About Us

The International Center for Enterprise Preparedness is the world’s first major academic center dedicated to private sector crisis management and business continuity. Businesses and other private sector organizations set the initial mission of the Center and remain engaged on an ongoing basis in its evolution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided the core funding for this initiative to create a truly international resource for education and research in this vital area.

Post September 11th, businesses and other private sector organizations have increasingly acknowledged the need for organization-wide emergency management and business continuity programs. In the United States alone, this need has been validated well beyond the terrorist threat by recent events including devastating hurricanes in America’s southwest, the blackout of the Northeast, tornadoes throughout the Midwest and wildfires in the Southwest. Corporate preparedness can mitigate the impact of emergencies on both people and property. Ultimately, preparedness or the lack of it, can determine the ongoing viability of a firm.

All of these support the need for an “all hazards” approach to emergency management and business continuity. Clearly, corporate preparedness can mitigate the impact of emergencies on both people and property. Ultimately, preparedness, or the lack of it, can determine the ongoing viability of a firm.

Furthermore, since in the U.S. businesses and other private sector organizations own 85% of America’s critical infrastructure and employ the vast majority of the country’s employees, the private sector cannot be ignored in governmental planning for emergencies. Public-private communication and cooperation in emergency management is an important focus for Center activity.

Private enterprise can be a tremendously effective and innovative force when properly engaged, motivated and informed. The Center is committed to advancing private sector readiness through integration of its efforts with corporate, governmental and other organizational stakeholders.

Senior Staff

William G. Raisch
Executive Director
william.raisch@nyu.edu

Matt Statler
Associate Director
matt.statler@nyu.edu

Margaret Della
Project Associate
margaret.della@nyu.edu