Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews Merline Barrington, ERM Manager for the Port Authority of NY and NJ, who will be a speaker at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023 on the morning of Friday, November 3rd. Justin and Merline discuss Merline’s career path, what her passion is, and how it led her to the Port Authority. She speaks of the benefits she gains from her CRMP certification and gives us a glimpse of what to expect from her session on November 3rd, at the RIMS ERM CCOnfer3ence 2023.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMScast. [:14] These are the final days to register for the RIMS ERM Conference 2023, in Denver, Colorado on November 2nd–3rd. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2023 and listen to this episode to hear the online-only code you can use to save 10% off your registration at checkout! [:46] About today’s episode, where we will discuss ERM and transportation with Merline Barrington of the Port Authority of NY and NJ. Merline will be a presenter at the ERM Conference 2023. [1:06] The RIMS ERM Conference 2023 will be held in Denver, Colorado on November 2nd and 3rd. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2023 to view the agenda. At checkout, if you type code 2023RIMSCAST, all one word with no spaces, you will receive 10% off your registration. [1:27] The ERM Conference 2023 will be different than years past. We’ve got some great changes. Book your travel plans now! RIMS will host a Post-conference Workshop for the RIMS CRMP from 9:00 to 4:00 MT on November 4th and 5th. Save $100 when you register for the conference and workshop in one transaction. Links are in the notes. [1:58] My guest today, Merline Barrington, is the Manager of Enterprise Risk Management for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. On November 3rd, she will be leading one of the breakout sessions at 9:00 a.m., titled “Connecting ERM to Strategy: Tackling Strategic Risks a Deep Dive at a Time.” [2:20] Merline is also a CRMP holder and a lot of fun to speak with. Let’s get started! Justin welcomes Merline Barrington to RIMScast! [2:32] Justin and Merline met last year at the RIMS ERM Conference 2022 in Indianapolis. Merline was a very excited attendee. Justin picked up on that enthusiasm and suggested Merline should submit a session. Today, they will talk about the session Merline will do for RIMS ERM Conference 2023. [3:13] Merline Barrington’s session for RIMS ERM Conference 2023 is called “Connecting ERM to Strategy: Tackling Strategic Risks a Deep Dive at a Time,” on November 3rd, kicking off the Friday morning sessions. Merlin is more excited than nervous about it! [3:34] Justin was fascinated with Merline’s position at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She is the lead for ERM. The ERM unit is a small, nimble, central group with dotted line connections up, down, and across the enterprise to areas that are indirectly or directly responsible for ERM risks to their business and objectives. [4:35] As a Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP), Merline is responsible for leading and innovatively developing an ERM program designed to proactively manage business, operational, emerging, and strategic risks to this very complex, quasi-government, bi-state organization. [4:55] The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spans several global business segments altogether valued at several billion dollars. Merline’s work includes determining the agency’s ERM framework and architecture, and integrating risk intelligence with key functions such as strategic planning and resource allocation.  [5:21] Merline also works with partners in different lines of defense, such as audit and insurance. All of this is ultimately to inform decision-making and to provide that holistic view and understanding of significant risks to executive and board-level audiences. [5:39] Merline works with various levels of the enterprise, from the most senior executive levels to the