Dr. Kelly Otter is Dean of Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS). In this role, she oversees professional graduate programs; liberal studies programs at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels; professional certificate programs and custom education; and summer and special programs. She is a member of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), the International Leadership Association (ILA), and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO).

Dean of Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

Dr. Harkins is the CEO of Harkcon, Inc., an award-winning Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned business, and has more than 30 years experience leading and consulting across a broad-spectrum of human performance improvement areas in the public and private sectors. A retired U. S. Coast Guard officer, he is recognized as a subject matter expert in discerning the nature of work and creating an environment where people thrive, and is the driving force behind Harkcon Academy.

Chief Executive Officer, Harkcon, Inc.

Brad Kieserman has 30 years of experience in crisis and disaster operations.  A former member of the Federal Senior Executive Service, former Chief Counsel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and a retired Coast Guard officer, he has led a variety of crisis operations ranging from maritime security interdiction, response to the piracy of the Maersk Alabama in 2009, Federal disaster response and recovery operations, and, most recently, the American Red Cross’ response to the unprecedented year of disasters in 2017.

Vice President of Disaster Operations and Logistics, American Red Cross

Vice Admiral Lee retired from the Coast Guard in 2016, following his final assignment as Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, where he oversaw a force of 21,000 active duty personnel conducting missions spanning across 40 states, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.​ In addition to his duties at Atlantic Area, he served as Commander, Defense Force East, and provided Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders in the Arabian Gulf.

Vice Admiral, United States Coast Guard (Retired)

Dr. Jeff Stern was appointed to lead the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Commonwealth’s all-hazards disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery agency, in 2014. Dr. Stern previously served in both the public & private sectors and academia. A former firefighter/paramedic, battalion chief, special ops team leader, and local emergency manager, his career has spanned operational, policy-making, and advisory roles from the local firehouse to the White House. 

Virginia State Coordinator of Emergency Management

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Chief Operating Officer, Priority 5 Holdings, Inc.; Former Director, District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

Ms. Coultas has over 30 years of combined federal executive, local, state, military, and international experience providing authoritative executive-level guidance in support of national and international-level security, defense, intelligence, safety, disaster response, and crisis management.  As Georgetown University's AVP for Safety, Security & Emergency Management, she provides overall leadership and  oversight for the development of policies and strategies across the areas of emergency management, crisis and disaster preparedness, response and recovery, resiliency, and business operational continuity.

Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Safety, Security & Emergency Management, Georgetown University

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Principal, The Cadmus Group, Inc.; Former Deputy Assistant Administrator, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

David J. Kaufman is the Vice President and Director for Safety and Security at CNA, a non-profit organization that provides in-depth research, analysis and results-oriented solutions to government leaders.  He is responsible for executive management, development, and execution of CNA’s work in the areas of public safety, homeland security, emergency management, and public health.  Mr. Kaufman is the former Associate Administrator for Policy, Program Analysis, and International Affairs at FEMA.

Vice President and Director, Safety and Security, CNA; Former Associate Administrator for Policy, Program Analysis, and International Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Master Chief Dewilde retired from the Navy in 2017 after serving more than 30 years in various operational and strategic roles. He has vast experience in leading SEALs and other Special Operations units worldwide. His operational assignments and leadership tours include SEAL Team Two, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGROUP), Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Naval Special Warfare Center, and Naval Special Warfare Group Two. 

Independent Executive Leadership Advisor and Business Development Professional

Tom Atkin is the Founder and Managing Principal of The Atkin Group, a firm that provides strategic and operational advice to senior government and corporate executives.   Prior to founding The Atkin Group, he served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security. Mr. Atkin has significant government experience, including serving on the White House National Security Council.

Founder & Managing Partner of The Atkin Group; Former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security

Dr. Anderson serves as the Associate Director of Research and Innovation at the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University, where he helps lead a university-wide research enterprise to inform and advance societal resilience in the face of growing man-made and naturally-occurring turbulence. He also serves as Affiliate Professor of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. He is the former ANSER Chief Operating Officer and director of the Homeland Security Studies & Analysis Institute (HSSAI).

Associate Director of Research and Innovation, Northeastern University Global Resilience Institute

Mr. Ridge is the Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Center for Resilience, which was established in 2017 to advance approaches that help nations, cities, communities, and individuals respond and adapt to disruptions in today’s unpredictable global environment.  Before joining the Atlantic Council, Mr. Ridge served in a range of roles at the Department of Defense, most recently as the Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Policy.  Mr. Ridge was also previously a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he worked on a range of defense and national security issues.

Deputy Director, Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Center for Resilience