Susamma Seeley, a Certified Emergency Manager, is a disaster science and management doctoral student and instructor at the University of Delaware. Ms. Seeley is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Prior to starting her doctoral studies, she worked with a national faith-based organization where she specialized in crisis and disaster human services coordination and had also served as the Chairperson of the New York City and the Missouri State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYC VOAD & MO VOAD).

Ms. Seeley was a member of the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Assessment and Response Team where she was deployed to many notable disasters including the 2011 Joplin Tornado, and the 2012 New Jersey Super Storm Sandy response. When she deployed on their behalf, she specialized in the integration of the local Catholic Charities disaster operations into the local community’s response and recovery.

Ms. Seeley graduated Summa Cum Laude from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York (BA) and holds a master’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management (MPA). In June 2016, she completed the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Executive Education Program at Harvard University – Kennedy School of Government & T.H. Chan School of Public Health (NPLI Cohort XIV).

Ms. Seeley is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers and was Chairperson of the IAEM-USA Conference Committee from 2012 to 2016. She was the Advisory Board Chairperson for Emergency Management Methodology Partners and is a co-founder of ProBonoEM. Ms. Seeley was the United Nations representative for the Malankara Social Service Society, a South Indian NGO with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Ms. Seeley was born in Kerala, India. She speaks Malayalam and understands Hindi, Urdu, and Spanish at various levels of proficiency.