Mary Comans

Ms. Mary Comans is currently serving in the role of Acting Director of the Office of External Affairs.

Ms. Comans previously served as FEMA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), beginning in February 2020 after supporting the FEMA Administrator and Deputy Administrator as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Under her leadership, FEMA has sustained financial excellence, ensuring the Agency is properly resourced and ready to help the American people before, during, and after disasters. Ms. Comans is a dedicated longtime public servant who has served in numerous positions across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Headquarters and its Components. In each of these roles, Ms. Comans has brought professionalism and leadership that has reinforced her reputation as one of the most efficient, effective managers within the federal government. Ms. Comans joined FEMA as the Deputy CFO in August 2016 and assumed the role of FEMA CFO in December 2017.

Ms. Comans’ public service career includes Branch Chief, Office of Budget and Performance at Transportation Security Administration, DHS Acting Assistant Budget Director, and Chief of Staff of the DHS Joint Requirements Council. Ms. Comans is a graduate of the of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leaders Program, has earned a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security & Resource Strategy and a Master of Public Administration from New York University. Her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fordham University.