Her Story
About Deb
Deb Hendricks is a dedicated emergency management and disaster preparedness professional currently serving as Disaster Preparedness Coordinator specializing in Developmental Disabilities at the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH). In this role, she focuses on disaster planning, emergency response preparedness, and incident planning initiatives designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a career rooted in public service, communications, and community advocacy, Deb has dedicated her professional journey to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to the resources, planning tools, and support necessary to remain safe and resilient during emergencies.
Deb began her career with a degree in Mass Communication from Truman State University, originally aspiring to become a newspaper reporter. After gaining experience working for her local newspaper, she transitioned into public service as a communications specialist with the State of Missouri. Over the course of her extensive career with the state, she spent 19 years as a Public Information Officer with the Missouri Department of Social Services, including eight years supporting the Children’s Division, where she contributed to critical initiatives such as the Fatality Review Panel. She later served as the Voluntary Agency Liaison with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, focusing on emergency human services, access and functional needs, and mass care, before becoming the School Safety Academy Coordinator with the Missouri School Boards’ Association, where she developed training programs for school safety professionals.
Deb’s passion for disaster preparedness and disability advocacy is deeply personal and inspired by her son, Chance, who has Down syndrome. Recognizing that individuals with disabilities are disproportionately impacted during disasters, she has dedicated her work to creating solutions that promote preparedness, accessibility, and inclusion. She has developed disaster emergency preparedness guidebooks and disability alert cards to help individuals, families, caregivers, and emergency responders better plan for and respond to critical situations. Her leadership extends beyond her professional role through her service as President of the Central Missouri Miracle League Foundation, where she advocates for inclusive opportunities for children and youth with disabilities. Deb believes that career paths are not always a straight ladder but more like a jungle gym, encouraging young women to embrace unexpected opportunities, trust their journey, and recognize that the opportunities they encounter may lead them to where they are meant to be.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deb
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for advocacy and my commitment to creating meaningful change for individuals with disabilities. Much of my motivation comes from my son, Chance, who has Down syndrome, and from my desire to ensure that people with disabilities have the resources and support they need to be safe and prepared, especially during emergencies. Because individuals with disabilities are disproportionately impacted during disasters, I have dedicated my work to improving accessibility and preparedness by creating guidebooks and disability alert cards that empower individuals, families, and communities to plan ahead. My success is driven by purpose, compassion, and the belief that proactive solutions can help protect lives and create a more inclusive world.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my industry to remain open to opportunities, even when they do not align perfectly with their original plans. Career paths are rarely a straight ladder; they are more like a jungle gym, with unexpected turns and experiences that can lead you to the place where you are meant to be. I often share the story of the person on the roof during a flood who turned away a boat and helicopter while waiting for help from the Lord, only to discover that those very resources were the help that had been sent. The lesson is to recognize and embrace opportunities when they arise, trust the journey, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone, as those moments may open doors you never anticipated.
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