Crisis Management

<p>Sharing never-before-told anecdotes, Paul Whelan recounts his harrowing journey as a hostage in Putin’s Russia—enduring human rights abuses while fighting for freedom and justice from behind enemy lines.</p><p>On December 28, 2018, Paul Whelan was traveling in Russia for a friend’s wedding when he was framed for espionage and arrested in his hotel room.

<p>The former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and bestselling author of the memoir <i>Lessons from the Edge </i>shares insights on the region and the current crisis as well as experiences from her 33-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service.</p><p>Marie Yovanovitch served three times as U.S. Ambassador, most recently in Kyiv as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Previously, she served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic (2005-2008) and the Republic of Armenia (2008-2011).

<p>The most senior military woman ever to serve in the U.S. Department of Defense, four-star General Lori Robinson speaks on leadership, overcoming obstacles, and the most pressing U.S. national security issues today.</p><p>General Lori Robinson was the first woman to be nominated and confirmed as a combatant commander. She retired in 2018 having served as Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Commander, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). In that role, she led the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians from the U.S.

<p>One of the Army’s most skilled logisticians, Major General Vincent Boles (Ret.) has decades of experience in managing the world’s largest and most complex supply chain, from the port to the Pentagon, and he gives audiences the benefit of his considerable leadership and supply chain expertise. </p><p>General Boles served in a variety of assignments over a 33-year career, holding command positions at every level and serving in multiple combat deployments.

<p>Gus Perna, the visionary leader and logistician who led the most rapid vaccine deployment effort in global history, shares his proven principles of leadership, teamwork, and strategic planning—as well as the surprising ways AI bolstered the operation’s success, and insights on how organizations can harness its power. </p><p>Before he was named to co-lead the U.S. government’s COVID-19 response in 2020 with Operation Warp Speed, General Gus Perna served as head of the U.S.

<p>With lessons from the front lines of emergency rooms in the pandemic and combat zones in Iraq, Dr. Bose has an inspiring and motivational message for leaders in times of crisis and anyone struggling to return to “normal.”</p><p>As an Army battalion surgeon in the Iraq War, Dr. Bose was selected to treat Saddam Hussein after his capture and was awarded a Bronze Star for completing one of the longest combat tours by any physician since World War II.

<p>Brock Long is a former Administrator of FEMA and a 20-year veteran of emergency management within the public and private sector. He offers a unique perspective as organizations, businesses and citizens come to grips with the realities of crisis management and preparedness following the coronavirus outbreak.</p><p>Long led our nation through some of its worst natural disasters—from hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to the wildfire activity in the US and Canada.

<p>True survivor of extreme challenge, and business leader, Lauren Manning shares experiences that help organizations thrive even in the most difficult of times.</p><p>“It was my moment. my choice. Keep fighting or surrender and die. I made the choice. I decided to live.”</p><p>The most catastrophically wounded survivor in the September 11th attacks, Lauren battled against all odds to emerge from the fires. A world-renowned role model for her resilience and fortitude surmounting personal and professional challenges.

<p>Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) was the Commanding Officer of the USS <em>Cole</em> when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000. During his command, he and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking.

<p>The real-life inspiration behind ABC&#39;s hit political thriller series "Scandal" starring Kerry Washington, Judy Smith is the US&#39;s premier crisis management expert. As the founder and president of Smith & Company -- a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC -- she uniquely combines her communication skills, media savvy, and legal and political acumen to serve clients around the world.</p>