Biography of Devra Schwartz

educational institutions through complex security and crises. Her expertise in strategic planning, program development, and crisis management has been pivotal in expanding market reach, mitigating risks, and safeguarding security, reputation, and profits for various stakeholders. Known for her ability to develop and execute comprehensive crisis management plans, she enhances public safety, strengthens security measures, and supports corporate interests. Her calm demeanor and clear-headed strategies during critical moments have established her as a forward-thinking leader in the realm of public safety

Renowned for her ability to develop competent teams, she excels in orchestrating emergency response and crisis recovery programs that ensure operational continuity. Her crisis management skills span a variety of emergencies, such as data breaches, natural disasters, public scandals, and financial downturns. She is proficient in analyzing existing security frameworks and business strategies, employing cutting-edge technologies, and instituting robust organizational protocols to enhance resilience against business disruptions.

She started her professional journey in the educational field, initially serving as a Program Manager, where she spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at fostering academic excellence and leadership among middle and high school students. Her educational efforts primarily focused on enhancing youth development programs in underserved New York City schools. In 2007, she transitioned to her role as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles. In this capacity, she was responsible for managing grants, crafting effective response strategies, and coordinating large-scale crisis responses alongside city, county, state, and federal entities.

With a track record of over two decades in leading efficient teams, she is committed to setting clear objectives and nurturing a cooperative work environment where every team member's contributions are valued. She has consistently led her teams to meet high-stakes goals while fostering a positive and collaborative organizational culture.

EDUCATION

Devra Schwartz is an alumna of the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. This interdisciplinary program allowed her to explore the intersections of law with political, economic, and cultural dynamics. She further enriched her educational background with an international stint at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Following her deep involvement with youth programs, Schwartz pursued further education at the University of Washington, obtaining a Master of Science in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructure. This pioneering program, introduced following events like 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, equipped her with skills to manage and mitigate risks affecting critical

infrastructures and to understand emergency management principles and homeland security tactics.

Continually advocating for lifelong learning, she has acquired numerous professional training certifications from FEMA, in addition to elite executive certificates such as:

● Leadership in Crises from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government

● Enhanced All Hazards Incident Management from Texas A&M Engineering

● HERS Wellesley Leadership Certificate from the HERS Leadership Institute at Wellesley University

CAREER

Currently, Devra Schwartz leads as the Principal Consultant at Total Resilience Consulting, advising the City of Los Angeles on enhancing supply chain resilience and consulting with higher education institutions on security improvements. She previously held the position of Vice President of Safety and Security at Loyola Marymount University for five years, overseeing a team of 60 and managing public safety, security technology, access control, and environmental health and safety operations. During her tenure, she not only led a rebranding of the department but also directed strategic planning and managed a significant budget.

Before her executive role at LMU, she was the Vice President of Operations at the LA Homeland Security Advisory Council. There, she co-developed a groundbreaking GIS-based technology platform, SALUS, enhancing data-driven decision-making, information sharing during crises, and resource management across key Los Angeles agencies, including LAPD and LAFD.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS

Devra Schwartz's career is marked by numerous highlights, including her instrumental role in planning the 2019 Democratic Presidential Debate and developing the SALUS GIS-based crisis and event management tool, which won first place at the IBM Stanford Hackathon. She also developed the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Internship Program,

which garnered the Los Angeles City Controller's Quality & Productivity Award for its significant impact on emergency management training.

A founding advisory board member for the UCLA certificate programs in Emergency Management, Schwartz is a sought-after speaker on disruptive technologies and emergency management, has delivered a TEDx talk, and has published multiple articles on inter-departmental cooperation in emergency response

Devra Schwartz continues to influence the field of safety and security through her strategic insight and unwavering commitment to enhancing public and organizational safety.