Q&A with Public Risk Managers Responding to COVID-19

Matt Hansen
Director Of The Risk Management City and County of San Francisco
Jennifer Hills
Director of Risk Management for King County
Marilyn Rivers
Director of Risk and Safety and the Safety and Compliance Officer for the City of Saratoga Springs
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In continuation of the Risk Management Response to COVID-19 webinar, experienced risk managers from coronavirus hotspots provide more insight outlining mitigation and recovery methods in response to the pandemic. For instance, there are a number of resources that can be implemented if your entity is looking for solutions regarding safety, cleanliness, cyber security and HIPAA laws with each individual case. One example would be the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 website. This website provides information involving maintaining transit, regular businesses, airports, railway systems and more amidst the pandemic. The website also features OSHA’s guidance on COVID-19 re-integration.

Seeing as the municipalities of note within the COVID-19 hotspots are various sizes, it's important to acknowledge that mitigation efforts can be adjusted prior to their application regardless of the size of the entity. For more methods to manage and prevent further COVID-19 risks, be sure to listen to the full podcast above!

By: Matt Hansen
Director Of The Risk Management City and County of San Francisco

Summary of Qualifications

Matt Hansen serves as the director of the risk management division for the City and County of San Francisco. Additionally, Matt served on the US Technical Advisory Group for ISO 31000, as well as a director on the Boards of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) and the Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI). Prior to joining City and County of San Francisco, Matt has held both public and private sector posts leading the Risk Management operations of school districts (including San Francisco Unified and San Diego Unified), technology & consulting firms, and performing catastrophe response and team management for insurers. Matt holds a master's degree in public administration.

By: Jennifer Hills
Director of Risk Management for King County

Summary of Qualifications

Jennifer Hills has been the Director of Risk Management for King County, Washington since 2003. King County, which includes the Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area, is the 13th largest County in the United States serving a population of over 2 million. King County, through its 15,000 employees, provides direct and regional services such as public health and community services, parks and recreation, wastewater treatment, and criminal justice. King County also operates the regional transportation network including bus, light rail, streetcar, and passenger ferry services, as well as the King County International Airport.

Jennifer is responsible for establishing a culture of balanced risk-taking using a risk-value framework, implementing ERM, and managing a broad risk management program.

Jennifer received her B.A. in Business from the University of Washington, and her ARM-P and CRM designations. In 2018, Jennifer was named Public Risk Manager of the Year by the Public Risk Management Association and was named to the Risk and Insurance Management Society’s Risk Management Honor Roll.

By: Marilyn Rivers
Director of Risk and Safety and the Safety and Compliance Officer for the City of Saratoga Springs, NY.

Summary of Qualifications

Marilyn Rivers is the Director of Risk and Safety and the Safety and Compliance Officer for the City of Saratoga Springs, NY. She possesses a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Physics and a Masters in Education. Her professional certifications include The Institutes’ CPCU, ARM, and AIC designations.

Marilyn currently chairs and facilitates her City Safety Committee and the Saratoga County Local Emergency Planning Committee composed of representatives from the federal, state and local governments who serve alongside area business leaders. She is a Director-at-Large for the National Safety Council’s Government and Public Sector. You may hear her on PRIMA Podcasts and Webinars speaking on a variety of risk and safety management basics. She hosts interns each semester from local colleges hoping to inspire future risk professionals.

Marilyn is active within her local community as a member of Lions International and is a recipient of their Melvin Jones, Robert J Uplinger and Knights of the Blind Awards for community service.

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