Supporting Los Angeles
in the Wake of Megafire
Immediate Response, Ongoing Commitment
Right after the Palisades and Eaton Fires, After the Fire USA was on the ground in Los Angeles, meeting with residents, community leaders, and local officials. Our early presence focused on listening, understanding immediate needs, and offering the first layers of support during the critical initial stages of disaster recovery.
We continue to return to Los Angeles with follow-up delegations, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region and adapting our support as community needs evolve.
Listening to Survivors, Sharing What Works
The goal of our deployments is twofold:
These exchanges create a space for honest dialogue, mutual learning, and the strengthening of community resilience.
Cross-Community
Collaboration
Each delegation is carefully assembled to include subject matter experts and survivors from previous wildfires. Their shared experience fosters a peer-to-peer model of support, helping:
Local leaders shape effective recovery strategies
Community organizations access tools and frameworks
Survivors feel seen, heard, and supported by others who’ve walked similar paths
Recovery Takes Time—and Partnership
Wildfire recovery is a long, complex journey. After the Fire USA recognizes that rebuilding homes, systems, and lives requires years of effort and sustained partnership.
We are committed to standing alongside the people of Los Angeles for the long haul—offering resources, strategic guidance, and the collective wisdom of communities that have risen from fire before.
Jennifer Gray Thompson, MPA, CEO, After the Fire USA
Reva Feldman, Strategic Advisor, After the Fire USA; City Manager (ret), City of Malibu (Woolsey Fire 2018)
Natalie Minuzzo, Executive Assistant & Coordinator, After the Fire USA
Jenn Kaaoush, Community Outreach, After the Fire USA; Co-Founder, Superior Rising; Trustee, Town of Superior, Veteran (Army) (Marshall Fire 2021)
Brad Sherwood, Assistant General Manager, Sonoma Water Agency; Founder, Larkfield Rising (Tubbs Fire 2017)
Valerie Brown, SBP Fellow, After the Fire USA; Chair, California VOAD; (Witch Creek Fire 2007)
Josiah Nishita, Managing Director, County of Maui (Maui Fires 2023)
Chris Smith, Director, Individual Assistance and Disaster Housing, IEM – Senior Leader Advisor
Tim Carpenter, Director of Disaster Recovery & Resilience – ESG/Community Impact, Fannie Mae
Sidra Goldwater, Advisor, Disaster Recovery & Rebuilding, Fannie Mae
Casey Taylor, Superintendent and Founder, Achieve Charter Schools (Camp Fire 2018)
Maddie Pennie, Senior Manager of Development, Good360
Melissa Baurer, Integrated Health & Outreach Director, Santiam Hospital and Clinics (Santiam Canyon Fire 2020)
Dr. Adrienne Heinz, Clinical Research Scientist, VA National Center for PTSD & Stanford University School of Medicine (Tubbs 2017, Kincade 2019, Walbridge 2020)
Mike Holdner, Mechanical Engineer, Keysight Technologies (Tubbs Fire 2017)
Nicole Huguenin, Co-Director & Founder, Maui Rapid Response (Maui Fire 2023)
Paul Lowenthal, Division Chief - Fire Marshal, City of Santa Rosa (Tubbs Fire 2017)
Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member, Founder of Coffey Strong, City of Santa Rosa (Tubbs Fire 2017)
Reina Pomeroy, Founder, Community for Good Consulting (Marshall Fire 2021)
Margaret Van Vliet, Principal, Trillium Advisors, LLC
David Venables, Technical Advisor, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
Katie Arrington, Resiliency and Recovery Program Manager, Boulder County (Marshall Fire 2021)
Lorez Bailey, Consultant, Lorez Bailey Consulting (North Bay Fires 2017, 2019, 2020)
Steve Rahmn, Chief Operating Officer, Firebrand Electric (Tubbs Fire 2017)
Tennis Wick, Director, Permit Sonoma (North Bay Fires 2017, 2019, 2020)
Jolie Wills, CEO, Hummingly
Julie Shiyou-Woodard, President & CEO, Smart Home America