Angela Gladwell has stepped into her new role as Chief of Staff within FEMA’s Risk, Analysis, Planning, and Information Directorate, part of the FEMA Resilience division. Gladwell, a seasoned leader in emergency management and risk mitigation, announced the move on LinkedIn, noting her excitement for this next step and her return to FEMA Resilience, where she looks forward to contributing to the directorate’s work in disaster risk reduction. “After 8 1/2 years, I am stepping out of the Senior Executive Service, and moving forward in my longer term professional and personal goals,” Gladwell wrote. “I am excited to return to Resilience and their important work to help reduce disaster suffering.”
With 25 years in emergency management, Gladwell brings substantial experience leading programs focused on disaster recovery and risk reduction. Her FEMA career includes roles such as Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy and Program Analysis and Director of FEMA’s Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office. She also served as Director of Hazard Mitigation Assistance, where she managed national programs designed to provide critical risk data, promote public awareness, and encourage actions to reduce life and property risks from natural hazards.
Another of Gladwell’s accomplishments includes her tenure as Deputy Assistant Administrator of FEMA’s Risk Management Directorate, where she led initiatives under programs such as RiskMAP, Mitigation Planning, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, and the National Dam Safety Program. Her leadership in this role helped deliver quality risk data and resources, enabling communities to better manage natural hazard risks.
Gladwell also played an essential role as Director of FEMA’s Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation. There, she oversaw FEMA’s compliance with environmental planning and historic preservation laws, guiding a team that included the Agency’s Environmental Officer and Federal Preservation Officer. Her work ensured that FEMA’s actions were aligned with national environmental policies and historic preservation standards.
Holding a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington, Gladwell’s expertise is well-rooted in both emergency management and public policy.