Agenda

Eliot Christian is CEO of the non-profit Alert-Hub.Org CIC (Community Interest Organization). He is also a pro bono consultant to various organizations, consulting on CAP and conducting CAP training for IFRC, ITU, UNDRR and the US Agency for International Development. He leads the Filtered Alert Hub initiative on behalf of the U.S. NOAA. He is also a pro bono consultant to, and retired from, WMO. He was a chief architect of the WMO Information System and the Global Earth Observations System of Systems. Eliot is retired from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) where for many years he helped lead broad programs for environmental data sharing. Since 2001, he has been active in developing and promoting CAP, especially internationally. 

Phoebe Wafubwa Shikuku is a Disaster Risk Reduction & Forecast based Financing Advisor at IFRC. She has over eight years of experience in Climate Services. This includes Forecast based Financing, Weather and Climate Forecasting, Climate Information Services for Early Warning Early Action, Planning and Decision Making, capacity building and strengthening of stakeholders, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Programming. 

Vanessa Gray heads the ITU Development Sector (ITU-D) Environment and Emergency Telecommunications Division. In this role, she is responsible for studying needs, developing specific programs of assistance, and identifying ICT for Development opportunities. She also coordinates emergency telecommunications, developing ICT projects that provide assistance for disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Her Division is responsible as well for ITU-D programs on e‑waste and climate change adaptation. Prior to this position, Vanessa was in the ITU ICT Data and Statistics Division where she contributed to analytical publications, organized ICT‑related meetings, and delivered national and regional training on ICT statistics. Vanessa holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.

Jeanette Ellsworth is the Chief, Communications, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and ICT, at UNDRR. She is a communications professional with nearly 20 years' experience, including eleven years leading communications teams at the UN, combined with six years in broadcast journalism at the BBC and two years in a policy role at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She specializes in strategic communications and promoting the role of the media as a stakeholder in development, rather just an information vehicle.

Natalia Ilieva is Head of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Secretary General’s Office. She is responsible for strategic development, members, external relations and marketing. She began her career in Bulgarian National Television and has since worked in the media for more than 20 years, including ten years in the BBC World Service. Natalia holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa, Canada and the University of Kent, UK. Prior to her ABU role she worked at Thomson Foundation, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, Forward, and the AIBD, where she oversaw the development of Gender Guidelines for Asia-Pacific broadcasters.

Erica Allis is a Senior Programme Manager for the Global Framework for Climate Services based at the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. She leads in developing strategies and partnerships to accelerate the availability, access, and use of weather and climate services to empower countries and vulnerable communities to anticipate and manage the risks and opportunities associated with climate variability and change. Erica previously served as the Associate Director of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University. She has led research and climate action across Asia, Africa, South America and the Pacific in the agriculture/food security, water, disaster risk reduction, energy, tourism, manufacturing, and fisheries sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology/ Hydrology from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas. Earlier in her career, she worked at UNEP, SNV Nepal, and URS Corporation.