Her Story
About Charlee
I had no clue emergency management existed when somebody reached out suggesting a big girl job. I applied and got hired as a telecommunicator doing dispatch for 5 years. During COVID I was promoted to Infrastructure Branch Director coordinating roadways, power, and waterways during disasters. After that I handled mutual aid activating agencies for state missions like tornadoes and flooding for 2 years before being promoted to handle EMAC out-of-state deployments, including sending resources for Helene and Milton. I enjoy the work because I am married to a police officer and get to help deploy assets to save people even from behind a desk. Completing over 150 FEMA courses and the Basic and Advanced Academies has been key to my growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Charlee
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from a combination of hard work, resilience, and commitment. I focus on staying organized, maintaining a positive attitude, adapting to challenges with professionalism and determination, building strong relationships, and effective communication. The support of those around me has been crucial, especially being promoted during COVID and trusted with mutual aid responsibilities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was to focus on being dependable and showing up prepared. Success follows when you demonstrate integrity and give your best effort in every situation. This taught me the importance of building trust, embracing learning, and treating every opportunity as a chance to grow, leading to strong relationships and personal fulfillment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering emergency management is to be confident in your abilities, remain committed to learning from courses and mentors, and never underestimate the value of building strong professional relationships. Emergency management requires resilience, adaptability, and strong communication. Seek out mentors, take advantage of training and leadership opportunities, speak up and share ideas, and stay focused on serving and protecting your community.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, integrity, service, resilience, and compassion are most important. As an emergency manager and police wife and mother, I am committed to serving my community, making ethical decisions, staying calm under pressure, leading with empathy, and putting people first whether at work or at home.
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