NEW YORK, December 9, 2021 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that Paula Pagniez, Americas practice lead of the Climate and Resilience Hub at Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, has been appointed to FEMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC), which advises on all aspects of emergency management.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve the country by supporting the work of FEMA and the National Advisory Council,” said Pagniez. “I look forward to working alongside this cohort of dedicated specialists in order to advance climate change adaptation, promote disaster risk reduction and build community resilience nationwide.”
As director of the Climate and Resilience Hub, Pagniez specializes in climate and natural disaster risk management and resilience solutions for sovereigns, sub-sovereigns, corporations and the development sector. She also spearheads financial inclusion and humanitarian initiatives on a global level. This represents a core component of the Hub’s wider work, supported by a multidisciplinary team of experts providing analytics, advisory and implementation services to help organizations identify, measure and respond to climate-related risks and opportunities.
During the three-year appointment, Pagniez will help guide future recommendations on equity, climate change and readiness. NAC members are composed of a geographically diverse and substantive cross section of 35 officials, emergency managers and emergency responders from different levels of government and the private sector.
Collectively, these members advise the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management to ensure input from and coordination with state, local and tribal governments and the private sector on federal plans, programs and strategies for all hazards. Due to previous changes in the council’s charter, this will also be the first time the NAC has a climate specialist member.
In a separate press statement released by FEMA, Administrator Deanne Criswell said: “I am honored to welcome the newly appointed and re-appointed FEMA National Advisory Council members. NAC members are significant contributors to advancing FEMA’s mission and provide unique, survivor-centric perspectives from across government and community.
“We are proud to share that the NAC is not only welcoming a climate specialist in 2021, but for the first time in the council’s history, a dedicated climate-focused position will be offered during the 2022 application period. This new position serves as an excellent opportunity for our nation’s most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in the climate space to step forward and pursue a chance to influence the way we build resilience across communities nationwide. I look forward to the energy and great efforts the council will undoubtedly bring forth and congratulate the new and re-appointed members on this achievement.”
Of the 12 members selected, 10 are new appointments and two are reappointments. The 12 members appointed or reappointed in 2021 are:
For more information on the NAC, visit their page.
The Climate and Resilience Hub (CRH) is the focal point for our climate expertise and capabilities, pooling knowledge from across our people, risk and capital businesses and from our collaborations to deliver climate and resilience solutions in response to a range of regulatory, investor, consumer, employee and operating pressures. Under the Climate Quantified™ brand we deliver analytics, advice and transactions to enable corporate, finance and public sector institutions to embrace the climate decade ahead.
Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential.
