Vera Wang – 2025 Annual Conference Student Scholar Reflection
Vera Wang
Economics and Environmental Studies major; Minor in Risk Management, University of Southern California
As a student majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Risk Management, attending the 2025 PRIMA Conference provided invaluable insights into how theories taught in the classroom translate into real-world applications, especially in the realms of emerging technologies, environmental hazards, and enterprise risk management.
Firstly, Peter Simonsen’s session on “Managing AI Risk for Public Entities” revealed how artificial intelligence is reshaping risk landscapes for government organizations. The analogy that “data is the oil of the 21st century” perfectly encapsulates the importance of proper resource extraction and sustainable management. For example, learning about AI applications, such as Arizona Supreme Court’s AI reporter, Colorado wildfire detection systems, or New Orleans’ facial recognition technology demonstrated how technology can enhance public service delivery while introducing new vulnerabilities such as data privacy concerns and biased modeling.
However, these issues can be addressed through data cleaning, not over-relying on technology, and regularly educating yourself about AI practices and regulatory guidelines. As Peter aptly puts, “AI isn’t coming for your job; someone who knows how to use AI is coming for your job.”
Overall, this session underscored the importance of developing technological literacy alongside traditional risk assessment skills.
As an Environmental Studies student, Cameron Douglass’s presentation on PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) risks was a fascinating case study in environmental contamination management, especially considering the scope of the problem: 98% of human bodies have detectable PFAS concentrations, and 45% of U.S. drinking water systems contain it.
The regulatory framework discussion, which covered CERCLA designation, drinking water standards, and Superfund liability, highlighted how environmental science intersects with legal and financial risk management. The $20 million pilot ion exchange system in Southern California exemplified the substantial costs associated with environmental remediation, a reality that reinforces the value of proactive risk management strategies in addressing PFAS in our communities sooner, rather than later.
The ERM Roundtable with Shannon Gunderman and Lisanne Sison emphasized how effective risk management requires both quantitative analysis and cultural integration. For example, the concept of “scope creep,” or avoiding projects that don’t address identified risks, offered a valuable framework for prioritizing resources. More importantly, the discussion of using quantitative data points to convince C-suite executives while employing qualitative approaches to gradually influence organizational culture provided practical insights into implementation challenges I had not considered in class.
PRIMA’s 2025 Annual Conference highlighted that effective risk management increasingly requires professionals who can navigate highly complex and regularly evolving systems. As I continue my studies, I believe that the intersection of environmental science and risk management will be crucial for addressing 21st-century challenges such as climate adaptation to emerging technology governance, both in public and private sector risk management.
Vera Wang
Economics and Environmental Studies major; Minor in Risk Management, University of Southern California
Vera Wang is a second-year student pursuing a degree in environmental studies with a minor in risk management and comparative literature at the University of Southern California, where she serves as treasurer and vice president of marketing for Gamma Iota Sigma. She is also a resident assistant, a geochemistry research intern, and an investigative reporter for Annenberg Media. Last summer, Vera interned in FM’s claims department, an experience that sparked her interest in wildfire-related property insurance policy research, which she pursues independently. Beyond academics, she enjoys watching River Monsters, talking about her three dogs, sewing, writing film reviews and reading.
