and aloha as currencies. This led to her involvement in many different projects, including her current role as the executive director of My Rapid Response, a disaster relief organization.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-huguenin-b5566920/
Connect with Maui Rapid Response:
Website: https://mauirapidresponse.org/
👩🏻💼Kukui Keahi, Community Care Navigator Lead, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA)
Kukui Keahi is a nine-generation survivor from Lahaina, Maui, with deep roots in the community. Her family background has instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the place that raised her. Kukui currently oversees the Maui operations for the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), where she has been instrumental in the organization's disaster recovery efforts.
Connect with Hawaiian Council:
Website: https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/
👩🏻💼Rebekah Uccellini-Kuby, Executive Director, Makai Foundation
Rebekah Uccellini-Kuby has a background in regenerative system design and a deep commitment to addressing issues of access and equity. Growing up with parents who were a spiritual anthropologist, Rebekah's upbringing instilled in her a global perspective and a passion for supporting marginalized communities.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-uccellini-kuby-92863b29/
Connect with Makai Foundation:
Website: https://makai.org/