January 22, 2026 – Registration is OPEN!
Time: 8:00am ET – 6:30pm ET (Full-Day Summit followed by reception)
Location: Carahsoft Headquarters, Reston, VA
Format: In-person, one-day event
Cost to Attend: $179 for members/$239 for nonmembers
CPE Credits Available: 10 available through a combination of 6 from the live, in-person event and 4 from on-demand opportunities following the event.
The SDFM Strategy and Resources Summit is a premier annual one-day, in-person event that brings together senior leaders from government and industry to advance financial readiness across the defense enterprise. Tailored for professionals in defense financial management, including budget and program execution experts, audit and compliance specialists, and strategic resource advisors—the summit focuses on aligning financial strategy with mission outcomes.
Through expert-led panels and interactive sessions, attendees gain actionable insights into key areas such as audit readiness and success, health program financing, strategic resource allocation, and budget transitions. The summit emphasizes forward-looking approaches to optimizing defense resources, enhancing fiscal agility, and strengthening financial decision-making in support of national security objectives.
Who Should Attend
This summit is tailored for professionals who influence or execute financial strategy within the defense enterprise, including:
- Senior Defense Financial Managers and Analysts
- Budget and Program Execution Experts
- Audit and Compliance Specialists
- Strategy and Policy Advisors
- Government and Industry Stakeholders in DoD Financial Operations
Whether you’re shaping policy, driving audit readiness, or managing budget transitions, this event offers insights and connections critical to your role.
Maximize Your Learning Value at SRS
Your registration unlocks more than just an exceptional on-site experience. Attendees can earn 6 CPE hours during the live event and extend their learning with an additional 4 CPE hours through on-demand sessions—for a total of 10 CPE hours. This combined offering ensures you receive the full value of your investment while gaining practical insights to advance your expertise.
Content Highlights
Programming will focus on current and emerging priorities in defense financial management.
The Strategy and Resource Summit Agenda:*
| 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM | Registration Opens, Coffee and Networking |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Opening Keynote Session Alaleh Jenkins, PTDO Assistant Secretary of the Navy Rich Brady, SDFM Chief Executive Officer |
| 10:10 AM – 11:00 AM | Achieving Rapid Acquisition: Implications of the PAE and Adaptive Commercial Pricing for the Financial Management Community Presenters: Justin Fanelli, Department of the Navy Chief Technology Officer Dr. Jarred Conley, From the Defense Innovation Unit Maria Proestou, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Acquisition, Policy and Budget Revised Audit Strategy: Establishing New Remediation Teams for DWCF Audit Readiness Presenters: Thomas Harker, Deputy Chief Financial, OUSW(C) |
| 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Networking Break with Exhibitors |
| 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM | Transforming Pay to the Total Force and the Industrial Base Presenters: Anthony Hullinger, DFAS Principal Deputy Director Automation andLeveraging Automation and AI to Support Audit ObjectivesAI Support of Audit Objectives Presenters: Shawn Lennon, Assistant Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller |
| 12:20 PM – 1:30 PM | Networking Lunch |
| 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM | Breakout Session 5/Breakout Session 6 Audit Task Force Panel Presenters: Pat Lynch, CEO and Managing Partner, Lynch Consulting Elevating, Not Complicating: Forging an Audit-Ready Future Presenters: Scott Bauer, Executive Director, Human Capital and Resource Management for the Office of the Under Secretary of War Pete Bowman, Human Capital Branch Head Lori Tucker, Assistant Deputy Director of Human Capital and Resource Management |
| 2:30 PM – 3:20 PM | Breakout Session 7/Breakout Session 8 Counter Threat Finance and the Financial ‘Domain’ of Military Operations Presenters: Brian Smith, Faculty Member and Lead Instructor, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) Acquisition Reform and Resources Presenters: Lara Sayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller |
| 3:20 PM – 3:50 PM | Networking Break |
| 3:50 PM – 4:50 PM | Closing Keynote Session Blitzkrieg Redux – Adapt or Perish Presented by: Brian Michelson, Author of Warbot 1.0: AI Goes to War |
| 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Networking Reception |
*Additional schedule and sessions details to follow
Why Attend
- Gain Strategic Insights into evolving priorities and reforms impacting defense financial management
- Strengthen Audit Readiness through shared best practices and lessons learned
- Network with Senior Leaders from government and industry during dedicated breaks and an evening reception
- Explore Innovative Solutions in the exhibit hall and connect with key decision-makers shaping the future of defense finance
Participants will benefit from high-impact programming, best practices, and networking with key decision-makers. This is your opportunity to stay ahead of change, influence outcomes, and build relationships that matter.
Questions
education@sdfm.org
