From that work, three core themes emerged as critical to success:

• Resilience Planning – anticipating and mitigating climate and operational risks before they become crises
• Policy & Regulatory Reform – creating conditions for faster, more effective project delivery
• Empowering Communities & Leaders – ensuring equitable access to infrastructure benefits and fostering long-term stewardship

These themes will anchor the session, supported by practical frameworks, technology-enabled solutions, and policy strategies to help local governments translate resilience principles into measurable infrastructure outcomes.

Keynote: Mayor Kate Gallego, City of Phoenix

Phoenix is setting a national standard for municipal climate resilience, becoming the first U.S. city with a publicly funded Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, developing heat-ready infrastructure standards, and integrating equity, data, and technology into infrastructure planning and delivery.
Mayor Gallego’s leadership, from climate-smart water reuse to green stormwater systems, demonstrates how municipalities can respond decisively to climate threats while strengthening infrastructure systems and protecting communities.

Fireside Chat: Digital Resilience Lessons from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Alongside Mayor Gallego, the conversation will feature Sadia Janjua, Chief of Digital Transformation at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Port Authority manages some of the most complex transportation and trade infrastructure in the United States, and under Sadia’s leadership, it has advanced a digital approach to resilience, leveraging data integration, predictive analytics, and digital twin technology to strengthen operational readiness and adapt to evolving climate risks.

This on-the-ground perspective from one of the country’s most critical infrastructure operators will complement the policy and community-focused insights, giving attendees a richer picture of how technology can drive resilience across different asset types and governance models.