Emergency Management Specialist
City of Mississauga
Larissa is an Emergency Management Specialist with the City of Mississauga (Ontario, Canada) where she leads initiatives in public education, community engagement, and resilience-building. With a Master of Science degree, her research, titled “From Crisis to Community” focused on the role of informal local leadership in vulnerable communities, shaping her commitment to fostering resilience from the ground up. Larissa's experience includes many significant incidents, including managing the recent 2024 flooding events in Mississauga, supporting in the EOC for the 2026 World Cup, and she also facilitates and teaches the Incident Management System, equipping teams with the skills to respond effectively in emergencies. Having experienced the devastation of a house fire during the pandemic, Larissa transformed this personal tragedy into a powerful message about the importance of community in times of crisis. Her community-driven work has earned recognition as one of York University's Top 30 Under 30 Alumni. Passionate about strengthening social capital and emergency preparedness, Larissa is dedicated to building more resilient communities through collaboration and meaningful engagement.
Beyond Preparedness: Rethinking Public Education and Community Engagement
Thursday, October 8, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST