About Devra Schwartz
Innovative Leader | Public Safety Executive
Devra Schwartz is an esteemed Safety and Security Consultant with a long-standing career dedicated to guiding the private sector, governmental agencies, and academic institutions through complex security and crisis landscapes. Her profound impact on strategic and emergency planning, program innovation, and crisis management has notably helped partners and colleagues enhance their market positions while minimizing risks and maintaining control over security, reputation, and financial outcomes. With a robust track record in crafting and deploying crisis management plans, she significantly bolsters public safety, fortifies security measures, and supports corporate goals. Her exceptional ability to maintain composure and deliver strategic solutions during critical situations has solidified her reputation as a pioneering figure in the field of public safety.
She is recognized for her exceptional leadership in well-prepared building teams to execute comprehensive emergency response and crisis recovery strategies, effectively minimizing operational disruptions. Her extensive crisis management expertise spans various challenging scenarios, including data breaches, natural catastrophes, public controversies, and economic downturns. She possesses a keen ability to conduct thorough evaluations of existing security frameworks and business strategies, employ state-of-the-art technology, and institute robust organizational protocols that enhance resilience and enable recovery from business interruptions.
Beginning her career in the educational realm, she first made her mark as a Program Manager, where she was instrumental in driving large-scale initiatives aimed at promoting leadership qualities and academic prowess among middle and high school students. Her responsibilities within the educational sector involved close collaboration with school leadership and board members to launch and sustain youth development programs in underprivileged communities in New York City. In 2007, she transitioned to her role as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles. In this critical role, she managed substantial grants, developed effective response and recovery strategies, and actively participated in numerous large-scale emergency management operations, working collaboratively with local, state, and federal agencies.
With a professional history spanning over twenty years in leadership positions, she prioritizes clear goal-setting and cultivating a collaborative work environment where every team member's contribution is acknowledged and valued. She has effectively led cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious objectives, always emphasizing a positive, team-oriented organizational culture.
EDUCATION
Devra Schwartz completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. This interdisciplinary course allowed her to explore how various political, economic, and cultural forces shape and are shaped by the law. She also participated in an international program at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, further broadening her educational horizons.
Her commitment to education continued as she pursued a Master of Science in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructure from the University of Washington. This advanced program, initiated in response to the catastrophic events of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, equipped her with essential skills for managing and mitigating risks across critical infrastructures, as well as a deep understanding of emergency management principles and homeland security strategies.
She has consistently advocated for continuous professional development, achieving numerous FEMA training certifications. Her commitment to leadership excellence is further evidenced by her completion of several high-level executive programs, including:
Leadership in Crises from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Enhanced All Hazards Incident Management from Texas A&M Engineering
HERS Wellesley Leadership Certificate from the HERS Leadership Institute at Wellesley University
CAREER
Devra Schwartz currently serves as the Principal Consultant at Total Resilience Consulting, advising on supply chain resilience for the City of Los Angeles and consulting on safety and security improvements for higher education institutions.
Previously, she held the role of Vice President of Safety and Security at Loyola Marymount University, where she led a team of 60 professionals responsible for public safety, emergency management, security technology, access control, and environmental health and safety. Her leadership included rebranding the department, strategic planning, governance, compliance, and managing a substantial budget.
Before her tenure at LMU, she was Vice President of Operations at the LA Homeland Security Advisory Council. She co-developed SALUS, a transformative GIS-based technology platform that facilitated unprecedented data-informed decision-making and resource management during crises. Thanks to her efforts in forging over 50 partnerships within the region, this platform became widely adopted by major Los Angeles agencies, such as LAPD and LAFD.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS
Devra Schwartz has been widely recognized for her contributions, notably during COVID-19, the planning of the 2019 Democratic Presidential Debate, and the co-creation of SALUS, which garnered first place at the IBM Stanford Hackathon. She also developed the highly acclaimed City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Internship Program, earning the Los Angeles City Controller's Quality & Productivity Award for its impact on training emergency management professionals.
A founding advisory board member for UCLA's certificate programs in Emergency Management, Schwartz is also a renowned speaker and author, having presented at international conferences, delivered a TEDx talk, and published numerous articles on emergency management and collaborative strategies.
Devra Schwartz continues to lead with dedication and strategic insight, significantly influencing the fields of safety, security, and emergency management.
Portfolio Website: Devra Schwartz
