Disaster Resilience & Community Partnership Summit
Creating Actionable Solutions for Southern California Communities with Interdisciplinary Focus
Friday April 3rd, Chapman University 

The Disaster Resilience & Community Partnership Summit is a one-day, highly interactive event that brings together academic researchers, public health leaders, emergency management agencies, fire authorities, utilities, and community organizations to collaborate on practical, evidence-informed solutions for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery across Southern California.

With a strong emphasis on supporting communities that face greater challenges during emergencies, the summit is designed to build lasting research–community partnerships and advance a shared regional agenda for resilience, coordination, and collaboration.

kim novak headshotKeynote Speaker: Jenny Novak
Director of Systemwide Emergency Management & Continuity, California State University Office of the Chancellor

Keynote Address:
“From Fire to Future: Building Wildfire Resilience Through Collaboration, Research, and Community Action”

Jenny Novak is an award-winning Certified Emergency Manager with nearly 20 years of experience in disaster preparedness, response, and continuity planning. She has led major initiatives across the California State University system and previously served with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. She is also President of the California Emergency Services Association Southern Chapter.

Summit Highlights

  • Expert panel discussions on regional disaster challenges and innovative solutions
  • Lightning talk research showcases featuring emerging insights and tools
  • Collaborative Hazards Mapping Workshop to identify shared risks and opportunities
  • Cross-sector breakout sessions focused on co-designing actionable projects and partnerships
  • Networking opportunities with leaders across sectors

Organizers & Sponsors

Sponsored by the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and organized by the Disaster Resilience Research Cluster Organizing Committee, including:

  • Zhen Cong, Health Sciences Chair, Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences 
  • Ann Gordon, Director, Henley Social Sciences Laboratory Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • Seung Hee Kim, Associate Professor, Research Faculty; Associate Director, Center of Excellence in Earth Systems Modeling and Observations Institute for Earth, Computing, Human and Observing – ECHO
  • Joshua Fisher, Associate Professor, Schmid College of Science and Technology
  • Claudine Jaenichen, Professor; Life Research Fellow for Communication Research Institute, Wayfinding for Disaster Planning, Art, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

This summit moves beyond traditional presentations to focus on real-time collaboration and actionable outcomes. Attendees will share connections, practical ideas, and clear next steps toward building stronger, more resilient communities across Southern California.

Any questions please contact Zhen Cong at zcong@chapman.edu.