Effective Stakeholder Management & Leadership in Emergency Management Projects

This podcast episode features Adam Suktkus, an instructor at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University and adjunct lecturer at the College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security, & Cybersecurity at the State University of New York at Albany. Adam discusses his extensive experience in emergency management, including his roles at CalOES and as a trainer with FEMA. The conversation covers key strategies for managing communication with stakeholders in high-pressure situations, handling schedule and budget constraints, effective leadership without direct authority, and dealing with power dynamics. Adam also shares insights on the importance of flexibility and resilience in a field characterized by complexity and uncertainty.

00:00 Introduction to Adam Sutkus

00:57 Effective Stakeholder Management in Emergency Projects

06:37 Strategies for Handling Power Dynamics

11:33 Navigating Project Challenges and Scope Creep

16:08 Leadership in Emergency Management

22:43 Preparing Future Emergency Managers

26:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About

Adam Sutkus is NDEMU (EMI)/FEMA Instructor, and is also an Adjunct Lecturer, State University of NY at Albany, College of Emergency Preparedness Homeland Security, & Cybersecurity. He worked with both California State Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and and the California State University system and five years with the federal government at U.S. EPA. In 2020 he retired from the State of California Specialized Training Unit (CSTU) as an Instructor/Trainer.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sutkus-91032b6/

Sutkus, Adam, University at Albany, State University of New York. CALIFORNIA'S AREA CONTINGENCY PLANS: A SUCCESSFUL STATE/FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP, February 1995; International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings 1995(1):924-925

DOI:10.7901/2169-3358-1995-1-924

Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

In this episode, Erika Andresen, a recognized business continuity expert, discusses the critical importance of preparedness for businesses, sharing insights from her latest books and experiences, including the response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Key topics include the role of risk management, the limitations of relying solely on insurance, and practical steps for businesses to implement effective continuity planning. Erika also touches upon the psychological impacts of disasters, the importance of mental health in emergency management, and offers valuable advice for small and medium-sized enterprises to bolster their resilience.

Timestamps

01:00 Introduction to Erika Andresen

02:03 Hurricane Helene's Impact on Asheville

06:01 Recovery Efforts in Asheville

08:56 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene

15:37 The Importance of Business Continuity

31:21 Erika's Final Thoughts

About

Erika Andresen, JD, CBCP, MPA, is a recognized expert and consultant in Business Continuity. She has nearly two decades of experience as a lawyer in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert in national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands including during high-risk situations while deployed in Afghanistan. Erika left active duty in 2020 and started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. Erika is also a professor of emergency management for the MPA program at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Erika is a widely quoted expert and has been featured in a variety of publications, including Forbes, ProPublica, and SUCCESS Magazine. She is a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at conferences, addressed private events for Fortune 500 companies, and is an invited lecturer for both MIT's "Advanced Business Resiliency" and "Crisis Management and Business Resilience" courses. Her experience surviving Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC, inspired her second book, When The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disasters. Her first book, How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong, has sold every month since it was released in September 2022.

Erika is a fan of combining her Emergency Management background with Business Continuity to maximize impact for community resilience. She is also a 2x Amazon Best Seller, international podcast guest, recovering lawyer, and generally a hoot (so she’s told).

Links

Erika as a Service (EasS) Website

https://www.eaasc.com/meet-erika

Get Your FREE BC Worksheet

https://www.eaasc.com/free-worksheet

Books

When The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow, and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disasters

Part 2 of my podcast with Michael Stone, President of the IFRC Alumni Association features a discussion on leadership and team dynamics within the context of emergency management and Red Cross principles. They reflect on effective leadership practices during their IFRC mission in Georgia (former Soviet Republic), and highlight key strategies such as monthly staff gatherings, fostering equality among international and national staff, and leveraging national staff talents. The conversation includes anecdotes about cultural integration, the importance of respect for national identity, and the value of collaborations with NGOs.

Timestamps

Introduction and Acknowledgements — 00:00

Diplomacy and Leadership Insights — 01:29

Reflections on Mission in Georgia — 01:51

National and International Staff Dynamics — 03:47

Cultural Integration and Team Building — 05:44

Challenges and Achievements in Georgia — 07:49

Leadership Anecdotes and Lessons — 12:30

About Michael:

Michael Stone currently serves as the President of the IFRC Alumni Association, where he fosters a global network of former Red Cross and Red Crescent staff. A distinguished humanitarian specialist, he has spent decades managing complex emergency responses for refugees and internally displaced persons. Stone formerly served as the Head of International Operations for the British Red Cross, directing major relief efforts in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. He is perhaps best known for orchestrating and leading Princess Diana’s historic 1997 anti-landmine mission to Angola, a pivotal moment in the global campaign to ban landmines. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles with the United Nations and various international NGOs.

Listen to the first part of this interview in episode 21, where Michael presents the 12 Laws for Effective Emergency Management.

For more information on the IFRC Alumni Association:

https://www.ifrcalumni.org/