A Speaker Who Brings Both Information and Inspiration

An engaging speaker and media guest, Sandra combines riveting stories with relevant research to entertain, enlighten and empower her audiences. Her own experience as a wildfire survivor, plus her professional expertise in emergency preparedness and resilience coaching, make her a credible, empathetic and optimistic presenter.​
Sandra’s customized messages for emergency professionals, disaster survivors, and high-risk communities begin with these popular topics:

Imagination, Partnership, Resilience:  Hear Sandra’s inspiring ruin-to-renewal story and the three big lessons of the Cedar Fire,  including Sandra's ComeBACK Formula--five powerful, commonsense practices proven to build resilience, the superpower that can transform disaster into opportunity.

How Not to Be a Fire Victim: Learn how you can better protect your property, your possessions, and the people you love against the threat of climate-driven wildfires.
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There's No Place Like Home: Why did Sandra and her husband rebuild in the same vulnerable spot after a devastating wildfire? Consider emotional and practical aspects of rebuilding after disaster and the community's role in the recovery process.
A few previous audiences
  • San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Wildfire Safety Fairs
  • Strategic Leadership in Catastrophic Events (NWCG L-580), 2014-2023
  • US Hotshots Assoc. Conference
  • Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers
  • North Dakota Emergency Managers Association
  • Manitoba Disaster Management Conference
  • Salt Lake (County) Resilience Conference
  • ​Lake County (CA) Soroptimists
  • National Association of State Foresters​​​

What Audiences Say About Sandra . . .

Real-life experience at the heart of emergency management

Sandra’s real-life experience dealing with a devastating disaster strikes at the heart of Emergency Management. She has a knack of engaging her audience in a very professional manner, which sets her apart from many of our past speakers. 
​GARRY M. JOHANSON, PAST PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA EMERGENCY MANAGERS
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A message of hope, she closed to a standing ovation

Sandra's message of hope resonated well with our audience [of wildfire survivors]. She closed to a standing ovation.  
​OLGA MARTIN STEELE, PAST PRESIDENT, SOROPTIMISTS, LAKE COUNTY, CA ​

Perceptive, passionate, with takeaway points for everyone 

Sandra was very perceptive to the audience, interested in knowing who we were before speaking, and gave us a passion-filled story with takeaway points for everyone in the room. I would recommend her to all organizations big or small for an engaging and satisfying message.  CAROLYN PETERS , PAST PRESIDENT, FAR WEST ATHLETIC TRAINERS