Leadership at the California Earthquake Authority and CRMP
Janiele Maffei, S.E., is Chief Mitigation Officer for the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and one of the driving forces behind the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP), which launched in 2011. Through CRMP, she has helped secure retrofit funding for more than 38,500 California homes, significantly reducing earthquake risk in vulnerable communities. Her commitment to seismic safety was shaped by her post-Northridge earthquake research with Degenkolb Engineers, where she worked directly with homeowners and witnessed the devastating impact on homes built before modern building codes. That experience continues to inform her leadership in developing practical and scalable retrofit solutions.
Industry Recognition and Thought Leadership in Seismic Safety
Janiele is highly respected across the engineering and contractor communities and is widely recognized as a trusted voice in seismic mitigation. She has led the expansion of programs, including Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) and Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS), with additional retrofit initiatives underway, Earthquake Multi-Unit Retrofit (EMR). A sought-after speaker and thought leader throughout California, Janiele is dedicated to advancing awareness, strengthening partnerships, and expanding access to programs that help homeowners better prepare for the next major earthquake.
Watch: Janiele Maffei Demonstrates Earthquake Risks and EBB Retrofit Benefits
This short video features seismic expert Janiele Maffei, S.E., demonstrating how earthquakes can impact a typical single-family home—and what that damage can look like in real terms. Through a clear, visual explanation, she highlights why these structures are vulnerable and how the Earthquake Brace + Bolt retrofit can significantly reduce that risk. It’s a practical, easy-to-understand look at why proactive mitigation matters for protecting both your home and your investment.