GFOA of the US & Canada

Congratulations to Gwen Riddle, CPFO, VCA, MBA, budget director for the City of Fairfax, Virginia, on becoming a Certified Public Finance Officer! Gwen started her CPFO journey to strengthen her foundation in public finance and demonstrate her commitment to professional excellence. Through the program, she expanded her expertise across key areas such as budgeting, accounting, debt management, treasury operations, and financial reporting, while also reinforcing the importance of strategic thinking, ethics, transparency, and accountability. She encourages others to pursue the certification, describing it as a rewarding investment that benefits both public finance professionals and the communities they serve. Learn more at https://www.gfoa.org/cpfo-spotlight-gwen-riddle

The June issue of Government Finance Review is now available! This month's magazine is packed with timely insights and practical guidance for public finance professionals, including articles on budgeting for capital assets, rethinking materiality in financial reporting, developing leadership skills, navigating the rise of artificial intelligence, member spotlights, and much more. Explore the latest ideas, trends, and best practices shaping the future of public finance. Read the full issue today at https://www.gfoa.org/gfr-june-2026.

Congratulations to Crystal Jordan, a recipient of $10,000 through our Clark Burrus Public Service Academic Scholarship. Crystal is a budget fiscal services manager for Macomb County, Michigan, where she oversees financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal operations within local government. She is currently pursuing her MBA at Walsh College, maintaining a strong academic record while focusing on strengthening her leadership and financial management expertise. Crystal is passionate about advancing financial transparency, accountability, and strategic decision-making in the local public sector, where her contributions directly affect communities that she has grown to love. Learn more: https://www.gfoa.org/scholarship-spotlight-crystal-jordan

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Apply by June 26 for GFOA's Summer Leadership Academy in Chicago, August 23–28. This immersive, weeklong experience is designed for state and local government finance professionals looking to strengthen their leadership skills through interactive sessions, real-world case studies, self-assessments, and peer collaboration. Gain practical strategies, build lasting professional connections, and earn up to 30 CPE credits. Learn more at https://www.gfoa.org/leadership-academy-chicago

As we prepare to welcome thousands of delegates to GFOA's 120th Annual Conference in Chicago in less than two weeks, we'd like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to the more than 300 speakers who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Your presentations, insights, and willingness to give back help make this conference one of the premier learning experiences in public finance. Thank you for investing your time, supporting your peers, and helping move the profession forward. We'll see you at !

Congratulations to academic scholarship recipient Sovandany Wang. Sovandany will receive $10,000 through GFOA's Betty Jo Harker Professional Development Scholarship. She is an accountant for the City of Los Alamitos and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Long Beach, deepening her understanding of how public institutions function and how they can better serve their communities. Learn more at https://www.gfoa.org/scholarship-spotlight-sovandany-wang.

What sessions are generating the most buzz heading into ?

Based on attendee favorites in the official conference app, these are currently the five most-saved sessions for GFOA's 120th Annual Conference in Chicago:

⭐Accounting and Auditing Year in Review
⭐Money, Myths, and Misinformation: Making Government Finance Make Sense
⭐All Eyes on Revenue Recognition
⭐Unpacking GASB 103
⭐One Step at a Time: Getting Results with Incremental Process Improvement

With just weeks to go until thousands of public finance professionals gather in Chicago, attendees are already building their schedules and planning their conference experience.

Which sessions are on your must-attend list?

We continue to celebrate our academic scholarship recipients. Today, we give a special congratulations to Staci Vigil, recipient of $10,000 through our Betty Jo Harker Professional Development Scholarship. Staci works as an accountant for the City of Marion, Iowa, where she supports financial operations that help guide the city’s continued growth and stability. Her experience in municipal finance has strengthened her appreciation for the role thoughtful budgeting plays in serving the community.

She is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in finance at the University of Dubuque, building on her foundation in public finance as she works toward future leadership in local government. Learn more at https://www.gfoa.org/scholarship-spotlight-staci-vigil.

Congratulations to another new Certified Public Finance Officer! Wendy Irwin, CPA, CPFO, finance manager for West Slope Water District, started her certification journey after thoughtful consideration about how it could enhance her long and successful career. Transitioning from private industry to the public sector revealed new areas to explore and master, and with the encouragement of her organization’s leadership, she embraced the challenge as an opportunity for growth. Through the certification process, Wendy gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of public finance, building a foundation of knowledge she can apply across the many financial responsibilities she oversees in a small government setting. Learn more: https://www.gfoa.org/cpfo-spotlight-wendy-irwin