EMspire Innovation Summit

Guidehouse, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region, will host the EMspire Innovation Summit on March 19, 2026, at the American Red Cross - National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

This year's theme—United in Purpose: Building SLTT Partnerships Before, During, and After Disasters—spotlights the critical role of State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) organizations in strengthening emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

Attendees will join leaders from government, the private sector, and academia for dynamic discussions that explore how partnerships can enhance disaster resilience and drive innovative solutions. Together, we'll explore bold ideas, forge connections, and shape the future of emergency management.

Space is limited. If capacity is reached, additional registrants may be placed on a waitlist and notified if space becomes available. A confirmed registration is required to attend.

 

Location

American Red Cross - National Headquarters
430 17th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

 

Event agenda

9:30 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Welcoming Remarks

Speakers:

• Noé Hatchuel, Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross, National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region
• Shannon White, Partner and Segment Leader, Defense & Security, Guidehouse

 

9:40 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Building Community Trust in Emergency Management

Panelists:

• Charlie Elison, Executive Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of Philadelphia
• Darryl Madden, Emergency Management External Affairs Association, Former FEMA

Moderator: Alyx Colgan, Associate Director, Defense & Security, Guidehouse

 

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. The Francis Scott Key Bridge & SLTT Coordination in Action

Panelists:

• Joe Henderson, Director, Baltimore City Emergency Management
• Russell Strickland, Secretary, Maryland Department of Emergency Management

Moderator: Sarah de Wolf, Director, Communities, Energy & Infrastructure, Guidehouse

 

11:00 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Break

 

11:10 a.m. - 11:55 p.m. Powering SLTT Emergency Management through AI

Panelists:

• Jeremy Bersin, AI, EM1
• Sean Griffin, CEO, Disaster Tech
• Justin Snair, AI, Preppr

Moderator: Leigh Sheldon, Partner, Technology, Guidehouse

 

11:55 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. Lunch

Speakers:

• Rachelle Bishop, Managing Consultant, Technology, Guidehouse
• Iden Kaymar, Principal, Technology, Guidehouse

 

12:35 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Keynote: The Lifesaving Power of Partnerships

Speaker: Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management

 

1:00 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. Public-Private Partnerships: Mobilizing Together for Emergency Readiness

Panelists:

• Carl Cowan, Director of Emergency Management, Harvard Medical School
• Rob Glenn, Vice President, Global Resilience, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation 
• Paul Huang, Vice President, OST Incorporated
• Sarah L. Young, Ph.D., Professor of Public Administration, Kennesaw State University

Moderator: Curtis Brown, Term Faculty, Virginia Commonwealth University, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

 

1:55 p.m. - 2:05 p.m. Break

 

2:05 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. Data-Driven Decision Making in the Nation's Capital

Speaker: Gabe Gan, Data Analyst, D.C. Fire & EMS

Facilitator: Alyx Colgan, Associate Director, Defense & Security, Guidehouse

 

2:50 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks & Call to Action

Speaker: Adam Lucas, Partner, Defense & Security, Guidehouse

 

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Networking Hour