Speakers

Jess Kindig is the Team Lead and North Region Exercise Program Manager at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). She provides preparedness expertise to local emergency management agencies and their partners, serves within the State Emergency Operations Center, and is a member of the Indiana Damage Assessment Recovery Team (I-DART). Jess began her journey in emergency management by volunteering with her county’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). With over 15 years of experience in the field, she has come to appreciate the significant impact that teamwork can have on our communities. Collaboration and dedication to preparedness require considerable effort and patience, but being part of a team that fosters relationships and unites people motivates her to enhance our preparedness capabilities, making response and recovery more efficient. Additionally, Jess is an adjunct professor at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where she teaches public safety courses to undergraduate students. Jess holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Affairs, both from Indiana University. She has earned her Master Exercise Practitioner certification through FEMA’s National Disaster and Emergency Management University. Furthermore, she is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers and holds an Indiana Professional Manager certification.