Katie
Belfi JD · CEM · MCC
Former FEMA Regional Counsel.
Now working for you.
Belfi Consulting was founded in 2018 primarily to provide expert FEMA advisory services to organizations navigating the full complexity of federal disaster recovery — from eligibility strategy to high-stakes appeals. Fifteen-plus years of experience spanning commercial law, federal agency counsel, health system leadership, and consulting. Senior-led from day one.
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Katie Belfi
$700M+
In federal Public Assistance funding secured for a single state Health Department
$250M+
In proposed ineligibility determinations reversed through facilitated FEMA discussions — without formal appeal
15+
Years in federal disaster recovery — as agency counsel, health system leader, and senior consultant
Belfi Consulting, LLC
Austin, TX
Available Nationwide
// What We Do
Expert
Services
Every engagement is senior-led. No junior staff, no account managers — you work directly with a former FEMA Regional Counsel and Acting PA Branch Chief whose legal, regulatory, and enterprise risk background informs every aspect of the advisory work, without the overhead of a law firm.
01
PA Program Compliance & Eligibility
Ongoing review of project documentation, cost submissions, and program compliance to maximize eligible funding and eliminate exposure to ineligibility determinations before they happen.
02
Regulatory & Policy Analysis
In-depth analysis of FEMA policy, procurement requirements, grant conditions, and regulatory compliance — informed by a JD and years enforcing these rules from inside the agency. This is advisory analysis, not legal representation.
03
Appeals & Dispute Resolution
As Acting PA Branch Chief for FEMA Region II, Katie helped establish the region's appeals practice and personally reviewed and decided appeals — giving her an unmatched view of exactly what moves the needle on the other side. That inside knowledge drives every appeal strategy she builds for clients today.
04
Executive Advisory & Enterprise Risk
Trusted by C-suite executives and senior government leaders to navigate complex, high-stakes decisions at the intersection of disaster recovery, regulatory risk, and organizational resilience. Brings the same rigor to enterprise risk management that drives FEMA compliance outcomes.
05
Expert Review & Compliance Analysis
Independent review of FEMA project worksheets, determinations, and correspondence to identify vulnerabilities, compliance gaps, and strategic opportunities before deadlines pass.
06
Training & Crisis Exercises
FEMA compliance training for internal teams, documentation best-practice workshops, tabletop exercises, and organizational resilience programs for leadership and operational staff.
// Background & Credentials
The Advisor
Who Has
Been There.
Katie Belfi has sat on both sides of the table. She built her career as a commercial litigator, then as federal counsel and Acting PA Branch Chief inside FEMA — where she helped establish the region's appeals practice and reviewed and decided appeals just like those her clients bring today. That arc — courtroom, federal agency, health system, entrepreneur — is what no other advisor in this space can offer.
Education
Columbia University, 2006
Bachelor of Arts
Education
St. John's University School of Law, 2009
Juris Doctorate
NY Bar Admitted 2009
Executive Education
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2021
Crisis Leadership
Executive Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2021
Crisis Management & Business Resiliency
Certification
Certified Emergency Manager
International Association of Emergency Managers, 2021
Certification
Master Certified Coach
ICF Accredited · Certified Life Coaching Institute, 2023
2009 — 2012
Associate Attorney
Commercial Litigation
Herrick Feinstein, LLP
New York, NY
2012 — 2015
Regional Counsel &
Acting PA Branch Chief
FEMA Region II · DHS
Established appeals practice;
reviewed & decided regional appeals
2016 — 2018
Manager & Specialist
Emergency Management
NYU Health System
New York, NY
2018 — Present
Founder &
Principal Consultant
Belfi Consulting, LLC
Austin, TX
// Peer-Reviewed Publications · Health Security Journal, 2022
Rethinking Surge Preparedness After COVID-19 Effective Patient Load Balancing Within Health Systems and Beyond · Health Security, 20:6, 497–503
Regional Health System Coordination via a Hospital Association A Successful Model for Managing Downstate New York's Second COVID-19 Wave · Health Security, 20:6, 504–509
// Get In Touch
The right
advisor
changes
everything.
Whether your organization is navigating a federal disaster recovery, supporting FEMA applicants on disaster projects, or strengthening enterprise risk and resilience — this is the conversation to have first.
Email katie@belficonsulting.com
Web www.belficonsulting.com
Location Austin, TX
Available Nationwide
// Send an Inquiry