Voting for the 2023 Board of Directors Election is now open! Please cast your vote for one candidate each for President-Elect; Board Member – North; Board Member – South; and Board Member – Commercial. Voting closes October 31, 2023.
 
All members in good standing, regardless of member type, may vote.

Nominee for President-Elect
(Northern California)

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

In consideration of this nomination statement, I reflected back to my Board member nomination statement where I identified my priorities as

1) maximizing the leadership and experience of CSMFO’s membership to guide other members in their career development and

2) finding ways to educate others on the rewarding opportunities to be found in municipal finance work. I am proud that the work I have done for this organization over the last seven years has consistently aligned with these priorities.

As I look to the next three years, I find that these two priorities continue to be the cornerstones of my focus albeit from a different perspective. I still believe that the colleague next to us at a conference/training, is our greatest resource for the challenges we face; you are the subject matter experts and leaders who ensure our growth as an organization, as a professional, and a person. In consideration of what these priorities mean to the organization as a whole, I plan to focus on the following goals:

1) Strengthen the existing programs benefitting membership- CSMFO’s vision of being the preeminent resource for promoting excellence in government finance can only be achieved by supporting, evaluating, and improving the programs on which our members rely.

2) Grow the leadership team- CSMFO volunteers have done a phenomenal job of keeping our organization on the leading edge of providing resources for public finance professionals. These resources would benefit from the perspectives, experience, and engagement of new members of leadership.

3) Succession planning for the profession- The benefits of engaging individuals in the benefits of municipal finance work cannot be understated. Not only do we need a pathway for students and entry-level professionals, but it’s imperative that we guide them with the right resources so that the excellence for which we strive is unwavering. Additionally, members who have participated in outreach events have found that it reignites their passion for why we have committed ourselves to this work.

I look forward to helping guide this organization for the next three years and would be honored to serve in this capacity.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, Finance and Marketing
  • Boston College, Carroll School of Management – May 2002
  • Master’s in Public Administration, Public Management
  • California State University, East Bay – June 2013

Professional Experience

  • City of Lafayette- Asst. Director of Administrative Services (eff. Jul. 2019)/Financial Services Manager, Mar. 2014 – current
  • City of Walnut Creek- Senior Accountant, Sept. 2006 – Mar. 2014 (Interim Finance Manager for 10 months)
  • Town of Moraga- Finance Manager / Deputy Town Clerk, Sept. 2003 – Sept. 2006 and Assistant to Town Manager / Finance Sept. 2002 – Sept. 2003

CSMFO Involvement

  • Member since 2004
  • Membership Benefits Committee Member 2013
  • Annual Conference Host Committee 2013
  • East Bay / S. F. Chapter Chair 2016, Vice Chair 2013-2015
  • Board member 2017-2019: Developed statewide approach to student engagement, reactivated two dormant chapters
  • Volunteer of the Year – 2019
  • Developed first virtual conference format for the 2021 Annual Conference
  • Student Engagement Committee Chair 2020-2021: Implemented plan for student engagement
  • Student Engagement Committee Senior Advisor 2022-2023
  • Membership Benefits Committee Chair 2020-2022: Led formation of the cohort program and virtual engagement opportunities, re-establishment of the mentorship program, development of CSMFO Connect and the commercial member roundtables, clarification of member-specific benefits, and development of new fee structure
  • Membership Committee Senior Advisor 2023
  • Annual Conference Program Committee Vice Chair 2022-2023

Other Professional Affiliations

  • Cal-ICMA – member of the Talent Development Team focused on the recruitment, retention,
    and development of government employees – 2019
  • California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission – Commissioner, appointed by the State Controller for 2022-2025
  • GFOA – Member since 2004
  • Municipal Management Association of Northern California – Member since 2006, Winter Forum Planning 2011

Nominee for Board
(Commercial)

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

I vividly remember the first CSMFO conference that I attended almost a decade ago. As I left my apartment, I kissed my husband and baby girl and told my husband that I was headed to a municipal finance officer conference, to which he responded sarcastically, “sounds fun.” As the Thursday night event kicked off and I found myself dancing and singing karaoke with municipal finance officers, I thought to myself, “I found my people.” This is what CSMFO means to me, and ever since that moment, I have tried my best to contribute to the strength of this organization by volunteering for various committees and encouraging our firm’s continued support and sponsorship.

