EERI is excited to announce a new leadership training opportunity for members. The EERI George W. Housner Leadership Certificate Program is the next evolution of the highly successful Housner Fellows Leadership Program, which for over a decade has trained early- to mid-career professionals to become leaders in earthquake risk reduction. Building on this proven foundation, the Certificate Program will prepare mid-career professionals (10–20 years into their careers) to take on advanced leadership roles, drive strategic projects, and influence policy for earthquake safety and mitigation. This program is designed for professionals across all earthquake risk reduction fields, including engineering, seismology, geotechnical, emergency management, public policy, social sciences, and community engagement.
Upon completion of the one-year training program, each EERI Housner Leadership program participant will have met the following objectives:
- Demonstrate knowledge of seismic safety issues, including an understanding of the holistic view of issues facing communities, the multidisciplinary nature of earthquake risk reduction and how earthquake hazard and risk considerations fit into public policy.
- Demonstrate advocacy knowledge and skills needed to promote and advocate for seismic safety, including knowledge regarding opportunities, limitations and mechanisms related to seismic safety public policy.
- Demonstrate skills to be a leader in motivating change and activating others in a collaborative environment, including the ability to identify and attract technical and financial resources, and the ability to adapt leadership styles to the needs of different audiences.
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
Program Structure
- One-Year Hybrid Curriculum: Monthly 2–4-hour webinars led by Dr. Lucy Arendt, lead Housner Fellows trainer since the program’s inception, graduates from the Housner Fellows program, and other EERI leaders, supplemented by small-group online discussions and pre-reading assignments.
- Learning Circles. Each participant will be a member of an assigned small group (4-6 members) that will meet online each month to discuss the program webinar, share their leadership logs, and provide feedback to one another on these logs as well as each individual’s applied leadership project (see below)
- In-Person Mini-Retreat: A 1–2-day leadership intensive gathering at the 13th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (July 2026).
- Applied Leadership Project: Each participant will design and implement a work- or community-based project addressing earthquake risk reduction, documented in monthly leadership logs that will be shared for feedback with their Learning Circle.
- Capstone Presentations: Month 12 culminates with participant project presentations to the full EERI membership via webinar.
- Continuous Reflection: Monthly participant logs will capture leadership growth, project progress, and plans for continued impact.
Certificate Requirements
- Must attend 10 of 12 monthly webinars (recordings will be available)
- In-person meeting retreat
- Leadership Project
Core Topics
- Organizational Priorities & Strategic Projects
- EERI Priorities & Projects
- Servant & Values-Based Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Leading with Humor
- Authentic Confidence
- Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders
- Leading Diverse Teams & Peers
- Leading and Working with Diverse Teams
- Leading Peers
- Leading Volunteers
- Leadership Transitions & Growth
- Transitioning From Being a “Producer” to “Leader”
- Curating a Career
- Succession Planning
- Communication & Influence Skills
- Crucial Conversations
- Listening, Receiving, and Giving Feedback
- Powerful Presenting / Public Speaking / Voice Training
- Strategic, Creative & Critical Thinking
- Creative, Critical, and Strategic Thinking
- Leading Where There is No Precedent (e.g., climate change)
- Emotional Intelligence & Self-Management
- Emotional Intelligence
- Avoiding Burnout
- Work-Life Balance, including Volunteering
- Change Leadership
- Navigating Change
- Dynamics of Group Discussion and Decision-Making
- Creating Impact & Advocacy
- Creating Impact
- Public Policy Advocacy
- Advocacy and Public Interest Communications (including about risk)
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Connecting with Needed Resources
Application Materials (tentative)
- Resume (2 pages max)
- Statement of Interest
Selection Criteria
- Mid-career (at least 10 years of experience)
- EERI member
- Attendance at 13NCEE. Participation in the full conference is encouraged.
Program Costs
- Estimated Registration Fee: $150
- Program participants will be responsible for all costs associated with attending the in-person session at 13NCEE (registration, travel, etc.)
- Course materials: up to $100
- Expected time commitment: up to 10 hours per month
Important Dates
- Application open: January 2026
- Application close: February 2026
- Program Dates: April 2026 - March 2027
- In-Person mini retreat: July 2026
Acknowledgements
The development of this leadership program is made possible with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
