Erin Sutton
Meet Erin
Erin Sutton is a Partner at McChrystal Group, specializing in public sector engagements focusing on emergency management. With over two decades of experience, she excels in developing high-performing emergency management teams, integrating innovative technologies into emergency management processes, and serving as an expert in leadership development for emergency managers.
Before joining McChrystal Group, Erin served as the Chief Deputy State Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), where she oversaw daily operations and led organizational and digital transformations within the agency. Her leadership was instrumental during numerous local, state, and federal disasters, including Hurricanes Matthew (2016), Florence (2018), and Dorian (2020), as well as winter storms, flooding events, tornadoes, hazardous material incidents, and the COVID-19 pandemic at both local and state levels. Notably, Erin provided critical initial leadership during the Afghan repatriation at Dulles Airport and responded to the mass shooting in Virginia Beach.
Erin’s expertise encompasses stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, emergency plan development, strategic planning, exercise development and implementation, fiscal management, and after-action reviews. She has played a pivotal role in evaluating and refining emergency response strategies through structured after-action reviews, ensuring continuous improvement and readiness for future crises. In collaboration with Dominion Energy, Erin led VDEM’s modernization efforts to Virginia’s notification system for its two nuclear power plants. As the lead Public Information Officer for Virginia Beach Public Health and the Office of Emergency Management, she effectively managed communications during critical incidents. She is known for leveraging technology to enhance processes and build effective teams capable of responding to complex emergencies.
A Certified Emergency Manager, Master Exercise Practitioner, and Project Management Professional, Erin was honored as the Emergency Management Professional of the Year for Virginia in 2019.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Radford University and a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from Wright State University. Her deep experience and leadership in high-stakes situations make her an invaluable asset to McChrystal Group and its public sector clients.
B.S. Radford University
M.S. Wright State University
Written Articles/ Materials
Case Study
Building the Future of Emergency Management: FEMA Vanguard Executive Leadership Program
Today’s leaders in emergency management (EM) face a level of complexity, interconnectivity, uncertainty, and volatility far beyond anything seen before. Leading in this environment—where events have far-reaching impacts—requires integrative thinking, advanced problem-solving, predictive analysis, and coordinated communication across a range of organizations and teams. So, with such a daunting problem set, what's to be done? The FEMA Vanguard program was born out of the new reality facing emergency management to provide purposeful connections, enhance role awareness across all facets of EM, introduce new leadership frameworks focused on innovation, inclusion, and adaptability, and address pressing and emerging issues and solutions.
Insights
The Future of Emergency Management: Using AI for Agile Leadership
In moments where seconds matter and information collides, clarity becomes leadership’s greatest advantage. This article explores how AI is transforming emergency management—from real-time situational awareness to predictive decision-making—giving leaders the ability to act with speed, confidence, and precision when it matters most.
From Last to Leading: How Communication Changed a State's Response to the Global Pandemic
At the height of COVID-19, Virginia vaulted from 49th to 11th in vaccine distribution by replacing siloed command with structured communication design. Erin Sutton shows how to get the right information to the right people at the right time, so field insights reshape tactics, and speed and coordination become reinforcing strengths.
Lessons on Leadership
From Last to Leading: How Communication Changed a State's Response to the Global Pandemic
At the height of COVID-19, Virginia vaulted from 49th to 11th in vaccine distribution by replacing siloed command with structured communication design. Erin Sutton shows how to get the right information to the right people at the right time, so field insights reshape tactics, and speed and coordination become reinforcing strengths.
