Bio | Joanna MacKenzie

Joanna (Jojo) MacKenzie’s passion for service has taken her into just about every environment imaginable – from rural and suburban 911 calls as a nationally registered paramedic, to Level I trauma centers, high-risk desert and event medicine, corporate compliance, and emergency management.

With nearly twenty years of leadership in disaster response, prevention, and preparedness, she has served on numerous committees and boards, consistently advocating for underserved communities.

Her experience spans local and international efforts. She has deployed to countless disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, provided low-resource pre-hospital care in Haiti, coordinated medical clinics at refugee camps in Mexico, and supported pandemic emergency management in underserved areas. A skilled linguist and critical thinker, Joanna brings cultural competence and strategic insight to crisis environments.

In her home region of Far West Texas, where she was raised, Joanna has served as both County Emergency Management Coordinator and County Administrator. Now, as the newly elected Hudspeth County Judge, she continues her commitment to rural and vulnerable populations, ensuring their needs are not only heard but addressed.

When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Joanna outdoors, hiking off the beaten path with her loyal four-legged companion, Hank.