Women in Fire Conference

Join your peers at Indianapolis Marriott Downtown after a stacked day of education and training to connect and share insights and support for women in the fire service.

Leading from the Margins
Presented By: Chief (Ret.) Jeanine Nicholson, San Francisco (CA) Fire Department

Join us for an inspiring session with Chief Nicholson, a trailblazer in the San Francisco Fire Department with more than 30 years of dedicated service. In her keynote address, Chief Nicholson will share invaluable lessons learned throughout her illustrious career, shedding light on the transformative power of personal experience in shaping effective leadership within the fire service.
Drawing from a wealth of diverse perspectives—both her own and those of her colleagues—Chief Nicholson will illustrate how these experiences have been instrumental in enhancing the department and fostering a culture of relationship building, safety, and innovation. Attendees will gain insight into the importance of embracing varied backgrounds and viewpoints to create a stronger, more resilient organization.
Additionally, Chief Nicholson will delve into the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership. By exploring the interplay between self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills, she will provide actionable strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence, ultimately empowering leaders to inspire and connect with their teams on a deeper level.
Whether you are a seasoned leader or aspiring to take on a leadership role, this keynote promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of leadership dynamics in the fire service and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Chief Nicholson’s experiences and insights that can elevate your own leadership journey.

Jeanine Nicholson retired in 2024 after a distinguished 30-year career with the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), including five years as chief of department. Appointed by Mayor London Breed in 2019, she became the first openly LGBTQ chief in SFFD history.
Starting her career in 1994 as a firefighter EMT, Chief Nicholson rose through the ranks to serve as a firefighter paramedic, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief before taking the helm of the department. Her leadership was defined by her unwavering commitment to safety, health, and innovation.
Chief Nicholson guided the SFFD through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic downturn, prioritizing the physical and mental well-being of her team by establishing a Safety, Health, and Wellness office and expanding resources in the Behavioral Health Unit. A breast cancer survivor, she championed cancer prevention efforts across the fire service and spearheaded the removal of PFAS chemicals from firefighter gear.
Among her accomplishments, Chief Nicholson led the procurement of land and planning for a new SFFD training facility, initiated the development of a USAR team with California OES, and expanded the Department’s Incident Management Team. She also stood as a national advocate for public safety in the regulation of autonomous vehicles.
Under her leadership, the SFFD’s Community Paramedicine program became a national model, addressing social and behavioral health needs while reducing reliance on policing and emergency rooms. She also launched the City EMT program, which offers at-risk youth EMT training, support services, and pathways to careers in emergency services.
Chief Nicholson prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion, establishing a dedicated office and hiring more than 640 new members during her tenure. Her legacy is marked by a focus on collaborative leadership, succession planning, and her enduring pride in the daily work of SFFD members serving San Francisco.