Dr. Russel Lundberg
Russell Lundberg is an associate professor of Security Studies at Sam Houston State University whose work focuses on critical infrastructure, homeland security, and risk analysis. A former policy analyst at the RAND Corporation and former program analyst at the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, he studies how policymakers and practitioners assess and manage complex risks, including terrorism, infrastructure disruption, and other high-consequence threats. His research and teaching emphasize judgment, uncertainty, resilience, and decision support in security policy.
Securing What Texas Builds Governance, Partnerships, and the Business of Protection
Speakers
Kayed I. Lakhia
Until his retirement in 2025, Mr. Kayed Lakhia was the National Director of Dam Safety at FEMA. Previously he served as the Director of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance program and managed a national portfolio of about $10B in disaster and non-disaster grants. His leadership saw the creation of FEMA’s new BRIC-Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. He has also acted in the position of FEMA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Recovery.
Prior to his Federal Service, Mr. Lakhia was a principal at a global engineering firm. He holds a Master of Science degree from MIT, and a Masters in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has also completed post-graduate studies at Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Institute and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He is a Registered Architect, a Certified Floodplain Manager, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Mr. Lakhia is an OPM certified member of the Senior Executive Service (SES).
He is currently the Founder and President of Lakhia Collaborative, a consultancy, and is also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Sam Houston State University.
Securing What Texas Builds Governance, Partnerships, and the Business of Protection
Session Speakers
Dr. Russel Lundberg
Russell Lundberg is an associate professor of Security Studies at Sam Houston State University whose work focuses on critical infrastructure, homeland security, and risk analysis. A former policy analyst at the RAND Corporation and former program analyst at the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, he studies how policymakers and practitioners assess and manage complex risks, including terrorism, infrastructure disruption, and other high-consequence threats. His research and teaching emphasize judgment, uncertainty, resilience, and decision support in security policy.
Kayed I. Lakhia
Until his retirement in 2025, Mr. Kayed Lakhia was the National Director of Dam Safety at FEMA. Previously he served as the Director of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance program and managed a national portfolio of about $10B in disaster and non-disaster grants. His leadership saw the creation of FEMA’s new BRIC-Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. He has also acted in the position of FEMA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Recovery.
Prior to his Federal Service, Mr. Lakhia was a principal at a global engineering firm. He holds a Master of Science degree from MIT, and a Masters in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has also completed post-graduate studies at Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Institute and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He is a Registered Architect, a Certified Floodplain Manager, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Mr. Lakhia is an OPM certified member of the Senior Executive Service (SES).
He is currently the Founder and President of Lakhia Collaborative, a consultancy, and is also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Sam Houston State University.
An MIT SLOAN Certified Executive Advisor in Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Nadia has over two decades of international experience leading innovative technology initiatives in various sectors, internationally for global corporations and governmental organizations in several countries in Europe and the USA.
Nadia is the author of “Leveraging Digital Transformation”, a reference book on leading digital innovation initiatives. She earned various degrees in computer science and business management including, a Bachelor and an MBA from UBI, with a specialization in IT Management. She also holds two MIT Sloan Executive Education Certificates, respectively in Strategy and Innovation and in Management and Leadership. Mrs. Vincent speaks French, English and Spanish.