Devra Schwartz

Devra Schwartz stands out as a seasoned Safety and Security Consultant who has dedicated decades to advancing strategic and emergency planning, program development, and crisis management across private sector companies, government agencies, and educational institutions. Her expertise has not only led to enhanced market share but also reduced risks and maintained stability in security, reputation, and financial gains for all involved entities. Her capability in designing and executing effective crisis management frameworks is well-regarded for increasing public safety, strengthening security protocols, and reinforcing corporate interests. Her adeptness in handling high-pressure scenarios has solidified her status as an innovative leader in the safety and security industry.

In her professional journey, she has excelled at fostering high-performance teams that are adept at implementing comprehensive emergency response and crisis recovery initiatives that effectively minimize operational disruptions. Her crisis management acumen encompasses a wide array of challenges, including data breaches, natural disasters, public controversies, and financial crises. She demonstrates proficiency in assessing existing security and business models, integrating advanced technologies, and establishing robust organizational protocols that ensure resilience against and recovery from various disruptions.

She initiated her career in the realm of education, spearheading several large-scale initiatives as a Program Manager to elevate academic excellence and leadership among middle and high school students. Her contributions in the education sector involved strategic partnerships with school leadership and boards to launch and maintain youth development programs in disadvantaged communities within New York City. In 2007, she made a strategic career shift to become the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles. Here, she was instrumental in managing grants, formulating effective response and recovery strategies, and engaging in comprehensive emergency management activations in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.

Her leadership spans over two decades, during which time she has consistently prioritized clear goal-setting and fostering an inclusive work environment. She has guided numerous cross-functional teams toward achieving lofty goals while promoting a constructive and team-oriented organizational culture.

EDUCATION

Devra Schwartz earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, where she delved into how law interacts with political, economic, and cultural forces. This was complemented by her participation in an international program at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, which broadened her educational perspective significantly.

After her initial educational endeavors, Schwartz pursued a Master of Science in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructure from the University of Washington. This advanced program, crafted in response to 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, equipped her with vital skills in risk management and mitigation across essential infrastructures, alongside foundational knowledge in emergency management and homeland security best practices.

A staunch advocate for lifelong learning, Schwartz has acquired several FEMA professional and hazard-specific training certifications, as well as executive-level certificates, including:

• 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 operates as the Principal Consultant at Total Resilience Consulting. In this role, she provides expert advice to the City of Los Angeles on supply chain resilience and consults with higher education institutions on enhancing safety and security measures.

Previously, she served as Vice President of Safety and Security at Loyola Marymount University, where she managed a team of 60 and oversaw initiatives in public safety, emergency management, security technology, and environmental health and safety. Her leadership during this period included departmental rebranding, strategic planning, governance, compliance, and budget management involving substantial financial figures.

Before her role at LMU, Schwartz was the Vice President of Operations at the LA Homeland Security Advisory Council. During her tenure, she co-developed the SALUS GIS-based technology platform, which significantly improved decision-making, information sharing, and resource management during crises. Major Los Angeles agencies, including the LAPD and LAFD, adopted this platform.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS

Devra Schwartz is celebrated for her strategic role in managing the COVID-19 crisis, planning the 2019 Democratic Presidential Debate, and co-creating the SALUS crisis and event management tool. The latter won first place at the IBM Stanford Hackathon for its innovative impact on urban resiliency.

She also developed the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Internship Program, which received the Los Angeles City Controller's Quality & Productivity Award for its significant influence in training a new generation of emergency management professionals.

As a founding advisory board member for UCLA's certificate programs in Emergency Management, she is a respected speaker and thought leader. She has delivered presentations at international conferences, given a TEDx talk on emergency management, and published numerous articles on the subject.

Devra Schwartz remains a pivotal figure in the field of safety and security, continually driving innovation and strategic planning to enhance public and organizational safety.