Resilience Roulette: Reinvest or Run – What would you do after the big one hits?
Resilience Roulette: Reinvest or Run
What would you do after the big one hits?
Thousands of coastal residents and businesses have to navigate this decision. If you are hit with a big storm, do you rebuild? Walk away? How do you balance the need to “return to normalcy” and quickly recover from a disaster with the need to build back better? How do you manage limited resources? Go it alone or pool resources in a larger, improved recovery strategy?
The Boston Green Ribbon Commission (GRC) and Harvard Business School (HBS) created a game to give you a chance to explore the tradeoffs between speed of recovery, costs to recovery, and opportunity to rebuild and invest in resiliency within the post-disaster window.
We will play this interactive game in small groups followed by a rigorous debrief to name what we learned and how we might apply that learning to the real funding challenges we face in Boston and beyond. This conversation will directly contribute to the ongoing regional effort to unlock billions in federal investment in climate resilience projects that the City of Boston and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have identified.
Forum Schedule
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Registration & Networking
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Forum
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch (optional)
Forum Agenda
Welcome & Introductions
Game Introduction
- Rebecca Herst, Associate Director and Director of Climate Resilience, Boston Green Ribbon Commission
- Carri Hulet, Principal, CH Consulting
Game – led by:
- Ona Ferguson, Senior Mediator, Consensus Building Institute (CBI)
- Aarati Halbe, Associate, CBI
Networking Break
Simulation Debrief & Discussion
- Ona Ferguson and Aarati Halbe, CBI
Perspectives from City of Boston
- Nayeli Rodriguez, Deputy Director, Office of Climate Resilience, City of Boston
Adjourn – an optional lunch open to all attendees will be held immediately following the program
Forum Co-Chairs
Janan Reilly
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Business Line Manager
Fuss & O’Neill
Julie Wormser
Chief Climate Officer
City of Cambridge
Registration Information
This workop-styled Forum will be held in-person. Registrants will only be able to participate in-person. Virtual registration & participation is not an option.
In-Person Registration
Please note that online registration for in-person attendance will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Registration Rates
EBC Member: $35
EBC Membership is corporate – all staff from our member companies can register as an EBC Member. Not sure if you’re a member? Visit our online Member Directory.
Non-members: $45
Government/Nonprofit: $15
This rate is available for those employed by Government, Municipal, or Nonprofit organizations. Not available to those in a volunteer position (e.g. Board Member of a Nonprofit).
Job Seeker Rate: $15
For recent graduates or attendees who are currently unemployed.
Student Rate: Complimentary
Students are welcome to attend free of charge. Registration must be completed with an active .edu email address.
Media: Please contact EBC at [email protected]
Fine Print
The deadline for refunds is Friday, September 18, 2026.