JUDY KRUGER Ph.D.
Preparedness Problem-Solver
Dr. Judy Kruger is a nationally recognized expert in disaster preparedness, biosecurity measures, and risk mitigation. With senior leadership roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Judy has led efforts in coordinating responses to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and system-wide disruptions across the U.S. and internationally. Her mission: help companies and communities prepare before disaster strikes—ensuring the safety of their workforce, the continuity of operations, and the protection of their bottom line.
Consultant
Promotes best practices to improve outcomes. Innovative crisis leader who is known for transformative solutions using innovative techniques, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and leveraging data to support strategic decision-making.
Assessor
Conducts evaluations as part of the Emergency Management Accreditation Standards Assessor Team for universities, and local, state, regional, and federal emergency management organizations seeking accreditation. Conducts audits to ensure compliance to an organization’s overall performance.
Board Advisor
Provides outstanding content to accommodate a variety of operational environments. Develops and reviews business continuity plans to help boards, for profit and non-profit organizations identify, prepare for and present events that may disrupt business activities.
Disaster Preparedness: A Case Study
In 2025, while simultaneously overseeing the closeout of recovery operations across four Northeast states, I assumed leadership of FEMA Region 1’s Recovery Office Complex (ROC). I transformed a 25,300-square-foot consolidated facility into the central coordination hub for more than 220 staff from previously scattered joint field offices, eliminated silos, established consistent points of contact for applicants, and enabled real-time collaboration, setting a new standard for multi-disaster recovery in a resource-constrained environment.
Recognizing that 40 communities in two states were trapped in a cycle of repeated flooding and federal assistance, I championed an aggressive hazard-mitigation focus that shifted the mission from mere recovery to long-term resilience. Under my direction, the ROC secured dedicated mitigation funding, accelerated cross-program coordination directly with state emergency management agencies to deliver enhanced training and technical assistance. I helped invest $24.2 million in direct financial assistance into the community, reduced administrative costs, and strengthened federal-state partnerships across New England.
As COVID-19 cases and stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions, and rigid behavioral modifications grew, I decided to bring in the Delaware National Guardsmen (DNG).
In late 2015, health officials in American Samoa began seeing an unusual rise in fever and rash illnesses. Territorial leadership soon confirmed that Zika was spreading locally.
Throughout my career, I have had numerous opportunities to develop and implement the agency’s vision, mission, and goals. My most significant professional accomplishment involved anthrax.
In 2023, I was assigned the Federal Coordinating Officer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), supporting recovery efforts from Hurricane Idalia, a destructive Category 4 that caused significant damage and flooding to homes, businesses, and the infrastructure in 32 declared Georgia counties.
judykruger.com 