Curtis Brown is an experienced homeland security and emergency management executive, educator, and disaster equity thought leader. His experience includes developing pioneering policies and programs, building partnerships, driving innovation, enhancing team performance, and managing complex organizations. His diverse emergency management and homeland security work experiences include key roles on the federal, state, and local levels. Over his career, Brown has advised three governors and the Chair of a U.S. House of Representative Committee on Homeland Security. Brown currently serves as Visiting Senior Practitioner in Residence in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU. He supports the work of the Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) and teaches courses within Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness program. He previously served as the State Coordinator (Director) of Emergency Management at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), leading the agency during its most active period in its history.