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Before, During, and After Disasters
Deanne Criswell
First Female Administrator of FEMA (2021-2025), National Leader in Emergency Management & Disaster
- FEMA’s first female Administrator who shares firsthand insights on leading through uncertainty, making tough decisions, and managing large-scale disasters
- Delivers strategies for effective leadership, mitigating risks, strengthening crisis response, and building long-term resilience
- Captivates audiences with compelling stories and crisis management insights from decades of experience leading through local and national emergencies
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Deanne Criswell is a nationally recognized leader in emergency management, disaster response, and crisis preparedness, with over 30 years of experience at the local, state, and federal levels. As the 12th Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the first woman to hold the position, she has led the nation’s response to some of the most complex disasters in modern history. Deanne delivers expert insights on disaster resilience, crisis leadership, and the future of emergency preparedness, offering insights shaped by decades of frontline experience.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, she gives a firsthand look at what it takes to lead in high-pressure environments, make rapid decisions in moments of crisis, and build large-scale resilience. From managing large-scale public health crises to addressing the increasing risks of climate-related disasters, she brings unparalleled expertise in coordinating emergency response efforts across government agencies and communities. Her talks provide actionable strategies on preparedness, risk mitigation, and effective crisis response, tailored for leaders across industries facing complex challenges in an unpredictable world.
Before leading FEMA, Deanne served as the Commissioner of New York City Emergency Management, where she oversaw the city’s response to major disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events. Prior to that, she was the Emergency Manager for the City of Aurora, Colorado, strengthening the city's disaster response capabilities. Her earlier tenure at FEMA included key leadership roles in federal disaster coordination, and she also spent over 20 years serving in the Colorado Air National Guard, where she gained invaluable experience in military crisis management.
As FEMA Administrator, Deanne has championed efforts to make disaster response more equitable, enhance climate resilience, and improve coordination with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Her leadership has shaped national policy on emergency management, reinforcing the importance of preparedness, collaboration, and innovation in disaster response.
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Technology and Emergency Preparedness
Beyond the Go Bag: Building Resilience in an Unpredictable World. The days of simply packing an emergency go bag are behind us—today’s world demands a deeper approach to preparedness. As FEMA Administrator, Deanne Criswell has been on the front lines of disaster response, overseeing efforts to protect communities, businesses, and the nation from both environmental and geopolitical threats. In this talk, she challenges audiences to think beyond short-term preparedness and instead focus on long-term resilience. She provides actionable strategies to build personal, community, environmental, and organizational resilience. Weaving in real-world lessons from leading disaster recovery efforts across the country, Deanne prepares leaders with strategies that position them to withstand and emerge stronger from any crisis.
Crisis Leadership: Resilience, Decision-Making, and Impact. Effective leadership in times of crisis requires more than authority—it demands emotional intelligence, collaboration, and the ability to make decisive, high-stakes decisions under pressure. As the first female FEMA Administrator, Deanne Criswell has led national disaster response efforts, managed large-scale emergencies, and coordinated complex recovery operations, providing her with unparalleled insight into what it takes to lead through uncertainty. In this talk, she shares the key leadership principles that drive successful crisis management, from listening to vulnerable communities to building diverse, resilient teams that can respond to any challenge.
She highlights four key takeaways for leaders:
- Leadership is Listening – True leadership is about amplifying the voices of those most affected and ensuring their needs are met.
- Resilience is Power – Crisis leadership requires the ability to adapt, push forward, and make difficult decisions under pressure.
- Collaboration is Strength – The most effective crisis responses come from diverse teams working together to create stronger, more inclusive solutions.
- Mentorship Matters – Lifting others up ensures future generations have the support they need to thrive in leadership roles.
Deanne offers firsthand stories from the front lines of emergency management, illustrating how preparation, adaptability, and strategic thinking can turn chaos into coordinated action.
Connective Leadership: Orchestrating Emergency Response Across Organizations. Meta-leadership is a framework that enables leaders to rise above operational silos, connect across organizations, and inspire cohesive action in complex situations. Deanne has applied the principles of meta-leadership throughout her career, from coordinating emergency response efforts in New York City during COVID-19 to overseeing national disaster operations at FEMA. In this presentation, she shares how meta-leadership was essential in crisis management and how to apply the concepts across industries. She provides real-world insights from military operations, urban disaster response, and federal leadership, illustrating how these strategies drive teamwork, especially under intense pressures.
From the National Guard to National Leadership. Great leaders are forged through experience, resilience, and a commitment to service. For those who have served in the National Guard, the foundation for leadership is already set, built on principles of integrity, courage, duty, teamwork, and adaptability. Deanne Criswell’s journey from the Colorado Air National Guard to becoming a Senate-confirmed FEMA Administrator is a testament to how military experience shapes leaders who can rise to the highest levels of government. She shares how the skills developed in uniform—strategic thinking, crisis management, and leading under pressure—translate directly into success in public service and beyond.
