Seismic Risk and Adaptive Reuse: Can They Co-Exist?
Event Details
Join us for an evening reception: drinks, appetizers, networking and a focused panel discussion exploring how seismic safety and economic growth can advance together in Los Angeles. As the city continues to evolve, adaptive reuse presents a critical opportunity to unlock investment and strengthen long-term seismic resilience. This conversation brings together leaders in engineering, policy, and development to examine practical, market-driven strategies that make seismic upgrades and adaptive reuse financially viable and scalable.
MEET OUR PANELISTS
Our panelists bring together engineering, policy, advocacy, and academia, including: Dr. Sara K. McBride, who leads the California Seismic Safety Commission; Dr. Kit Miyamoto, a world-leading structural engineer and the global CEO of Miyamoto International; Nella McOsker, President & CEO of the Central City Association; Karin Liljegren is the Founder and Principal at Omgivning, and Nicolás Alberto Pascal is the founder of the UC Disaster Resilience Network.
Dr. Sara McBride – Executive Director | California Seismic Safety Commission
Dr. Sara K. McBride is a research social scientist and disaster expert serving as Executive Director of the California Seismic Safety Commission. Her background spans crisis communication, risk communication, and emergency management, built through research at the USGS and on-the-ground disaster response in New Zealand and Puerto Rico. She played a key role in the public rollout of California’s ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system.
Nella McOsker – President & CEO | Central City Association (CCA)
Nella McOsker is President & CEO of the Central City Association (CCA), a premier advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing Downtown Los Angeles’ vibrancy and increasing opportunity in the region. In this role, McOsker represents the interests of 300 businesses, trade associations and nonprofit organizations in LA County.
Dr. Kit Miyamoto – CEO | Miyamoto International & Commissioner, California Seismic Safety Commission
Dr. Kit Miyamoto is a world-leading structural engineer and expert in disaster resiliency, response, and reconstruction. As CEO of Miyamoto International and a California Seismic Safety Commissioner, he provides engineering and policy consultation to the World Bank, USAID, and UN agencies, and has guided post-earthquake recovery across dozens of countries.
Karin Liljegren, FAIA – Founder & Principal | Omgivning
Karin Liljegren, FAIA, IIDA, is the Founder and Principal of Omgivning, a Los Angeles-based architecture firm recognized for its leadership in adaptive reuse and urban revitalization. Her work focuses on transforming historic structures into vibrant, functional spaces that contribute to community growth and sustainable city development.
Nicolás Alberto Pascal – Founder | UC Disaster Resilience Network (UCDRN)
Nicolás Alberto Pascal is the Founder and Director of the UC Disaster Resilience Network, a multidisciplinary consortium mobilizing talent across the University of California system to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters. He launched UCDRN in 2021 following more than a decade of grassroots organizing, including leading the UC Haiti Initiative after the 2010 earthquake.
Alex Kolodziejczyk – Development Vice President | CIM Group
Alex Kolodziejczyk is Development Vice President at CIM Group, where he oversees real estate projects in the Los Angeles market. With roughly 15 years of experience spanning engineering and commercial real estate development, he has managed more than $152 million in development costs across 735,000 square feet and helped deliver 346 housing units. His work includes entitlement, design, permitting, and construction for both ground-up and adaptive reuse projects.