Emma Phillips is a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Specialist in GFDRR’s Innovation Lab. She leads the strategic direction of the Understanding Risk community, manages the GFDRR Challenge Fund and provides technical assistance on risk assessment and open data activities, as well as operational support to the Africa region. During her eight years at the World Bank, she has worked in DRM in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Prior to joining the World Bank, Emma worked for Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Michael Fay at the National Geographic Society, and at the Washington Bureaus of BBC and Al Jazeera English. She holds a Master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an Honors degree in Italian Literature from the University of Cape Town. Emma speaks French, Spanish, and Italian, and is a South African citizen.