Disaster Rapid
Recovery Alliance

Providing real resources to rebuild communities

Our Why

Resilient Recovery

A Strategic Plan for Community Recovery

OUR HOME ON ALTADENA DR

My partner and I helplessly watched our home burn room by room and saw so much of our neighborhood and community burn to the ground in the Eaton Fire. We understand the immense challenges we homeowners face in rebuilding our lives, especially when being underinsured or uninsured. With access to a network of dedicated builders, manufacturers, and industry leaders, we are committed to making the rebuilding process as efficient and affordable as possible for those affected.

OUR MISSION

Altadena’s future depends on decisive, immediate action.

Our mission is to restore Altadena with resilience and efficiency, ensuring every affected property owner—residential or commercial—has access to the best possible solution. For those that want to stay in our beloved community we will provide access to affordable, high-quality rebuilding opportunities. We are committed to turning loss into a learning opportunity and strengthening our community for the future.

THE UNDER-INSURED &
UN-INSURED

In Altadena, many homeowners who lost their homes in the recent wildfire are severely underinsured or completely uninsured. With construction costs far exceeding insurance payouts or available funds, rebuilding is out of reach for many families, leaving them with financial gaps.

Without intervention, entire neighborhoods could remain vacant as homeowners face impossible choices like depleting savings, taking on significant debt, or abandoning their properties. Immediate action is needed to prevent this crisis from worsening.

For most L.A. fire victims, insurance won't pay enough to rebuild

Experts say homeowners in fire-prone areas are increasingly carrying policies that may not cover the full cost of rebuilding.

Destroyed Structures in Altadena

Total: 9,418

Damaged Structures in Altadena

Total: 1,073

First, they lost their home insurance. Then, L.A. fires consumed their homes

OUR SOLUTIONS

Proven Leadership in Disaster Recovery

When it comes to rebuilding after disaster, experience, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness matter. Our team brings a proven track record in disaster recovery, including key roles in the Hurricane Sandy rebuilding efforts, where we successfully restored hundreds of homes under complex regulatory conditions.

Bulk Purchasing, Better Results for Those Under-insured

What sets us apart is our bulk purchasing power and direct manufacturer relationships, allowing us to secure high-ticket construction materials at significantly reduced costs—savings that directly benefit affected property owners. Additionally, our streamlined logistics network ensures expedited timelines, minimizing delays and maximizing impact.

Strategic Recovery, Lasting Impact

With decades of combined industry expertise, we know how to collaborate with government requirements, allocate resources effectively, and make strategic decisions that drive real results. Our approach isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about restoring communities smarter, faster, and more affordably.

Custom Homes

We have carefully discussed the ways in which we can provide assistance to those of us who are under-insured or uninsured. We have pre-existing working relationships with top prefab home builders to deliver high-quality homes within months of ordering. Through these relationships, we can offer affordable solutions for under and uninsured homeowners providing the path forward to remain in this beloved community.

Catalog Homes

Lending & Financial Aid

We have access to private financial aid and lending solutions to help uninsured property owners rebuild. By bridging funding gaps, we ensure they have the support needed to restore their properties and stay in the community.

Quality & Fire Prevention Strategy

We are relentlessly working in the background with leading earthquake- and fire-resistant home builders to ensure the highest standards of safety and durability, with a strong focus on rebuilding in a way that prevents this kind of disaster from ever happening again. Additionally, we’ve re-engaged past relationships with Australian authorities to incorporate best practices from their 2019 brush fire recovery efforts, while leveraging oversight from a former fire captain to enhance our fire prevention strategies.

Our selected builders utilize advanced technology to enhance natural materials, making ceramics highly heat-resistant and timber as strong as steel for superior durability.

Leadership

Nitti Kaur

Community Organizer & Fiduciary Advisor

After personally losing her home in Altadena, Nitti has embraced rebuilding as her mission, using her expertise to help Los Angeles rise stronger. As a community organizer, fiduciary advisor, and team leader, she is dedicated to rebuilding Altadena with a hands-on, community-focused approach. With over a decade of experience in commercial real estate and bulk material sourcing for large-scale developments, she leverages her strong manufacturer relationship —both domestically and internationally—to procure high-ticket construction materials at wholesale prices, drastically reducing costs. Additionally, she facilitates access to capital for social causes, ensuring that rebuilding efforts are both financially sustainable and community-driven. Backed by an extensive global network and strategic advisors, she is committed to helping underinsured families rebuild their homes and lives.

Dianne Widowski

Community Development Advisor

Dianne is a dedicated community developer with a deep understanding of everyday families and their needs. With a proven track record in developing high-quality, mixed-income housing, she takes a strategic yet hands-on approach to revitalization, ensuring that new developments remain accessible, functional, and aligned with the realities of the people who live there. She has successfully acquired and developed neighborhoods across the United States, playing a key role in large-scale projects that prioritize affordability and long-term sustainability. Her ability to navigate complex supply chains and understand community needs gives her a unique edge in designing housing solutions that truly serve everyday families. Through thoughtful planning and strong community engagement, she is committed to creating developments that uplift neighborhoods and provide lasting opportunities for the people who call them home.

Core Team

J. Scott Scheel

Chief Strategist

A true servant leader, Scott is committed to fostering opportunity, stability, and long-term growth in the communities he helps restore. After losing most of his immediate family in the ’90s, he embodies resilience and the power of rebuilding. A self-taught real estate expert with over 25 years of experience, he has revitalized neglected spaces across 30 states, transforming them into thriving, sustainable places. With a portfolio spanning six million square feet, he takes on challenging redevelopment projects where others hesitate. His connections to the current political administration will be invaluable to help accelerate the rebuilding process, ensuring progress moves efficiently.

Daniel Dukeman

Fire Prevention Advisor

A 20-year fire service veteran, Daniel Dukeman has served with CalFire, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Lewiston City Fire Department. His expertise in fire behavior and prevention will help implement fire-resilient construction. As COO of K9 Warrior Project, he also supports veterans and first responders, helping to eliminate PTSD ensuring safe recovery.

Olesya Smith

Disaster Recovery & Housing Specialist

With 19 years in disaster recovery and housing redevelopment, Olesya Smith played a key role in NYC’s $2.2 billion Build It Back program, rebuilding nearly 500 homes. She specializes in regulatory compliance, government coordination, and large-scale recovery, ensuring an efficient rebuilding process.

Demetre Booker Jr.

Community Redev.Strategist

As Principal Partner of Elevate Commercial, Demetre Booker Jr. has led over $250 million in workforce housing and redevelopment projects. Raised in a working-class California family, he is committed to rebuilding communities with a focus on affordability, sustainability, and long-term resilience.

Together, We Rebuild Stronger

Your Path to Recovery Starts Here

Disaster Rapid Recovery Alliance