Patricia Stahlschmidt

Director of Strategy and Innovation

Photo of Patricia Stahlschmidt

In 2006, FEMA created an Office of Strategy and Innovation to assist the Agency in guiding the process of long-term change and transformation of FEMA, and appointed Ms. Stahlschmidt as Director. The office leads FEMA's strategic analysis and planning efforts, and provides project management support to achieve the Agency's strategic objectives. 

In 2001, Ms. Stahlschmidt was appointed Director of Strategic Planning and Evaluation and in that role led the development and implementation of the Agency's current strategic plan.

Previously, Ms. Stahlschmidt was Director of FEMA's Infrastructure Division within the Response and Recovery Directorate. Her responsibilities included oversight of the Public Assistance Program, the Fire Suppression Assistance Program, and the agency's Historic and Cultural Preservation Program activities.

Ms. Stahlschmidt joined FEMA in 1978 as a floodplain management specialist in the Kansas City , Mo., regional office. In 1984, she accepted a position in the Hazard Mitigation Branch of Disaster Assistance Programs at FEMA headquarters in Washington , D.C.

A native of the Midwest, Ms. Stahlschmidt earned a bachelor's degree in English and American Studies from Southern Illinois University. She also holds a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning from Southern Illinois University and a Master's in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University Industrial College of the Armed Forces, from which she received a distinguished graduate designation.

Last Modified: Sunday, 01-Apr-2007 15:52:36 EDT