Carmen has been working in Emergency Preparedness & Response since 2018. In her role as a Regional Emergency Preparedness & Response Specialist at Mesa County Public Health, she had the opportunity to work with public health and emergency preparedness partners in the Northwest and West Regions of Colorado, and lead the Regional Operations Branch of the COVID-19 Response. After 1.5 years of COVID-19 Response, Carmen transitioned into the role of a Community Health Planner at Public Health, where she led strategic planning with stakeholders to achieve large-scale systemic change to reduce substance abuse, prevent child maltreatment, and address the mental health crisis in Mesa County. She is a socially inclined professional who believes in positivity, professionalism and fostering meaningful connections to those around her. She is happy to return to the Emergency Preparedness & Response community to support the Northwest Region of Colorado.