Johns Hopkins SAIS to host “Building Resilience to the Economic Threat of Invasive Species,” on Wednesday, April 25, 2018

MEDIA ADVISORY
 
“Building Resilience to the Economic Threat of Invasive Species,” a presentation and panel discussion, will be hosted by the Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE) Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
 
Invasive species are bleeding public coffers and harming commercial industries, leading to billions of dollars in damages and maintenance costs. The presentation by the 2017-2018 ERE-Swiss Re practicum team seeks to reveal the true costs of invasive species in North America including the Great Lakes area, identify gaps in invasive species management, examine opportunities for the insurance industry to offset these risks, and explore where cooperation between the U.S. and Canada can promote creative solutions.
 
The panel featuring experts from the U.S. and Canadian governments, as well as global reinsurance company Swiss Re, will discuss the intersection between invasive species risks and innovative insurance tools.
 
Agenda
 
5:30 - 5:50 p.m.
Introduction
Celeste Connors
Associate Practitioner in Residence, Johns Hopkins SAIS
 
Opening Remarks
Vali Nasr
Dean, Johns Hopkins SAIS
 
5:50 - 6:10 p.m.
Presentation of Research Findings
 
2017-2018 ERE-Swiss Re Practicum Team:
Jessica Chin
George Gao
Rebecca Schloemann
Sonia Sharan


6:10 - 6:45 p.m.
Panel Discussion
 
Panelists:
Alex Kaplan
Head of North America and Senior VP of Global Partnerships, Swiss Re
 
Rachel McCormick
Counsellor of Energy and Environment, Embassy of Canada


Stas Burgiel
Assistant Director at the National Invasive Species Council, U.S. Department of Interior


Stephanie Shwiff
Research Economist at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
 
Moderator:
Celeste Connors
Associate Practitioner in Residence, Johns Hopkins SAIS
 
6:45 - 7:00 p.m.
Q&A Session
 
Time and Date
5:30 -7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
 
A reception will follow the conclusion of the event.
 
Location
Room 500, Bernstein-Offit Building
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
 
Register
The event is open to the public and media, with registration. Members of the working press can request to cover the event by selecting “Media” on the online registration form. Final media access will be confirmed at least one day prior to the event. Pre-authorized camera setup will only be permitted from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
 
Media Contacts
Stacy A. Anderson
Communications Manager
Johns Hopkins SAIS
202.663.5620 office
202.853.7983 mobile
[email protected]
 
Mark Bonthrone
Senior Communications Manager, Vice President
Swiss Re
914.828.6511 office
646.662.0212 mobile
[email protected]

About Johns Hopkins SAIS
A division of Johns Hopkins University, the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a global institution that offers students an international perspective on today’s critical issues. For nearly 75 years, Johns Hopkins SAIS has produced great leaders, thinkers, and practitioners of international relations. Public leaders and private sector executives alike seek the counsel of the faculty, whose ideas and research inform and shape policy. Johns Hopkins SAIS offers a global perspective across three campus locations: Bologna, Italy; Nanjing, China; and Washington, D.C. The school’s interdisciplinary curriculum is strongly rooted in the study of international economics, international relations, and regional studies, preparing students to address multifaceted challenges in the world today.
 
For more information, visit sais-jhu.edu or @SAISHopkins
 
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