Empathia Inc., a leader in organizational resilience and crisis management, is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished professionals, Sharon Bryson and Paul Sledzik, to its Crisis Solutions Advisory Council. These accomplished individuals bring decades of experience in disaster response, victim assistance and crisis communications, further strengthening Empathia’s commitment to building innovative crisis management solutions with a focus on providing exceptional support to those affected.
Sharon Bryson: A Legacy of Leadership in Emergency Management and Community Outreach
Sharon Bryson, currently the Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, joins the council with an exceptional career in public service and crisis management. Previously, she served as Senior Administrator for the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, where she provided critical guidance on communication and community outreach initiatives. Sharon’s federal service career spanned over two decades, culminating in her role as Managing Director for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Sharon’s tenure at the NTSB began in 1997 as a victim assistance specialist, where her dedication and expertise propelled her to become the Chief of the Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) program and later the Director of TDA. Her profound experience in supporting victims and guiding organizational communication during crises aligns perfectly with Empathia’s mission of delivering empathetic and effective solutions.
Paul Sledzik: An Authority in Mass Fatality Response and Family Assistance
Paul Sledzik brings unparalleled expertise in mass fatality response and disaster family assistance to Empathia’s advisory council. Retiring in 2021 after 35 years of federal service, Paul spent the last 17 years at the NTSB, where he held pivotal leadership roles, including Principal Deputy Managing Director.
Paul led the NTSB’s Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications, orchestrating efforts across media, government affairs, advocacy and family assistance. From 2010 to 2016, he directed the Transportation Disaster Assistance Division, coordinating family assistance during major transportation incidents in collaboration with federal, state and non-governmental entities. Notably, Paul represented the U.S. in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) initiative to enhance policies for aviation accident victims and their families, a testament to his global influence on crisis management standards.
Earlier in his career, Paul served as a Regional Team Leader for the U.S. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, overseeing a team of 100 forensic scientists and specialists in managing complex disaster scenarios.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
Sharon and Paul’s extensive expertise will undoubtedly enhance Empathia’s vision of revolutionizing global crisis management. Their collective experience in victim assistance, disaster response and communications underscores Empathia’s dedication to advancing practices that prioritize compassion, resilience and recovery.
“Sharon and Paul are exceptional leaders whose careers demonstrate a steadfast dedication to supporting individuals and organizations through their most difficult times,” said Michelle Colosimo. “We are honored to welcome them to our Crisis Solutions Advisory Council, where their expertise will play a key role in shaping the future of crisis management.”
Empathia looks forward to the invaluable contributions Sharon Bryson and Paul Sledzik will bring to the advisory council, further solidifying the organization’s role as a trusted partner in crisis solutions worldwide.
