Michelle Edwards has more than 20 years’ experience in disaster risk reduction and emergency management. As Senior Director of the Mitigation, Planning and Research Division at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), she provides strategic oversight of research, planning, mitigation and risk-reduction programmes that strengthen Jamaica’s disaster resilience.

She leads disaster-response coordination in line with ODPEM’s mandate and promotes best practices to advance the organisation’s goals and strategic objectives. Her work includes supporting the development and implementation of disaster-management policies and plans, using research to inform decision-making, and guiding national initiatives for disaster mitigation and risk reduction.

Ms Edwards has contributed to ODPEM’s “Building Disaster Resilient Communities” programme and has facilitated the drafting of Jamaica’s Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Policy.

She holds a Master of Science in Natural Resource Management from the University of the West Indies and a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Technology, Jamaica. She has also undertaken extensive training in emergency response and disaster management, including Managing Complex Emergencies at the Inter-American Defence College in Washington, DC.