As this will be the first year that commercial members have the opportunity to serve on the CSMFO Board of Directors, it is important that we demonstrate we can provide unique value to the organization as part of its leadership. There’s no question that commercial sponsors play a prominent role in the success of the annual conference. However, increasing revenues from commercial sponsors through annual memberships will enhance resources to serve the mission of CSMFO throughout the year. Therefore, one of my primary goals for the upcoming term will be to explore and implement strategies for increasing commercial memberships.

Finally, as I believe that I’m not the only one that finds CSMFO members to be “their people,” I want to help ensure that the connection we feel to each other and to the organization is not compromised despite having grown tremendously. There’s no need to fix what’s not broken, but to the extent that we can find new ways to connect with each other—through widespread use of technology or re-envisioning the chapter structure—I would like to champion that. Thank you!

Education

  • BA from Stanford University
  • MBA from Columbia Business School
  • MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work

Professional Experience

Municipal Financial Advisor

CSMFO Involvement

Host Committees, Communications Committee, CSMFO Chapter Meetings

Other Professional Affiliations

  • Women in Public Finance, Asian Americans in Public Finance

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

It is an honor to be considered for CSMFO’s Commercial Member Board seat. Through my participation in CSMFO events, chapter meetings, committee meetings and Board meetings, I have come to realize the energy and passion of its’ members and volunteers are what make CSMFO an extraordinary organization. I hope to channel the energy and passion of my fellow members in my role as a CSMFO Board member to further strengthen our organization.

If I were elected to CSMFO’s Board of Directors, I would focus on building off the momentum of the Commercial Member Roundtable by improving the membership experience for commercial members in keeping with CSMFO’s values. I see areas of opportunity with student engagement and career development to offer exposure to career paths in the private sector for organizations that support local governments. I would advocate for best practices and novel ways for our commercial members to engage with the CSMFO community. Furthermore, I would bring new ideas and work to implement all strategic goals as outlined by the Board.

I look forward to engaging on new CSMFO initiatives and working with the Board. I appreciate your consideration for my candidacy.

Education

  • M.B.A. – Post University
  • B.A. Political Science – University of Connecticut

Professional Experience

I have worked in a variety of finance dedicated roles throughout my professional career. For the past eight years, I have worked in roles dedicated to municipal finance. From 2015 to 2020, I worked for the Bank of New York Mellon serving as bond trustee for local governments. Since 2020, I have worked for Chandler Asset Management helping public agencies optimize their investment programs.

CSMFO Involvement

I have been a member of CSMFO since 2015. I began volunteering in 2020 with CSMFO’s Membership Committee and helped launch CSMFO’s Commercial Member Roundtable. I am the Chair for CSMFO’s Commercial Partner Committee and we are exploring a number of initiatives to enhance the membership experience for commercial members.

Other Professional Affiliations

I am a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), California Municipal Treasurer’s Association (CMTA) and associate member of the California Treasurer Tax-Collector’s Association. I served as Commercial Member liaison for CMTA from 2021 to 2022.

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

As a board member of CSMFO, I would like to make a solid contribution to the organization while being mindful of any potential conflicts of interest for all commercial members.

To be succinct, I summarize my ideas and goals as follows:

  1. Set a good example as the first commercial Board member.
  2. Advocate, potentially, for an additional commercial Board member or two, when appropriate and feasible.
  3. Ensure that the Code of Ethics and proper protocols are followed by all commercial members.
  4. Participate in the overall development of the organization and pursue its strategic goals.
  5. Support activities that promote good financial and fiscal practices at all local government agencies.
  6. Act proactively as a liaison to the CSDA, Cal Cities, CSAC, CalSACA, as well as other relevant local government organizations in California to foster good relationships and positive change.

I believe my decades of financially-sound work experience, education in finance and public policy, previous Board member roles, and advocacy for good government policies will support these goals and any tenure on the CSMFO Board.

Education

  • Masters of Public Administration (MPA), SFSU
  • Bachelor’s of Science (BS) – Finance, USC
  • Certificate of International Economics and Business Study, Copenhagen Business School.

Professional Experience

Managing Director, NBS: Consultant to local government agencies across California including cities, counties, special districts, school districts and others, 25 years.

Prior work experience as Finance Director and member of Strategic Planning Group, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, 5 years. Accounting Manager, Financial Analyst, and other roles at Clorox Company, 5 years.

