News Releases

Meta-Leadership Summit Fosters Cross-Sector Emergency Preparedness

In March, Northeast Ohio business, government and nonprofit leaders had the opportunity to participate in a national initiative intended to promote cross-sector collaboration and community preparedness in the event of an emergency.  The Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness is an initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard School of Public Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and provides a forum for “C-level” executives to work together and plan for the worst before a crisis strikes.  As one of the hosts, The Center for Health Affairs provided input to the Summit planners and ensured member organization executives had the opportunity to attend. 

The Summit is based on a custom curriculum created by Harvard University faculty, which prepares Summit participants to serve as leaders during a disaster.  Attendees learn through exercises, case studies and didactic instruction.  Opportunities for networking, which can create organizational connections that might otherwise not be made, are also a critical component of the event.