Vasiti Soko, the Director of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), has successfully completed the Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship 2024 program organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Ms. Soko was among the 25 senior crisis leaders selected for this exclusive cohort, which focused on innovative strategies in crisis and emergency management. Notably, she is the first Pacific Islander and Fijian to participate in this program.
The landscape of challenges encountered by crisis and emergency managers is constantly evolving. These professionals tackle various issues, including pandemic responses, homelessness solutions, and refugee resettlement, while also managing conventional emergency situations caused by natural disasters. Their expertise in leading diverse teams is crucial in maintaining order during times of chaos.
Since her appointment in 2019, Ms. Soko has demonstrated her leadership in emergency management by guiding the Fiji NDMO through significant achievements. These include the establishment of Fiji’s National Emergency Response Team (NERT), the enactment of several key laws, and the implementation of the National Disaster Management Act.
The FEMA Vanguard cohort included accomplished leaders from various sectors, such as state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management, corporate executives, philanthropic leaders, elected representatives, and other management professionals.
The fellowship program, developed by FEMA in partnership with the RAND Corporation and McChrystal Group, aimed to strengthen the connections essential for better preparedness and response to national crises.