SDFM hosts the Federal CFO Academy through a partnership with McKinsey & Company. This event brings together aspiring federal CFOs in the national security sector to discuss becoming a strategic thought partner, identifying effective trade space, digitizing the finance/accounting function, and growing financial management talent for the future.
In today’s rapidly evolving defense sector, financial leadership is more crucial than ever. SDFM’s Federal CFO Academy is designed specifically for professionals who aspire to rise to the level of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) within defense organizations. The day will focus on the unique challenges of the defense sector, including government regulations, budgeting, PPBE processes, and audit compliance. This program will help provide you with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of defense financial management and take your career to the next level.
This event is open by invitation only and free for eligible and approved attendees. This exclusive program is designed for a select group of approximately 30 participants that include CFOs, comptrollers, resource managers, and direct reports at around the GS-15/O-6 level. Reach out to Caroline Smith (csmith@sdfm.org) if interested in the event to confirm eligibility.
Academy attendees will earn 5 CPE credits.
Schedule
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast | |
| 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM | Introductions | Rich Brady, CEO, SDFM |
| 9:10 AM – 10:00 AM | Senior Leader Discussion | Hon. Thomas Harker, Former Acting Secretary of the Navy |
| 10:00 AM – 10:10 AM | Break | |
| 10:10 AM – 10:45 AM | Role of finance in times of change | Chris Griggs, Matthew Maloney |
| 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM | Finding efficiencies: Private sector lessons learned and applications to the public sector | Chris Griggs, Jihye Gyde |
| 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Portfolio Mission Return on Investment (ROI) and Efficiency | Mary Helen Matthews |
| 12:15 PM – 1 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | AI and automation within the finance function | Tom Kearns, Brendan Bertagnoll |
| 1:45 PM -2:45 PM | Talen management for CFOs | Michele Tam, Sarah Lu |
| 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Break | |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Fireside chat with former public CFOs | Hon. Russell Rumbaugh, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller), and others to be added |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Happy Hour / Departure |
A Worthwhile Investment of Your Time
Past participants consistently give high ratings in the Federal CFO Academy surveys, with 100% of rating the program materials and content as helpful in their ongoing roles as finance executives.
“This was tailored, relevant, and high-quality training. I enjoyed how this was a small group – it enabled more dialogue and opportunities to hear others’ successes/challenges. AMSC and McKinsey did an impressive job. Thank you for putting this together!”
“I feel like we rarely have time to sit down and digest aspirational content. I really enjoyed listening to the speakers talk about how the role of the CFO is evolving and the direction industry and public sector leaders are going.”
“It was great having the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss pertinent issues with other comptroller personnel. I particularly enjoyed the fireside chat with CFOs.”
