2024 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.
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.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliko-storer-5621a039/
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/