IEM Names Marion McFadden Vice President for Disaster Recovery
Proven Housing and Community Development Expert to Lead Recovery Efforts
February 24, 2024, Raleigh, NC — IEM International, Inc., the nation’s largest disaster management firm, proudly announces the appointment of Marion McFadden as Vice President of Disaster Recovery.
A nationally recognized expert with a remarkable track record in housing, community development, and disaster recovery, McFadden brings over 25 years of expertise and visionary leadership to IEM. In this role, she will spearhead IEM’s recovery initiatives, driving innovative strategies and impactful solutions to help communities rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient after disasters.
McFadden previously served as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, where she oversaw key financial assistance programs, including the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), to help communities recover and rebuild. Strengthening and accelerating federal government support for disaster-impacted communities has been a hallmark of Marion’s career. She was invited by Congress to testify on improving recovery six times, both on Capitol Hill and at field hearings. Her leadership in mitigating disaster impacts, advancing affordable housing, and strengthening economic development has made an enduring impact nationwide.
“Marion has an exceptional track record of helping communities resiliently recover from disasters, navigating complex challenges, and delivering innovative solutions to address our nation’s housing crisis,” said Bryan Koon, IEM President and CEO. “Her expertise will strengthen IEM’s ability to provide the best possible outcomes for the communities we serve as we drive our mission forward.”
“I am honored to join IEM and lead the charge in helping communities recover and rebuild stronger after disasters,” said McFadden. “Resilient recovery is essential, and I look forward to working with this exceptional team to deliver innovative, lasting solutions.”
“Leading IEM’s disaster recovery team day-to-day and helping communities rebuild has been an incredible privilege. Marion’s expertise and passion for recovery make her the perfect fit for this role,” said Jon Mabry, retiring IEM Vice President of Disaster Recovery. “As I transition to a strategic advisory role, I’m confident the team and its mission are in great hands.”
With over 25 years of experience, Marion McFadden is a nationally recognized leader in community planning, affordable housing, and disaster recovery. She has managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, led federal grant programs, and forged public-private partnerships to address the housing crisis and homelessness, and support disaster-impacted communities. As HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Marion sought feedback on how HUD administers CDBG-Disaster Recovery grants and implemented dozens of changes to allow states and local governments to rebuild more quickly. As Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Senior Advisor for Resilience at Enterprise Community Partners, McFadden shaped affordable housing policy, research, and advocacy to drive resilience at all levels of government. Previously, she played a key role in Hurricane Sandy recovery, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Acting Executive Director of the federal Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force. There, she co-founded the Rebuild by Design competition, bringing world-class innovation to flood protection and shaping 69 long-term recovery recommendations—many of which influenced national disaster policy. Marion also served on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Disaster Recovery Reform Taskforce.
