She has worked in the field of disaster management for more than 20 years, and has significant experience leading disaster recovery activities in both domestic and international contexts. Much of her disaster management experience has focused on issues related to sheltering. Her current research explores the use of case-based learning in post-secondary disaster and emergency management programs, and the development of disaster and emergency management as a profession and field of study. Her recent research also includes analysis of the use of participatory video as a tool for disaster risk reduction in Central America and post-disaster shelter issues.