An Adaptable World Environment

August 21-22, 2024 – Las Vegas, NV

Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions

For over six decades, DRI has tirelessly tackled scientific challenges related to global climate. DRI is unwavering in its commitment to continue this intensive research. But fortifying communities against future devastation requires more than science. It demands the collective resolve of communities: agency staff, elected officials, policymakers, first responders, researchers and scientists, industry leaders, environmentalists and residents working together on measures to advance resilience and adaptability. This is where AWE+ comes into play.

AWE+ A DRI Global Initiative: Adaptable World Environment

2024 Featured Speakers

AWE+ 2024 will transcend the traditional conference structure by empowering delegates, through DRI guidance, to take leading roles in envisioning user-inspired, climate-adapted communities.

The summit will focus on the devastating impacts of wildfires and envision a world where communities can prepare for and adapt to wildfire and its effects. The escalating intensity of wildfire events including post-fire debris flows, flooding, smoke, and other consequences, pose acute human threats and societal costs. The program is a call to action for the urgent need to accelerate the transformation toward resiliency.

Doug Cannon smiling for the camera in a collared shirt and suit jacket.

Doug Cannon

CEO
NV Energy 

Headshot of Sarah McCaffrey in a green shirt and smiling at the camera.

Dr. Sarah McCaffrey

Retired Social Scientist
U.S. Forest Service

Marcia McNutt smiling for the camera wearing a red suit jacket

Dr. Marcia McNutt

President
National Academy of Sciences

Black and White photo of Michael Wara in a checkered shirt in front of trees.

Dr. Michael Wara

Senior Research Scholar
Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment

Stephen Pyne smiling with a plain white background.

Dr. Stephen Pyne

Emeritus and Regents Professor
Arizona State University 

Dr. Kumud Acharaya in a blue blazer and DRI pin in front of trees.

Dr. Kumud Acharya

President
DRI

Photo of Marci in an office wearing a black suit jacket.

Marci Henson

Director, Environment & Sustainability
Clark County, Nevada

Kara Steeland smiling for the camera in a black suit jacket.

Kara Steeland

Hydrologist
Truckee Meadows Water Authority 

Jesse Murray smiling for the camera in a blue polo shirt.

Jesse Murray

VP of Electric Delivery & Natural Disaster Protection
NV Energy 

Tim Brown smiling at the camera in front of trees.

Dr. Tim Brown

Director
Western Regional Climate Center at DRI

Michele Steinberg smiling for the camera in a blue blazer.

Michele Steinberg

Wildfire Division Director
National Fire Protection Association

Headshot of Thom Porter smiling in a black suit.

Thom Porter

Former Fire Chief
CAL FIRE

David Shew smiling for the camera outside in a suit and tie.

David Shew

Fire Administrator
Napa County, California

Ilkay Altintas smiling for the camera in a black suit jacket and white top.

Dr. Ilkay Altintas

Chief Data Science Officer, San Diego Supercomputer Center
University of California, San Diego

Caroline Thomas Jacobs standing in front of the American flag in a vest and tie with shite collared shirt.

Caroline Thomas Jacobs

Director
California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety 

Bruce Yerman smiling for the camera in a suit and tie outside with trees in the background.

Dr. Bruce Yerman

Director of Operations
The Camp Fire Collective

Jim Lochhead in a suit and tie smiling at the camera.

James Lochhead

Former Chief Executive Officer
Denver Water

Tamara Wall in a green cardigan and white blouse.

Dr. Tamara Wall

Deputy Director
Western Regional Climate Center at DRI

Headshot of Marybel wearing glasses and a black suit jacket with pearls.

Marybel Batjer

Partner
California Strategies, LLC

Headshot of Alexis Hill wearing glasses and a green suit jacket.

Alexis Hill

Chair
Washoe County Board of Commissioners

Headshot of Molly outside in front of green trees in a purple blouse.

Molly Mowery

Executive Director
Community Wildfire Planning Center

Photo of Scott in front of a wildfire in a yellow hard hat and projective gear.

Scott Farley

Founder and Principal Consultant
Willow Labs

Headshot of Alex in front of red rocks wearing a navy collared shirt.

Alex Bybee

Founder & Principal
Bybee Co. LLC

Headshot of Chrisina outside in front of trees showing fall colors in a green sweater.

Christina Restaino

Assistant Professor and State Specialist
University of Nevada, Reno Living with Fire Program

Forest Schafer outside in front of pine trees in a dark blue collared button down shirt.

Forest Schafer

State Coordinator
California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force

Bill Fleischhacker standing in front of green bushes outside in a light blue collared shirt and dark blue suit jacket.

Bill Fleischhacker

Executive Managing Director
AON Benfield

Black and White photo of Nikki Cooley smiling at the camera.

Nikki Cooley

Co-Director
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) & Tribes & Climate Change Program

Headshot of Howard Watts in glasses and suit and tie smiling at the camera.

Howard Watts

Assembly Member
Nevada State Legislature, District 15

Headshot of Maya outside in the sun wearing a colorful scarf.

Maya Daurio

Sociocultural & Environmental Anthropologist, PhD Candidate
University of British Columbia

Headshot of Amber outside with greenery in the background smiling for the camera.

Amber Pairis

Executive Director and Founder/Research Professor
Climate Science Alliance/Western Regional Climate Center, DRI

Thanks to our valued partners and sponsors for supporting AWE+ 2024:

AWE+ Sponsor Logos

AWE+ is synonymous with SYNERGY

AWE+ will harness the potential of collective energy to drive changes in policies, practices, technologies, and behaviors.

It is an immersive experience where DRI will assemble and convene a carefully curated cross-section of people committed to breaking out of existing paradigms, engaging in candid conversations, and collaborating in new ways.

This diverse delegation will share ideas and knowledge, and take decisive actions aimed at building communities better prepared for the inevitable effects of global climate events.

View of the DRI Reno Campus with the landscape in the background.