About Us
About Us
Welcome, and thank you for visiting our site.
I’m Dr. Myra Shird, Founder and CEO of Verina and Associates.
Before launching Verina and Associates, I spent ten years as a college professor, teaching my students how to approach complex challenges through problem-solving and critical thinking. When I joined FEMA, I found myself using those same skills—only this time, the problems weren’t hypothetical. The people I worked with were making real decisions that would affect the rest of their lives. They were navigating the difficult path of disaster recovery.
I quickly learned that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The most effective recoveries start before disaster strikes. When communities engage in inclusive, anticipatory planning, recovery becomes less overwhelming and far more achievable.
Under the leadership of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, I was honored to serve as a subject matter expert on post-disaster housing recovery and to co-lead the Re-Imagine Direct Housing Initiative. That experience deepened my belief that federally supported housing recovery can be a powerful tool—if states and counties have the capacity to manage the process and cut through the red tape. My time at FEMA taught me what communities need to recover faster and stronger.
After nearly 15 years of public service at FEMA, I answered the call to do even more—especially for communities in the Southeastern United States. I founded Verina and Associates to help state and local governments build the capacity they need to manage disaster recovery effectively. Our team of expert emergency managers has supported recovery efforts for some of the most complex disasters in U.S. history, including Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Ian, Maria, Matthew, Florence, and Helene.
We know this region. We know recovery. And we’re here to help.
At Verina and Associates, our mission is simple:
We help you stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.
Our Approach
Disasters don’t just destroy buildings—they disrupt lives, erase family heirlooms, and fracture a community’s sense of home. When a disaster is federally declared, survivors often find themselves surrounded by hundreds, even thousands, of well-meaning responders—volunteers and federal staff who speak in acronyms that can sound like gibberish. For many, it feels like being a stranger in their own hometown.
The Verina Approach is survivor-centric.
We respect and honor the culture of the communities we serve. By developing tools, strategies, and communications that bridge cultural gaps, we aim to reduce misunderstandings between survivors and those sent to help them. We also design plans and projects that celebrate local identity and preserve the community’s unique spirit throughout the recovery process.
In the wake of disaster, local leaders—elected officials, emergency managers, and agency heads—are tasked with assessing damage to infrastructure, homes, agriculture, and tragically, lives. Often, they are experiencing the same loss as the people they serve. And while navigating the complexities of response and recovery, they must also continue managing their day-to-day responsibilities.
The Verina Approach supports leadership capacity—before and after disaster strikes.
We work with local and state leaders before disasters occur to build their readiness and understanding of recovery systems. After a disaster, we provide expert support to help them manage response efforts, make informed decisions, and lead their communities toward a more resilient future.
Our team understands disaster recovery inside and out. We have deep expertise in federal, state, and nonprofit recovery programs. We don’t just make recommendations—we deliver outcome-based strategies that get results.
At Verina and Associates, we’re here to help you:
Stay Ready, so you don’t have to get ready.
