Jamie Aten is a disaster leadership expert, professor, author, and survivor. He is the founder and co-director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, where he also holds the Blanchard Chair of Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership. With over $6 million in external funding, he has conducted research and developed programs to help individuals and communities cultivate resilience amidst mass disasters and humanitarian crises.

Dr. Aten's work stems from his own personal experiences. He moved to South Mississippi just before Hurricane Katrina hit, which sparked his interest in studying disasters. Later, he battled stage IV cancer, which further shaped his understanding of crises and resilience.

His work has been featured in numerous media outlets, such as The Washington Post and USA Today, as well as academic journals and books. Dr. Aten has also received several awards, including an American Psychological Association Early Career Award and the 2016 FEMA Community Preparedness Champion Award.

Dr. Aten shares his insights on topics like leadership, disasters, cancer, and resilience through his writing and speaking engagements. He has even founded a Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership MA Program and a Graduate Certificate in Trauma.