Episode 3: Middle Floors & Mitigation — Building Resilience with Dr. Natalie Enclade
What do building codes, Hershey Kisses, and Legally Blonde have in common?
They all make an appearance in this conversation with the one and only Dr. Natalie Enclade – the “Elle Woods” of emergency management and resilience. In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, Natalie shares her journey from hurricane-prone Louisiana, to leading disaster preparedness efforts at FEMA, to reshaping national policy as the Executive Director of BuildStrong America.
But as brilliant as she is, Natalie keeps it hilariously real – think “doctor school,” chaotic childhood storm prep, and the time her son uncovered a contradiction in emergency alerts and decided to just chill on the middle floor.
In this conversation, Natalie and I discuss:
* Why making resilience relatable actually saves lives
* How humor and humility can break down complex policy barriers
* What a parent’s love (and a kid’s logic) can teach us about communication
* And why it’s time to move past the “build, destroy, rebuild” cycle
Whether you’re an emergency manager, a parent, or just trying to figure out what resilience actually means, this one’s for you. Trust me y’all—Natalie just makes it all make sense.
About Dr. Natalie Enclade
Natalie F. Enclade, Ph.D., is a nationally respected leader in emergency management, homeland security, and public policy. As Executive Director of BuildStrong America, she brings together a powerful coalition to reduce disaster costs and foster a more resilient nation.
Previously, she ran the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Financial Well-Being Program and served as FEMA’s Director of Individual and Community Preparedness—roles where she empowered people and communities across the country to prepare for and bounce back from disasters. Natalie has also served as a Chief Policy Advisor and Senior Program Analyst for DHS, a Policy Analyst for the Mississippi Legislature, and a subject matter expert on emergency management and cybersecurity for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Her work helped shape key legislation, including the groundbreaking Disaster Recovery Reform Act.
Currently, she serves on national resilience and disaster recovery committees with the National Academies and the National Institute of Building Sciences. She also teaches graduate courses in homeland security, emergency management, and public policy. Natalie holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University and a bachelor’s from Millsaps College.