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 the charge 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.

In addition to her applied work, Judy writes and speaks nationally on disaster readiness, leadership through crisis, and business continuity. A Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and trusted national voice in risk communication, Judy has been at the forefront of shaping disaster resilience policies and operational strategies for over two decades.A lifelong learner, Judy understands the value of information exchange. She has invested heavily in mentorship, coaching to mentoring emerging leaders and peers through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and teaching from instructing graduate students at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health and public safety officials at Texas A&M. Through the National Speakers Association (NSA) and International Coaching Federation (ICF), she has shared her expertise to empower the next generation toward excellence on workforce issues.

Previously at FEMA, Judy served as an Emergency Manager and Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), leading cross-functional teams and working directly with communities impacted by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. In this role, she managed federal relief funding and technical assistance, advised on grant distribution, and helped rebuild critical infrastructure and services following catastrophic events. Her hands-on leadership ensured that businesses, nonprofits, and households could navigate complex recovery processes and regain stability. Judy has a keen knack for identifying gaps and needed resources to inform policy development, as well as identifying databases to track community and local government policy initiatives. Additionally, she leveraged technology to enhance the nation’s capacity to respond to and recover from all-hazard emergencies.

Before joining FEMA, Judy held multiple leadership roles at the CDC, including six years as Deputy Branch Chief and Senior Advisor. In this capacity, she led national programs focused on surveillance, emergency response coordination, and preparedness assessments across all 50 states. She worked closely with public, private, and nonprofit partners to strengthen systems for crisis readiness, translating scientific data and field intelligence into policy recommendations, strategic plans, and actionable tools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role in directing rapid needs assessments, vaccination planning, and capacity-building efforts across state and local health systems.

Judy holds a PhD in Public Health and an M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her strong foundation in epidemiology, risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, and stakeholder engagement brings both strategic insight and practical experience to the table—helping organizations anticipate risk, protect people, and maintain continuity through disruption.

Government Agencies

• FEMA

• CDC

• Georgia Emergency Management Agency – All-Hazard Incident Management Team (AHIMT)

Non-Government Affiliations

• MedShare

• American Red Cross

Higher Education Instructor

• Emory University

• TEEX

• Academy of Government and Military Coaching, LLC

Credentials

• PhD Public Health – University of Illinois at Chicago

• Certified Emergency Manager (GEMA)

• Certified Business Continuity Professional (DRI)

• Professional Certified Coach (ICF)