Nikki Bratcher-Bowman

Mrs. Nikki Bratcher-Bowman currently serves as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ASPR functions as the Secretary's principal advisor on matters related to public health emergencies, including bioterrorism. The office leads the nation in preventing, responding to and recovering from the adverse health effects of manmade and naturally occurring disasters and public health emergencies. As such, the office coordinates interagency activities between HHS, other federal agencies, and state and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population from public health emergencies.

Prior to this role, Mrs. Bratcher-Bowman was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Executive Management within ASPR. In this capacity, she was responsible for leading the Office of External Affairs, Office of Management, Finance and Human Capital, and the Executive Secretariat.

She advised the ASPR and led strategic planning and the transformation and modernization of ASPR operations and services. She led communications strategy, budget, acquisitions and congressional oversight. Previously, she served as the Executive Officer of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) within HHS. She was responsible for managing and leading IEA’s budget and financial resources, human resources, information technology, facilities management, travel programs, contracts and acquisitions, records management, emergency preparedness and safety, freedom of information act oversight, ethics, and information resources across a geographically dispersed organization. With broad experience in the federal sector, her work has spanned operations, human capital, performance optimization, organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and policy.

Mrs. Bratcher-Bowman worked within HHS for more than 31 years and has held other positions, including Chief Operating Officer, Senior Advisor, Senior Dispute Resolution Specialist, Labor Relations, Employee Relations Officer, Policy Advisor and Budget Analyst. She is a seasoned collaborative relationship-builder, effective manager, and multi-audience communicator, with experience working in complex organizations and with federal, state, local and tribal officials and public policy groups. Mrs. Bratcher-Bowman has received numerous awards and recognition for her leadership and service, including the HHS Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Management - one of the highest honors given at HHS. Mrs. Bratcher-Bowman is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and Liberty University.