Episode 104: ‘Pave Your Own Path’ with Joycelyn Fankhouser
In this episode:
Christi Powell and Angela Gardner interview special guest Joycelyn Fankhauser, the manager of Boulder County Housing and Human Services for disaster. Fankhauser discusses her unique role in disaster management, a field where women are uncommon. She shares her journey of mentoring others, regardless of gender, to prepare for her eventual retirement. Additionally, Fankhauser talks about the joy of teaching her grandson to ski, exemplifying her passion for both her professional work and personal life. The discussion then delves into her career path, how she created her own job description to step into her role, and her involvement in managing various disasters in Boulder County, including floods, fires, a mass shooting, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fankhauser highlights the importance of preparedness and community support in disaster management, especially in facing challenges like the influx of immigrants and the recovery from urban fires. The episode emphasizes the significance of paving one's own path and the impact of women in non-traditional roles. Thanks for Listening!
Supported by: FAVOR Upstate
Show Notes and Links:
Joycelyn Fankhouser - Linkedin
Joycelyn Fankhouser - X (formerly Twitter)
Housing & Human Services - Website
Housing & Human Services - Facebook
00:00 Welcome to Women Talk Construction!
00:24 Introducing Joycelyn Fankhauser: A Trailblazer in Disaster Management
01:03 A Heartwarming Skiing Story: Teaching the Next Generation
02:48 Hobbies That Keep Us Grounded
03:36 Diving Deep into Disaster Management with Joycelyn
04:33 Joycelyn's Journey: From Child Protection to Emergency Management
08:22 Mentoring the Next Generation of Emergency Managers
14:45 Addressing the Challenges of Immigration and Asylum Seekers
22:14 How to Support Boulder County and Emergency Management Services
24:42 Wrapping Up and Encouragement for the Future
About Joycelyn:
Joycelyn brought her 20 years of social work experience to the Boulder County Emergency Manager position in 2016. Prior to that as the Flood Recovery Coordinator for Boulder County Housing Human Services, she led the case management for the 2013 flood.
Joycelyn’s focus is Mass Care, Volunteer Engagement, Donation Management and Disaster Assistance Centers in Boulder County, Colorado. She helped develop the Mass Fatality Plan with the Boulder Office of Disaster Management, specifically the Community Assistance Center Plan. She brings her passion for recovery and planning by co-chairing the NCR Recovery Committee since 2018. She’s a board member of the Women in Leadership Program at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, is a member of the Boulder IMT, has written and received Federal grants for sheltering, and speaks passionately about the Emergency Manager/Human Service Department interface.
She has been married for 32 years and is a mother of 3 strong amazing girls and one grandson. She is committed to service before herself, her family, and her community. You can find her in the garden and on the slopes.
