Meet Ben Smilowitz, Disaster Accountability Project

Our this week's speaker, Ben Smilowitz, will focus on opportunities for impact: accountability and transparency in the opaque world of disaster relief and humanitarian aid. 

Ben launched Disaster Accountability Project, an independent watchdog, to confront root causes of the failed Katrina response and improve disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Over the last 15 years, DAP has successfully advocated for the release of millions of dollars of aid funds, investigated deficiencies in emergency planning, and improved the transparency of nearly $2 billion of post-disaster donations. DAP's advocacy and op-eds have been covered by global news media and its successes are attributable to the work of hundreds of volunteers. Ben received an Echoing Green fellowship soon after founding DAP and has an extensive background in issue advocacy, innovation, and civic engagement. Ben is a member of the Maryland Bar and has visited nearly 50 countries in his quests to better understand the world, find the best vegetarian food, and optimize air miles.