The impact a disaster has on the lives of people is immeasurable. The physical injuries, material losses, and overall disruption of life can take a toll on the victims’ mental well-being. Mikhail Alexander Gebhardt, program coordinator for the FEMA Corps Section within FEMA’s Field Operations Directorate (FOD), has built a career that intertwines emergency management expertise with an emphasis on mental health and addiction awareness.
At FEMA, Gebhardt oversees deployments across the country in a manner that delivers effective disaster relief with compassion. His understanding of logistics enables him to build systems that support communities during the most vulnerable moments.
In 2015, Gebhardt joined AmeriCorps as a member of the FEMA Corps Program. Over the years, Gebhardt has advanced through various roles, including recovery coordination specialist, Individual Assistance (IA) program analyst, and FEMA incident workforce advisor (FIWA). These positions gave him first-hand insight into the complexities of disaster recovery and workforce management. Throughout his career, Gebhardt has focused on creating solutions that address the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and communities.
Birth of a Leader and Advocate
Gebhardt’s success is rooted in his life experiences. Adopted from Russia as a child, he credits his parents’ entrepreneurial spirit with shaping his approach to leadership. Growing up, he observed how they built their business. One of the major lessons he learned is that a comfortable, supportive work environment fosters productivity.
However, Gebhardt’s journey hasn’t been without hardships. He overcame a drug overdose earlier in his life. “Going through treatment and having the support of my family and friends gave me a second chance,” he shares. This life-changing event was the catalyst for his advocacy. For example, winning that battle led him to establish scholarships for high school students facing similar struggles.
Helping People Through the Power of Connection
In addition to Gebhardt’s work with FEMA, he serves as a partner with Kais Financial LLC and as managing director of the Life Leap Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization. At Life Leap, he works with individuals to establish and fund grant agreements while collaborating with organizations to support mental health, addiction, suicide prevention, homelessness, human trafficking, and recovery initiatives. Since 2022, he has also served as an advisory committee board member for the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Gebhardt’s work is characterized by a belief in the power of connection. Whether coordinating disaster relief efforts, funding scholarships, or supporting non-profit and educational organizations, he approaches each endeavor with a focus on creating a meaningful impact. As a mental health advocate, Gebhardt encourages people to work with a therapist. “There are a lot of positive things that come out of it,” he explains.
A Life Story That Can Empower Others
When Gebhardt is not managing disaster recovery efforts or advocating for mental wellness, he finds joy in trading stocks, cycling through the mountains, traveling, and spending time with his wife and son. These personal pursuits help him maintain balance in a demanding career.
In the future, Gebhardt aspires to transition from federal government work to focus full-time on nonprofit leadership, where he can expand his advocacy efforts and create a broader impact in mental health and disaster recovery. Gebhardt hopes to use this platform to share his story and provide actionable advice for those facing adversity.
Through Gebhardt’s work at FEMA, his nonprofit activities, and mental health advocacy, he exemplifies what it means to turn personal challenges into opportunities to help others find their way.
