From Bolton to the Capitol: Jana Henderson’s Statewide Impact in Disaster Preparedness

Jana N. Henderson, a native of Bolton, Mississippi, has dedicated over two decades of service to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), rising through the ranks to become one of the state’s leading voices in disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness.

Her career at MEMA began in 2003, where she served in various roles including Administrative Assistant to both the Response and Recovery Bureau Director and the Executive Director. Her leadership and dedication eventually led to her appointment as Chief of Staff, and later as Director of the Office of Mitigation and the State of Mississippi Hazard Mitigation Officer in 2012.

Ms. Henderson has played a vital role in responding to over 30 declared disasters, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. Her expertise in planning and recovery has helped guide Mississippi communities through some of their most challenging times.

An alumna of Belhaven University, she holds both a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Business Management. She is also a Certified Floodplain Manager and is furthering her studies in the legal field with coursework in Paralegal studies.

In addition to her work at MEMA, Henderson is an Adjunct Professor at Tougaloo College, contributing to the Coastal Resilience Center of Excellence-Education Project within the Sociology and Social Work Department. She also serves as Treasurer for the Association of State Floodplain Managers and is a board member of the Association of Floodplain Managers of Mississippi.

She has testified before the U.S. Senate on critical issues such as mitigation, resiliency, and flood insurance—bringing particular attention to the needs of rural communities like her hometown of Bolton. Her work continues to reflect a strong commitment to making Mississippi, and Bolton in particular, stronger and more resilient in the face of future disasters.