Devra Schwartz
Public Safety Executive, Crisis Manager, Business Continuity Planner
Devra Schwartz is a distinguished Safety and Security Consultant with a rich background in guiding diverse organizations, including private sector firms, governmental bodies, and educational institutions, through complex security challenges and crisis scenarios. Her strategic insight in emergency planning, program development, and crisis management has significantly boosted market share, mitigated risks, and stabilized impacts on security, reputation, and financial outcomes for a broad array of stakeholders. Her expertise in formulating and executing crisis management strategies is highly regarded for enhancing public safety, bolstering security measures, and protecting corporate interests. Her effective leadership in high-pressure environments has established her as a visionary leader in public safety and security.
Throughout her career, she has been celebrated for her skill in assembling and leading high-performing teams adept at carrying out comprehensive emergency response and crisis recovery plans, thereby ensuring minimal disruption to operations. She has managed an extensive range of crises, including data security breaches, natural disasters, public relations scandals, and financial downturns. Schwartz is exceptionally skilled in evaluating existing security systems and business strategies, incorporating innovative technology solutions, and setting up solid organizational protocols that build resilience and facilitate recovery from disruptions.
Schwartz embarked on her professional journey within the educational sector, where she initially made significant contributions as a Program Manager. She led various large-scale initiatives aimed at boosting academic excellence and leadership among middle and high school students. In these roles, she worked closely with leadership teams and boards to launch and sustain developmental programs for youths in underserved New York City neighborhoods. Transitioning in 2007, she took on the role of Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles, where she was responsible for grant management, developing effective response and recovery strategies, and coordinating complex emergency management operations across multiple government levels.
With more than two decades of leadership experience, Schwartz consistently emphasizes the importance of setting clear objectives and fostering an inclusive atmosphere where the value of each team member is recognized. Her leadership has propelled numerous cross-functional teams towards achieving ambitious goals, all while maintaining a positive and collaborative organizational culture.
EDUCATION
Devra Schwartz completed her undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. This interdisciplinary program explored the dynamic interactions between law and various societal forces, including political, economic, and cultural influences. She further enriched her academic portfolio by participating in an international academic program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Pursuing further education, Schwartz attended the University of Washington, where she obtained a Master of Science in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructure. This program, initiated in the aftermath of significant national emergencies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, equipped her with specialized knowledge in managing and mitigating risks across critical infrastructure sectors, emergency management principles, and homeland security strategies.
Schwartz is a staunch advocate for continuous professional development, holding numerous certifications from FEMA and several prestigious executive-level certificates, including:
CAREER
Currently, Devra Schwartz serves as the Principal Consultant at Total Resilience Consulting. In this role, she provides strategic guidance to the City of Los Angeles on supply chain resilience and collaborates with higher education institutions to enhance their security frameworks.
Previously, Schwartz held the position of Vice President of Safety and Security at Loyola Marymount University, where she led a team of 60 professionals and was responsible for public safety, emergency management, security technology, access control, and environmental health and safety. Her tenure included significant roles such as rebranding the department, strategic planning, and governance, as well as overseeing a multi-million dollar budget.
Before her executive role at LMU, she was Vice President of Operations at the LA Homeland Security Advisory Council, where she co-developed SALUS. This cutting-edge GIS-based technology platform revolutionized data-informed decision-making and resource management during crises. This platform has been widely adopted by critical agencies in Los Angeles, including LAPD and LAFD.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS
Devra Schwartz has earned recognition for her strategic involvement during the COVID-19 pandemic, orchestrating the 2019 Democratic Presidential Debate and creating SALUS, the GIS-based crisis and event management tool that received top honors at the IBM Stanford Hackathon. She also spearheaded the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Internship Program, which was honored with the Los Angeles City Controller's Quality & Productivity Award for its significant contribution to emergency management training.
As a founding advisory board member for the UCLA certificate programs in Emergency Management, Schwartz is a prominent speaker and author, having delivered talks at international conferences, presented a TEDx talk on emergency management, and authored several articles focused on emergency management and collaboration strategies.
Devra Schwartz continues to be a pivotal figure in the safety and security field, driving innovation and strategic insights that significantly enhance public and organizational safety.
Throughout her career, she has been celebrated for her skill in assembling and leading high-performing teams adept at carrying out comprehensive emergency response and crisis recovery plans, thereby ensuring minimal disruption to operations. She has managed an extensive range of crises, including data security breaches, natural disasters, public relations scandals, and financial downturns. Schwartz is exceptionally skilled in evaluating existing security systems and business strategies, incorporating innovative technology solutions, and setting up solid organizational protocols that build resilience and facilitate recovery from disruptions.
Schwartz embarked on her professional journey within the educational sector, where she initially made significant contributions as a Program Manager. She led various large-scale initiatives aimed at boosting academic excellence and leadership among middle and high school students. In these roles, she worked closely with leadership teams and boards to launch and sustain developmental programs for youths in underserved New York City neighborhoods. Transitioning in 2007, she took on the role of Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles, where she was responsible for grant management, developing effective response and recovery strategies, and coordinating complex emergency management operations across multiple government levels.
With more than two decades of leadership experience, Schwartz consistently emphasizes the importance of setting clear objectives and fostering an inclusive atmosphere where the value of each team member is recognized. Her leadership has propelled numerous cross-functional teams towards achieving ambitious goals, all while maintaining a positive and collaborative organizational culture.
EDUCATION
Devra Schwartz completed her undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. This interdisciplinary program explored the dynamic interactions between law and various societal forces, including political, economic, and cultural influences. She further enriched her academic portfolio by participating in an international academic program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Pursuing further education, Schwartz attended the University of Washington, where she obtained a Master of Science in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructure. This program, initiated in the aftermath of significant national emergencies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, equipped her with specialized knowledge in managing and mitigating risks across critical infrastructure sectors, emergency management principles, and homeland security strategies.
Schwartz is a staunch advocate for continuous professional development, holding numerous certifications from FEMA and several prestigious executive-level certificates, 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
Currently, Devra Schwartz serves as the Principal Consultant at Total Resilience Consulting. In this role, she provides strategic guidance to the City of Los Angeles on supply chain resilience and collaborates with higher education institutions to enhance their security frameworks.
Previously, Schwartz held the position of Vice President of Safety and Security at Loyola Marymount University, where she led a team of 60 professionals and was responsible for public safety, emergency management, security technology, access control, and environmental health and safety. Her tenure included significant roles such as rebranding the department, strategic planning, and governance, as well as overseeing a multi-million dollar budget.
Before her executive role at LMU, she was Vice President of Operations at the LA Homeland Security Advisory Council, where she co-developed SALUS. This cutting-edge GIS-based technology platform revolutionized data-informed decision-making and resource management during crises. This platform has been widely adopted by critical agencies in Los Angeles, including LAPD and LAFD.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS
Devra Schwartz has earned recognition for her strategic involvement during the COVID-19 pandemic, orchestrating the 2019 Democratic Presidential Debate and creating SALUS, the GIS-based crisis and event management tool that received top honors at the IBM Stanford Hackathon. She also spearheaded the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Internship Program, which was honored with the Los Angeles City Controller's Quality & Productivity Award for its significant contribution to emergency management training.
As a founding advisory board member for the UCLA certificate programs in Emergency Management, Schwartz is a prominent speaker and author, having delivered talks at international conferences, presented a TEDx talk on emergency management, and authored several articles focused on emergency management and collaboration strategies.
Devra Schwartz continues to be a pivotal figure in the safety and security field, driving innovation and strategic insights that significantly enhance public and organizational safety.