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 Lori Hodges has thirty years of experience at both the state and local levels in the emergency services and emergency management fields. Her education includes a PhD in Business Administration from Capella, a Master’s Degree in Defense Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and a Master’s Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the UC at Denver. Lori Hodges currently works as the Director of Emergency Management for Larimer County in Northern Colorado. 

 Merrie Garner is the Emergency Management Director for the Carbon Valley Emergency Management Agency, serving the communities of Firestone, Frederick, and Dacono, CO. Merrie is an experienced emergency manager with expertise in planning, organizational design, community-based preparedness, EOC management, and community recovery. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music and business (1997) and a master’s degree in organizational leadership (2024). She is at her best when solving complex problems creatively, building relationships and connections, and finding ways to make systems work better. 

 Faith Odiete is a dedicated Emergency Management and Military Intelligence professional currently serving as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army. In her role, she provides leadership in intelligence operations, risk awareness, and mission readiness, supporting efforts that strengthen organizational preparedness and operational effectiveness. Faith also works as a Senior Compliance Analyst at State Street, where she supports regulatory compliance, internal controls, and the development of audit-ready processes that uphold organizational integrity. Her professional focus bridges risk management, strategic oversight, and ethical governance. She holds a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Strategic Management. Her academic work explores organizational performance, strategy, and the systems that help institutions operate more effectively. Across military service, corporate compliance, and emergency management engagement, Faith remains committed to excellence, service, and advancing resilient, well-prepared communities. 

 Lindsay Brown is an Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist with Arapahoe County Public Health (ACPH), where she leads the training and exercise initiatives within the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program. Ms. Brown is a seasoned public health professional with expertise in emergency management, crisis response, and preparedness training. She holds a Master of Public Health from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Public Health from Northern Arizona University. In addition to her role at ACPH, Ms. Brown currently serves as a Reservist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), supporting disaster response efforts across the country. Her contributions have been vital in national emergency operations, including deployments for Hurricane Idalia (2023) and Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene (2024). Previously, Ms. Brown served as the Department Operations Center Coordinator at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, where she played a key role in coordinating statewide emergency response activities. Her leadership was instrumental during major public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Denver migrant response, and the Mpox outbreak. Her ongoing commitment to public health preparedness and her leadership in both local and national response efforts reflect a deep dedication to building resilient communities. 

 Baillie Brooks is an Emergency Manager with a strong background in public health preparedness, healthcare coordination, and disaster response. Her passion for the field began during her undergraduate studies, where she double majored in Public Health and Environmental Studies and served as president of the local AS-MRC chapter. In that role, she helped coordinate disaster conferences and supported tornado and flooding response efforts in the region. Baillie went on to earn her Master of Public Health in Environmental & Occupational Health from the University of Colorado Anschutz, along with a Certificate in Public Health Preparedness & Disaster Response. Throughout her graduate program, she balanced full-time public health research with applied experience, including interning for All Clear Emergency Management Group and completing her capstone project with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, where she helped create a COOP dashboard, training, and program informed by statewide COVID response operations. After graduating in 2022, Baillie joined All Clear full time as the lead for the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition. In that role, she oversaw emergency management programs for 14 hospitals, supported state-led responses, and coordinated healthcare preparedness initiatives across Vermont. After three years, she returned home to Colorado and now serves as the Emergency Manager for UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, Inverness, and Cherry Creek Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Baillie remains deeply engaged in the field through leadership roles, including Co-Chair of the Metro Foothills Healthcare Coalition in the North Central Region, Vice Chair of the IAEM Healthcare Caucus, and Member At Large for Women in Emergency Management (WOEM). 

 Jacqueline T. Chavez is honored to serve as the Mentorship Committee Lead for WOEM, where she brings not only her professional expertise but also a deep passion for helping others grow. With years of experience in safety and emergency management, Jacqueline currently serves as the Safety & Emergency Management Administrator for the Department of Human Services in Denver. Throughout her career, she’s found joy in building connections, sharing knowledge, and supporting others in finding their path. As committee lead, Jacqueline is excited to foster a welcoming space where members can learn from one another, build lasting relationships, and feel empowered in their professional journeys.