The Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness is a dynamic curriculum designed by Harvard University faculty and tailored to the challenges business, government and nonprofit leaders face.

The Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness initiative is supported by a generous grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Comments of Local Hosts

“Institutions of higher education, particularly those with major academic medical centers play a key role in local and regional preparedness and response efforts and thus must be well integrated into the formal response system.  Partnering both academic and medical capabilities with City, County, State and even Federal assets in conjunction with business and non-profit response organizations allows a unified approach.  This multi-tiered cohesive strategy is of the highest order of importance to ensure the best response possible during major catastrophic events.”

 – Gabor D. Kelen, M.D.

Director, The Johns Hopkins Office of  Critical Event Preparedness and Response

 

“When disasters strike, the people affected depend on the American Red Cross. Managing the relief efforts after catastrophic events such as 9/11 or Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, requires participation from the nonprofit sector, government organizations and community groups. We are excited to participate in the Meta-Leadership Summit in Dallas because as a result of this collaboration, we will all be better prepared when the next emergency occurs.”

 – Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones
President & CEO, American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter

“One of our slogans at the Dallas Office of Emergency Management is ‘It’s all about relationships.’ We not only work closely with our city police and fire departments but also with our neighboring jurisdictions, the medical community, nonprofit humanitarian organizations, schools, utilities, volunteer organizations and the private business sector. The Meta-Leadership Summit offers a high level of information, education, and training to the Dallas area leadership that would manage a large-scale incident.”

 – Kenny Shaw
Director, City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management

 

“Appropriate planning, training and exercising and coordination between all interested parties is vital to the well-being of our Cook County residents, and this summit will give us the opportunity to be sure our all-hazards plans are well thought out and in place when we experience emergencies of any kind.”

 – President Todd H. Stroger
County of Cook, Chicago, Illinois

 

“An effective and appropriate response in a time of emergency is dependent on all sectors of our community – business, government, healthcare and nonprofits – working together. This summit is an opportunity for the County of Cook to foster and strengthen those vital relationships among our partners who will be needed during that important time.”

– Dr. Stephen Martin
Chief Operating Officer, Cook County Department of Public Health, Oak Park, Illinois

"Planning and preparing for disasters and public health emergencies before they happen are essential to ensuring coordinated crisis responses in our communities. The Meta-Leadership Summit is an opportunity for leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to connect and collaborate in an effort to strengthen New Jersey’s preparedness."

– Edward J. Ludwig

Chairman, President and CEO, BD

“The Meta-Leadership Summit is a great opportunity for business, government and the nonprofit sector to become connected before a disaster happens.”

– Brian Quail

CEO, The American Red Cross Louisville Area Chapter

“Being prepared to respond in times of community crisis is the responsibility of all sectors - business, government and nonprofits. The Meta-Leadership Summit is an opportunity for the Denver metro area to maintain its reputation for strong regional leadership and to work together to strengthen the region’s preparedness.”

     – Anne Warhover

        President and CEO, Colorado Health Foundation

“Kansas was hit by three major disasters this year that left record-breaking destruction. These storms remind us that we need to be ready for any disaster and make plans now – ahead of time – to better prepare us to deal with whatever comes our way.”

     – (Former) Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius,

    Secretary of Health and Human Services

"Proper work and coordination between all interested parties is vital to the well-being of our citizens, and this summit will give us the opportunity to be sure our plans are well thought-out and in place when we experience emergencies."

     – Columbus, GA Mayor Jim Wetherington