Sami Clements is an emergency manager and designer. She was born and raised on the Delmarva Peninsula; got her B.A in History and Political Science from Susquehanna University and her M.A in International Affairs from The New School. Her Master’s Thesis examined short and long term recovery efforts throughout New York City following Superstorm Sandy’s affect on the City, specifically focusing on the relationship between recovery efforts and whether neighborhoods fell within more centralized or peripheral areas of the city.

As she began to navigate the idea of urban and rural space, community, and emergencies / crisis she worked with the New York Emergency Management Department’s Human Services unit as the Disability, Access and Functional needs intern. While with the department she studied the ADA and its intersection with emergency management, and wrote guidance for city workers assisting those with DAFN concerns in city shelters. 

Sami also served with AmeriCorps VISTA for a year with SERVE Philadelphia in the Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management. While at Phila OEM she organized the Emergency Practices and Inclusion Conference (aka EPIC,) which explored various aspects of accessibility and community-based planning through panels and presentations conducted by a diverse cadre of people in and outside of the public safety field. She then went on to serve as DAFN Logistics Program Manager for New York City Emergency Management where she supported numerous responses such as Covid-19, Ida, and the Bronx fire of 2022.

After leaving the agency she began working as a contractor / consultant, most signifanctly serving as DAFN consultant for New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the 2024 NM fiscal year. She continues to take on opportunities to consultant with various agencies and organizations on accessibility and inclusive / equitable planning.