Jeff Schlegelmilch, MPH, MBA

Jeff Schlegelmilch brings over 20 years of experience in developing resilience strategies for public and private organizations globally. He has published more than 100 articles and two books on disaster research and implementation strategies and is regularly called on my media outlets for expert commentary.

He is an is an Associate Professor of Practice of Climate at the Columbia Climate School where he also leads the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, and Executive Education and Non-Degree Programs. He also served as an advisor to private sector organizations on topics related to grid resilience planning and advised leaders on preparedness systems and policy at all levels of government. He is an opinion contributor with The Hill and is frequently called upon as an expert for numerous media outlets. He is the author of the book Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to Twenty-First-Century Megadisasters and co-author of Catastrophic Incentives: Why Our Approaches To Disasters Keep Falling Short. 

Gunjan Saxena, ASA

Gunjan Saxena is a data strategist and analytics leader with over a decade of experience applying data-driven insights to complex challenges. She is a credentialed Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) with deep expertise in advanced analytics, decision science, and risk modeling.

Gunjan has a strong track record of translating complex data into actionable strategies across the healthcare and financial services sectors. In her role as Lead Decision Scientist at CVS Health / Aetna, she focuses on government healthcare analytics.

She has also contributed to disaster research through her work with Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

She is passionate about applying data and analytics to advance climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

Cesar Perez, MA

Cesar Perez is a finance professional and climate practitioner focused on translating complex global challenges into actionable, real-world solutions.

With more than two decades of experience in financial services, Cesar has worked across leading institutions including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, BBVA, Crédit Agricole, MF Global, and Scotia Capital. His background spans risk management, compliance, and operations, giving him a strong foundation in how large systems function and where they break under stress.

He later pursued a Master’s degree in Climate and Society at Columbia University to deepen his understanding of climate risk, energy systems, and the societal impacts of climate change. This transition reflects his broader mission: to help bridge the gap between financial systems and the realities of climate risk and resilience.

Cesar is the founder of Proactive Compliance Group, where he advises organizations on governance, strategy, and execution. His work today focuses on connecting capital, institutions, and practical solutions that can strengthen resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Through The Disaster Capitalist, he is part of a broader effort to rethink how resilience and adaptation can be financed, scaled, and implemented across sectors and geographies.