The Road to Recovery: Rebuilding Communities After Wildfires

The Center for California Real Estate (CCRE), an institute of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, presents “The Road to Recovery: Rebuilding Communities After Wildfires,” a virtual panel taking place on Wednesday, March 26, 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. This timely discussion brings together leading experts to explore the critical challenges and opportunities of rebuilding after Southern California’s devastating wildfires.

Panelists will discuss innovative strategies for recovery including fire-resistant construction, efforts tailored to address diverse community needs, and forward-thinking development approaches. With thousands of families displaced and communities working to rebuild stronger than before, this panel will provide actionable insights, lessons learned, and groundbreaking solutions to address the immediate and long-term needs of fire-impacted areas.

Moderator:

William Fulton

Professor of Practice

UC San Diego Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Fulton, FAICP, is editor and publisher of California Planning & Development Report and author of Guide to California Planning, the standard textbook on planning in California. In his career, Fulton has been Mayor of Ventura, Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of San Diego, and Principal at the urban planning consulting firm now known as Placeworks. These days, he also writes the Future Of Where Substack newsletter and serves as a Senior Advisor to PFM Consulting Group, working with local governments across the country. He holds master’s degrees in mass communication from American University in Washington, D.C., and Urban Planning from UCLA.

Panelists:

Laurie C. Fisher

Co-Founder & CEO

PHNX Development

With more than 25 years of experience in the United States and abroad, Fisher’s award-winning designs have garnered recognition in print and throughout the design/construction industry. Certified by the State of California in Crisis Intervention since 2014, she utilized her training in Trauma Informed Care to develop a design process that is sensitive to the unique needs of wildfire survivors. After working with fire survivors to rebuild their homes, Fisher saw and experienced first-hand the many challenges and obstacles that these resilient people face and became determined to create a process that is sensitive to their needs, and treats survivors with dignity and respect.

Martin Muoto

Founder & CEO

SoLa Impact

Muoto leads SoLa Impact, the largest private developer of affordable and workforce housing in communities of color in California. SoLa’s social impact mission and proven track record have allowed it to deploy over $1 billion and develop over 3,000 units in Los Angeles and across Southern California. SoLa Impact was ranked as the 7th fastest-growing minority-led private company on Inc. Magazine’s Inc 500 list and has become widely recognized as an innovator and disruptor in affordable housing. SoLa’s double-bottom line strategy is broadened by its nonprofit affiliate, The SoLa Foundation which provides access to education, scholarships, and pathways to homeownership for residents in low-income communities. SoLa’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Center introduces Black and brown young people to careers in tech and has received numerous awards including the “World Changing Ideas of 2023” by Fast Company and was named the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year. Muoto’s vision, combined with his leadership as a social impact entrepreneur, has led to him being featured in Forbes, Black Enterprise, the Wall Street Journal, the NY Times, Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, and other leading publications. He was previously in private equity at General Atlantic Partners and a partner at Accretive Partners in New York. He graduated with Honors from the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania.