2025 CivicWell Policymakers Conference

Resilience In Action

At the 33rd annual CivicWell Policymakers Conference, we will examine how coalitions can form across sectors, jurisdictions, and political divides to address some of the greatest challenges facing California communities. 

This year’s program will focus on actions we can take to build more resilient communities: how to build consensus around policies, lead effectively to overcome adversity, gain support for tools and strategies, and work collectively to realize a shared vision. The agenda will also offer time for attendees to meet regionally to lay the groundwork for these collaborations to continue beyond the conference.

The conference will take place from Thursday evening, March 13th to Saturday evening, March 15th. All conference sessions will be held in the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

The below agenda is tentative and subject to change at any time. More speakers will be added as they are confirmed.

Thursday, March 13

6:00 – 7:30 pm
Registration

6:30 – 7:30 pm
Welcome Reception

7:30 – 8:00 pm
Opening Remarks

8:00 – 9:00 pm
California Wildfire Response, Recovery, and Resilience

• Rick Cole, Councilmember, City of Pasadena
• Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve
• Addison Winslow, Councilmember, City of Chico
• Moderator: Wendy Root Askew, Supervisor, County of Monterey

Friday, March 14

8:30 – 9:30 am
Breakfast

9:30 – 11:00 am
Insights from Federal Agency Leaders on the Next Four Years 

• Martha Guzman, Former US EPA Regional Administrator, Region 9
• Justin Ángel Knighten, Former Associate Administrator, Office of External Affairs, FEMA
• Moderator: Josh Brock, Vice President of CCA Commercial Operations, Calpine Community Energy

11:00 – 11:15 am
Coffee Break

11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Forward-Looking State and Local Collaboration

• Abby Edwards, Acting Executive Director of Planning and Policy, Climate and Planning Deputy Director, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
• Sean Kennedy, Ph.D., Deputy Director of Energy Investments, California Strategic Growth Council
• Moderator: Angie Hacker, CEO, Prosper Sustainably; Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, California Climate and Energy Collaborative

12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch / Networking

1:30 – 7:00 pm
Break
Participants free for dinner on their own

7:15 – 7:45 pm
Keynote Speaker: Toni Atkins, former President pro Tempore, California State Senate

7:45 – 9:00 pm
Regional Roundtables 

• Angie Hacker, CEO, Prosper Sustainably; Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, California Climate and Energy Collaborative
• Michael McCormick, Founder and President, Farallon Strategies
• Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve

Saturday, March 15

8:00 – 9:00 am
Breakfast

8:45 – 9:05 am
Energizer with Carl Guardino

9:05 – 10:20 am
Fortifying the Future: Actions for Safeguarding Housing and Wildlands Amid Wildfire Risk and Insurance Uncertainty

• Erik de Kok, Director of Interdisciplinary Planning, Ascent
• Dave Jones, Director of the Climate Risk Initiative, UC Berkeley School of Law’s Center on Law, Energy and Environment (CLEE)
• Moderator: Heidi Hall, Supervisor, County of Nevada

10:20 – 10:45
Coffee Break

10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Water Innovation in Action: Lessons from Pioneering Local Initiatives

• Stephanie Anagnoson, Director of Water and Natural Resources, County of Madera
• Gustavo Camacho, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Pico Rivera
• Julie Rentner, President, River Partners
• Moderator: Grace Person, Principal, CeresCollab

12:00 – 12:30 pm
Keynote Speaker: Betty Yee, Former California State Controller

12:30 – 5:30 pm
Break
Participants free for lunch on their own

5:30 – 7:00 pm
Dinner / Networking

7:00 – 7:30 pm
Keynote Speaker: Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for California Natural Resources

7:30 – 9:00 pm
Affordability In a Green Economy

• Nuin-Tara Key, Executive Director of Programs, California Forward
• Jason Moody, Managing Principal, Economic & Planning Systems
• Dave Tamayo, Board Director, SMUD
• Moderator: Bernadette Austin, CEO, CivicWell

Register today to join the conference!

This conference is for elected officials only. If you are not an elected official but would like to attend, we invite you to explore our sponsorship opportunities below.

Become a CivicWell Member 

CivicWell members receive $100 off the conference registration rate — consider joining our membership network today! CivicWell members receive event discounts, webinars with case studies on climate resilience and capacity-building projects, resources, legislative updates, and more.

If you are a current member, you will have received a discount code via email.

Registration Rates

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Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available. If you would like to request a scholarship, contact Heather Killion.

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Cancellation Policy

Registrations may be canceled up until February 24, 2025. The cancellation fee is $100.

In lieu of cancellation, registration may be transferred to another elected official at any time before March 6, 2025 free of charge by contacting hkillion@civicwell.org. After March 6, no refunds will be offered.

UPDATE: Lodging is extremely limited at Yosemite National Park. If you are having trouble finding a room, please contact Heather Killion at hkillion@civicwell.org.

The 2025 CivicWell Policymakers Conference will be held at the Yosemite Valley Lodge in Yosemite National Park.

A limited number of rooms are available at a discounted rate using our group code 15E749 at both the Yosemite Valley Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel. Our group rate for the Yosemite Valley Lodge is $297/night, and $604/night for the Ahwahnee Hotel. Book soon, as these will sell out!

If you would like to reserve a room, visit travelyosemite.com or contact the hotel’s reservations office at 888-413-8869 option 1 and reserve a room from our block using the group code 15E749. You can find detailed instructions here.

The CivicWell Policymakers Conference is an excellent opportunity for sponsors to build meaningful relationships with local policymakers, highlight and deepen your commitment to sustainable communities, and raise your profile with community resilience leaders.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, view the Sponsorship Brochure and contact Haley Ausserer-Zelaya for information.

Download the Sponsorship Brochure

For questions about registration and logistics, please contact:
Heather Killion
(916) 448-1198  x303
hkillion@civicwell.org

For questions about sponsorship or the program, please contact:
Haley Ausserer-Zelaya
hazelaya@civicwell.org