Karima Holmes

About Karima Holmes

Karima Holmes is a reputable senior leader at the intersection of technology, government affairs, and public safety operations. She is the Vice President of Public Safety, Customer Success, and External Affairs at Carbyne, a leading cloud-native emergency communications company. In this role, Holmes drives innovation in public safety workflows, spearheads customer success initiatives, and cultivates key government relationships to enhance emergency response solutions.Responsibilities:Senior subject matter expert on emergency communications and Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology.Develops measurable customer success strategies to optimize engagement and drive long-term outcomes.Primary liaison to local, state, and federal public safety officials and associations.Leads a team of brand ambassadors to strengthen customer relationships and support sales efforts.Oversees initiatives to enhance public safety workflows for more efficient emergency operations.Background:Holmes has over 25 years of leadership experience in managing large-scale emergency communication operations. She has held executive roles at 911 communications centers nationwide and served as Branch Chief at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she led efforts to create a national cyber-resilient 911 ecosystem.As Executive Director of the Washington, D.C. Office of Unified Communications, Holmes managed a $125M budget, led over 400 employees, and orchestrated critical public safety programs during pivotal events. She directed the deployment of radios for National Special Security Events and provided leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 civil unrest, and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.Holmes has prioritized the modernization of critical infrastructure, leveraging advanced technologies to improve public safety communications. Her collaborative approach with local, federal, and international agencies has strengthened crisis response efforts nationwide.Notable Achievements and Leadership Roles:Appointed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary to serve on the FirstNet Authority Board (2019).Chaired the FCC’s 911 Fee Diversion Strike Force (2021).Member of the Board of Directors for the Next Generation 911 Institute.Adjudicator of the 2019 National Emergency Communications PlanEducation and Certifications:Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Homeland Security. Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice 2021 graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leaders Program.

Experience

1. Board Member

   Ng9-1-1 Institute

   Nov 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

Education

• Naval Postgraduate School

  Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Executive Leaders Program

• Augusta State University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Criminal Justice/Police Science

  2001 — 2006

• Augusta University

  Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Department of Homeland Security

  2007 — 2010