Note to readers: For more than a decade I’ve used this platform provided by the Center of Excellence for Homeland Security /Emergency Management to discuss issues of import to the emergency management profession. In upcoming blogs I intend to emphasize two government initiatives that local and even state governments can undertake, absent a coherent federal policy regarding disaster management. The first of these focuses on public preparedness.

“A Salute to Women in Leadership 2026“

By Jim Mullen

Leadership does not always mean being the person nominally in charge. I have seen leadership emerge from the lowest paid employee (too often, sadly, women) and from the middle ranks as well as in more lofty, high-profile positions: leadership can emerge from anywhere in an organization.

My professional career was varied: I began as a student financial aid director, later serving the Illinois governor as an ombudsman for 16 counties. In Seattle, I’ve worked in a criminal justice think tank, been a budget analyst, directed a division advocating for low-income neighborhoods all prior to becoming an emergency management director at both the city of Seattle and the State of Washington. And I had the honor of being president of the National Emergency Management Association. In each role, I’ve benefitted markedly from the presence of women: those for whom I worked, those I worked alongside, and those I supervised.

In January 2018 in “A Point of Personal Privilege” I devoted my blog to recognize and acknowledge outstanding women that I was privileged to encounter in my more than thirty years in government – not to mention a short 3-year stint at a private college in Illinois as a Student Financial Aid director. And I omitted at least one from that list from the city of Seattle – Elizabeth Mash, who ably assisted LuAn Johnson in her earthquake preparedness program.

The “Women in Leadership” conference in May sponsored by the Center of Excellence of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offers an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of women in government positions, and their rise (albeit painfully slow) to prominence as decision makers has enhanced our respective work environments, while there remain those who fear being “replaced” by “less-worthy” personnel” (i.e., women!). It must be noted: some still long to return to a time when only one gender could aspire and achieve goals commensurate with talents. They can be found in government, industry and yes, even in pulpits seeking a “return” to those “halcyon days “(their view) when our society struggled along using about half the talent we require to succeed.

Men clearly are not the sole problem here: women in influential positions can also adhere to the old ways, seeking to preserve their personal standing. I recall arguing with a female human resource director when I attempted to promote a woman to a supervisory position –HR’s argument was that we should promote a less experienced male who was a former soldier – I won out because my preferred choice also had been a soldier!

In closing, allow me to extend my gratitude to Linda Crerar, Kellie Hale, Jasmine May, Nancy Aird and Kyle Winslow for their support in providing me with this platform for “Emergency Management Once Removed!” It is much appreciated – your support was indispensable.

My time to influence – well, much of anything – has passed for the most part, but conference attendees should resolve to stay the course, seek out allies and elevate all who perform with grace, skill and integrity. And to those that propped me up, noted way back in January 2018, and again today, thanks once again!