KEYNOTE – Resilience in the Heat of Crisis: Lessons from LADWP’s Wildfire Response

In this keynote session, two senior executives from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) — representing emergency management and customer service and communications respectively — will provide an in-depth look at the utility’s response to the January 2025 wildfires, including the devastating Pacific Palisades fire. They will discuss the challenges and opportunities faced in operations, emergency response and customer communications. The session will also address the lessons learned and the steps LADWP is taking to enhance infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness for future events.

Speakers:

 

  • Joseph Romallo, Chief Customer Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Joseph leads customer service for 1.5 million customers and oversees billing, contact centers, and key accounts. He also directs LADWP’s communications, marketing, and community outreach and distributed energy customer programs including solar and energy efficiency. With over 30 years in public service, Ramallo has held senior roles in the administrations of Miami-Dade County and the City of Los Angeles, focusing on communications, policy, and advocacy. His team has earned multiple awards, including PRSA-LA Prism Awards and a national Bronze Award for LADWP’s Intake Magazine Aqueduct Centennial Issue.

 

  • Zoraya Oliver-Griffin, Chief Officer, Climate Resiliency & Emergency Management, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Zoraya leads LADWP’s emergency management and climate resiliency efforts, overseeing preparedness, response, recovery, and the LA28 Olympics Program Office. She’s also responsible for the Department’s recovery of the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfire.  Previously, she held leadership roles at Sempra Infrastructure and SDG&E, with expertise in emergency operations, wildfire mitigation, and system resiliency. With over 20 years in the energy sector, she has led programs in operations, wildfire mitigation, and joint venture management. She holds dual B.A. degrees from Pepperdine and studied law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. A San Diego native, she enjoys hiking and family time.

 

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