As more frequent disasters destroy more properties, insurance payouts and premiums have skyrocketed. Certain properties have become uninsurable. Some homeowners are buying for cash because the costs of traditional insurance have become too high. Others are buying new types of unregulated insurance that may or may not pay out in the end. When this is paired with the housing crisis the issues become complex and untenable. Join us for a panel exploring the many ways that insurability impacts how we plan as we look for solutions to the ongoing climate and housing crises.
Speakers:
Laurie Schoeman, Chief Investment and Impact Officer, Partners for the Common Good
Paul Lozito, AICP, President of the American Planning Association, NY Metro
Serena Sowers, Senior Vice President, Marsh
Talley Burley, Manager, Climate Risk and Insurance, Environmental Defense Fund
Moderator:
Klaus Jacob, Research Professor Emeritus, Lamont-Dougherty Earth Institute, Columbia University
About the Speakers:
Laurie Schoeman is a dynamic leader with deep expertise in housing policy, finance, and climate resilience. As the Chief Investment and Impact Officer at Partners for the Common Good, Schoeman drives strategic growth, leads capitalization efforts, and spearheads initiatives that align public and private capital to create scalable, high-impact solutions to foster thriving and sustainable communities. Previously, Schoeman served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the White House, where she was instrumental in advancing the President’s housing and climate agenda. She led efforts that increased housing production by 17%, secured billions in funding for sustainable development, and developed the nation’s first Climate Resilience Framework—enhancing investment strategies to reduce physical climate risks nationwide. Schoeman’s deep expertise in structuring complex financial deals, integrating climate risk into investment strategies, and fostering investor relations has shaped national policies and driven impactful change. In leadership roles at Enterprise Community Partners, she helped secure multimillion-dollar investments, influenced key climate legislation, and championed innovative approaches to climate-smart housing.
Paul Lozito is a long-time active member of the APA and is currently president of the NY Metro Chapter. He is currently the Deputy Executive Director in the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. He has worked in the field of planning for climate change in various positions in the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery dealing with Housing issues and climate change.
Serena Sowers is a senior risk advisor and insurance professional, with experience spanning across management consulting, banking, and insurance. Sowers supports communities and corporates navigate complex problems and advises them on protecting tax payers and the balance sheet from emerging risks. Sowers has served as a climate advisor, helping build strong and resilient communities through insurance as a critical tool. Sowers has a specific expertise in alternative risk solutions to leverage financing, parametric insurance, and structured solutions to help organizations address impacts of climate change.
Talley Burley is the Manager, Climate Risk and Insurance at Environmental Defense Fund. Her experience focuses on disaster resilience, housing resilience and financial resilience research and policy to ensure people have access to affordable financial resources that support sustainable and resilient outcomes. Prior to joining EDF, she spent 8.5 years in NYC government working for the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations (HRO). She holds a B.A. in Political Science from American University and a Master’s in Urban Planning from New York University.
Dr. Klaus Jacob is a geophysicist and Research Professor Emeritus at Columbia’s Climate School. He carried out seismic research for 44 years at Columbia’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory. He cofounded the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). His research for the last 25years focused on climate change adaptation, and the impacts of sea level rise and storm surges on NY&C and other megacities. He served for 11 years on NYC’s Panel on Climate Change (NPPC) and developed adaptation plans for the MTA and other organizations.
AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee
