Date: November 4, 2026
Time: 12:00pm ET
Discover what the CDFM can mean for your career and hear firsthand from professionals who have earned it.
What can the CDFM add to your professional journey, and what does it really take to earn the credential?
Join SDFM for a candid, community-focused conversation about the CDFM and its value across the defense financial management profession. You will get a practical overview of what the credential validates, who is eligible, how the application and examination process works, and how the CDFM complements the DoD FM Certification.
Then, hear directly from military, civilian, and corporate CDFMs as they share why they pursued the credential, what they learned along the way, and how the experience has shaped their professional credibility, confidence, and readiness for greater responsibility.
Whether you are exploring the CDFM for the first time, preparing for the exams, or supporting others on their certification journeys, you will leave with practical insights, answers to your questions, and a clearer path forward.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explain what the CDFM credential validates and how it contributes to professional credibility within the defense FM community.
- Outline the key steps in the CDFM journey, from eligibility and application through examination and recertification.
- Recognize how military, civilian, and corporate professionals experience the value of the CDFM in different ways.
- Identify practical insights from current CDFMs that can help prospective candidates prepare for the certification journey.
- Choose a next step based on their current goals, from reviewing eligibility and exploring preparation resources to beginning the application process.
Panelists
Panelist
Frank Brown, MBA, CDFM-A, Business Operations Acquisition Specialist, Apogee Engineering, LLC
Mr. Frank C. Brown Jr. is a Certified Defense Financial Manager with the Acquisition specialty (CDFM-A) who currently serves as a Defense Contractor for Apogee Engineering supporting the U.S. Special Operations Command, Program Executive Office Maritime as a Strategic Financial Planner within the Business Operations of the Surface Systems portfolio. Mr. Brown began his professional career in 2014 after serving 22 years in the United States Army. During his military career he has been recognized for superior performance with military awards that include the Major General Towson Medallion, received for his leadership contribution to the United States Army Finance Corp; a Bronze Star Medal awarded for his leadership in combat while deployed to Iraq from February 2008 to May 2009; the Office of the Secretary of Defense Comptroller award for innovative ideas in a combat zone in Afghanistan in 2012; and the Special Operations Financial Manager of the Year award in 2012. As a community leader, Frank is also actively involved in various volunteer activities such as being a Mentor to transitioning service members with the Camaraderie Foundation, attending annual walks and fundraisers with breast cancer survivors sponsored by the Susan G. Koman foundation for breast cancer awareness, supports local food drives with Metropolitan Ministries, and various local and international charity events hosted by the Rotary International Foundation. In 2025, Frank was honored to receive the Paul Harris Fellows award for his contributions. Frank is also a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business and received his Master of Business Administration degree and Accreditation Counsel for Business Schools and Programs Leadership Award from the University of Phoenix in 2016.
Panelist
CPT Lianora A. Smith, CDFM, Funds Control, Funds Management & Operations Comptroller Division, Office of the Chief of Army Reserve
Captain Lianora Areevong Smith is a U.S. Army Finance & Comptroller Officer with more than 18 years of distinguished service in Active and Reserve Components. She currently serves as Funds Control at the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, where she oversees the execution and management of a $9.3 billion portfolio serving more than 177,000 Soldiers, 11,000 Civilians across 2,161 units, 5 installations, 742 separate facilities operating in all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and 24 countries. Her career spans assignments from Hawaii to the National Capital Region and includes a combat deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2010 to 2011. Her previous positions include Integration Officer, Budget Analyst, Auditor, Budget Officer, Internal Control Officer, Operations Officer, and Financial Management Technician. CPT Smith’s military and professional distinctions include the Combat Action Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Society of Defense Financial Management 75th Anniversary Impact Award, and the 25th Anniversary Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Emerging Leader Award. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to stewardship, accountability, and innovation. Dedicated to both mission and people, she personally mentors, advances professional development, and leads community service initiatives that give back to veterans, families, and local organizations. Captain Smith exemplifies the next generation of leaders in defense financial management. She champions outreach programs that empower youth and future leaders, reflecting her belief that true leadership extends beyond excellence in duty. It is about uplifting others through service and purpose.
Panelist
Angela Green, CDFM, Director of Cyber Resources, Acquisition & Analysis (GS-15) Department of the Air Force | Principal Cyber Advisor
Ms. Angela Green is a Senior Financial Analyst with more than 20 years of experience across the Joint Staff, the Department of the Air Force (DAF), and the Department of the Army. She currently serves as Director of Cyber Resources, Acquisition & Analysis for the DAF. In this role she advises the DAF Principal Cyber Advisor on a $7B cyberspace operations budget, advocates for critical cyber capabilities, and spearheads financial governance, including developing the framework for the congressionally mandated annual Cyber Budget Certification. Previously, Angela served as Branch Chief at U.S. Cyber Command (J83), where she authored the command’s foundational Standard of Operations Procedures for execution under the Enhanced Budget Control, shifting the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) of core cyber resources and major acquisition programs directly under U.S. Cyber Command oversight. Earlier, she held senior analytical positions within the Office of the Assistance Secretary of the Army (Financial Management & Comptroller) managing complex resource portfolio ranging from $600M to more than $7B. Throughout her tenure, she served as a key liaison between Army senior leaders and congressional committee members, defending fiscal priorities and optimizing resource execution. Angela is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), holds DoD FM Level 3 certification, and is a graduate of the CFO Council (CXO) Fellowship. She serves on the CDFM Certification Commission and has received the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal and the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Panel Moderator:
Megan Stewart, Director, Education and Certification, SDFM
CDFM Certification Overview Presented by:
Jen Antiporda, Senior Manager of Certification, SDFM
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