Disaster Recovery Journal Winter 2023

CAREER SPOTLIGHT

continuity consultancy journey when I started out. Under his guidance, I gained a variety of knowledge that helped me in every aspect. What are some lessons learned you still leverage today? In business continuity we tend to adopt the “expect the unexpected” mindset. After a few months without any job pros pects and feeling discouraged, I realized I have an opportunity (which felt more like diving into unchartered waters) to become a BCP consultant. Things don’t always go as you plan so you have to improvise. Being resilient means having the mental ability to recover from a setback. It speaks to how we deal with and manage disappointment, setbacks, and bounce back even stronger. Having a support net work also played an important key step in becoming more resilient.

administration and a master’s degree in leadership. I am a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), an Associate Risk Management Professional (ARMP), as well as a Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI). I also make every effort to attend industry conferences, as well as access to podcasts and webinars which are all great tools for networking and keeping abreast of new trends. I recently started reading books by industry leaders who share their experi ences and journeys. Last year, I had the opportunity to be one of the SEOC com manders for our national DEO exercise. What gets you excited about your career? When you are developing the plan with a client, and you see the light bulb going off as you highlight the risk expo sure. Business continuity planning is cru cial for their business success at all times, not just during a hurricane or pandemic. What advice would you give to those embarking on a career in this industry? The demand for business continuity professionals continues to grow with the frequency and impact of both natural and man-made crises. Those taking that brave step not only require a solid foundational skill set and educational background, but also a commitment to continuous learn ing and adaptation to the ever-evolving landscape of risks and threats. Having professional certifications, such as the CBCP or CBCI, considerably enhances your credibility and competitiveness in the industry. v planning visibility. She has led compre hensive programs within healthcare, education, and the manufacturing industry. She readily shares insight on planning awareness, recovery strategies and industry trends, through presentations, articles and thought lead ership projects. Currently, she serves as president of The Business Continuity Institute’s (BCI) USA Chapter. She is also a member of the DRJ Editorial Advisory Board. Jones’s goal is to ensure organizations recognize the value business continuity professionals provide. Lisa Jones, co-founder of the Resilience Think Tank, is a gifted communicator with more than 14 years of experience promot ing resiliency and elevating contingency

What aspects of working in this industry would you like to see change or evolve? Business continuity became a buzz word during COVID-19 vs disaster recov ery. Disaster recovery is a subset of busi ness continuity planning, where disaster recovery is the process of getting critical IT infrastructure and operations up and running following an outage. Business continuity differs in that it is the process of getting the entire business back to full functionality after a crisis. The language of disaster recovery is outdated and needs to change. What types of formal training and certifications have you pursued, and what kinds of learning and networking opportunities are you seeking to continue your professional development? I have a bachelor’s degree in business

44 DISASTER RECOVERY JOURNAL | WINTER 2023