OCS Conference Funding Submission

Event Photo:

Session on third party risk management

Name: Maoz Lauber

Degree Program: MPA IN PUBLIC & NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & POLICY

Specialization: PNP-Management & Leadership

Conference Host Organization/Institution: Disaster Recovery Journal

Conference/Competition Name: DRJ (Disaster Recovery Journal) Spring 2021 Virtual Conference

Conference Term: Spring Conference Start Date: 2021-03-29 Conference End Date: 2021-04-01

What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
I participated in sessions relating business continuity and risk management to other aspects of management, be it talent development, supplier management, or others, and in those sessions I heard from speakers within the specialization or in executive positions on how incorporating best practices helped their organizations survive through the pandemic. My key takeaway is that the field of business continuity is emerging from being a small corporate specialization to becoming an integral part of any private, public, or nonprofit enterprise, as Project Management and DEI have become in previous years.

How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
Participation in the conference helped me better understand the current and upcoming challenges of organizations in dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and building more resilience enterprises. As an aspiring organizational leader, I would want to incorporate some of the lessons and ideas I was exposed to in the conference in incorporating business continuity principles to the strategic and day-to-day operations of public organizations. Connecting with practitioners and hearing from leaders in the field has also helped me extending my network and understanding of the landscape of the field as a whole.

What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
I was inspired to pursue an early career certification to formalize my training and interest in Business Continuity and try and gain experience by practicing in the field as a main objective or as an added responsibility in a large nonprofit organization. I was inspired to explore more the potential of organizations to improve their results and impact through combining elements of business continuity into their strategy and operations.

What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?
I suggest pursuing as many sessions and skill-building workshop as possible - you do not usually get so many experts with different perspectives and experiences in one room.
I will also advise students to reach out to speakers that work in interesting or unique fields and roles, and ask about their journey. Understanding different possible career paths can make your vision for your career clearer.

Wagner Areas of Impact: Finance, Government, Inequality, Race, and Poverty, Leadership, Nonprofits