CSMFO Involvement

I have been an active CSMFO member for well over two decades. I was the first commercial member to be asked to be on any committee when I was asked to be on the conference planning committee by John DeRussy in 2005. I served on that committee a few times since then, and I am currently a member of the Professional Standards Committee. I have spoken at numerous CSMFO conferences, taught courses at many weekend trainings, and attended and spoke at numerous chapter meetings. From my years of experience with CSDA, I recommended Catherine and SMA to the CSMFO years ago, resulting in their long tenure managing the organization.

Other Professional Affiliations

  • Cal Cities (League) – member for years and have written articles, spoken at conferences, and helped edit the California Municipal Revenue Sources Handbook a few times, assisting Michael Coleman.
  • CSDA – have been an active member for years and was recently asked to write a primer on local government finances and revenues that published by CSDA.
  • City College of San Francisco – previously a part-time instructor in finance, business, and management classes.
  • Guest lecturer at SFSU MPA.
  • Board member, San Francisco Parks Alliance, a non-profit with multi-million-dollar budgets providing activation, building playgrounds, advocating for parks and open space, etc. 2017 to present.
  • Former Board member of Friends of the Urban Forest (San Francisco), the East Bay Center for Performing Arts in Richmond, CA, and the Haight-Divisadero Neighbors and Merchants Association in San Francisco.
  • Registered Municipal Advisor with the SEC/MSRB organizations

Nominee for Board
(Northern California)

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

I am honored to be nominated and excited to submit my candidacy statement for a seat appointment to the CSMFO Board of Directors, representing Northern California. Having dedicated my career to public finance and local government, I am committed to the vital role that CSMFO plays in shaping the future of our profession. My ideas and goals as a board member are as follows:

Education and Outreach: To attract students and professionals to our field, we must enhance our investment in robust educational programs and outreach initiatives. I propose expanding CSMFO’s efforts to collaborate with universities, community colleges, and high schools to create internship programs, mentorship opportunities, and scholarships for aspiring local government financial professionals.

Professional Development: Continuous learning is essential in our dynamic field. CSMFO does a wonderful job of promoting this. I advocate for the enhancement of its efforts, promoting comprehensive training programs and resources that empower our members to stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and changing regulations.

Advocacy and Public Awareness: It is crucial that we elevate the visibility of local governmental accounting and financial management as a rewarding and impactful career path. I propose an advocacy campaign to highlight the significance of our work in supporting vibrant communities and well-run local government organizations. This campaign will include promoting success stories of our members and participating in outreach events to raise awareness about the opportunities within our sector.

Technology and Innovation: I am interested in efforts to explore and adopt cutting-edge tools and methodologies that streamline processes, enhance transparency, simplify the arcane nature of public finance, and improve financial decision-making. By showcasing the potential for innovation in our field, we can attract individuals who are passionate about driving positive change.

Thank you again for the nomination and consideration of my candidacy.

Education

  • MPA, Price School of Public Policy, USC
  • BA, Political Science, UC Davis
  • Certificate in Governmental Accounting, University of Georgia
  • GFOA Advanced Government Finance Institute, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Professional Experience

  • Finance Director, City of Ukiah, 2016-present
  • Finance Director, City of Lakeport, 2010-2016
  • Compliance Officer/Economic Development Manager, City of Lakeport, 2008-2010
  • Department Analyst, Public Health Department, El Dorado County, 2005-2008

CSMFO Involvement

  • North Coast Chapter Chair, current
  • Professional Standards Committee Chair, current
  • Student Engagement Committee, member, current

Other Professional Affiliations

  • GFOA
  • AICPA
  • CalCPA
  • ICMA
  • California Board of Accountancy, CPA license 122312

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

I am honored to be a candidate for the CSMFO Board of Directors for 2024-2025. My first CSMFO conference was the 2012 conference at Disneyland. After experiencing the quality of the seminars, the level of helpfulness exuding from the participants, and the great networking events put on by the organization, I said “Wow!” This experience led me to begin volunteering in committees, at the chapter level, and even as a conference speaker.

One of the main things that drew me to CSMFO was the high quality of training and resources for professionals like you and me who were looking for more training in any given subject, or more guidance on new transactions. Maintaining the quality of these resources is of critical importance to me.

Having the opportunity to interact with so many talented leaders is another invaluable benefit I have received from CSMFO. I enjoy learning from professionals who have achieved great things in their careers, as well as those who are at earlier points in their journeys, and CSMFO provides so many opportunities for us to exchange knowledge, experience, and wisdom.

As a Board Member, I will continue CSMFO’s mission by supporting existing educational programs that have proven to be valuable to our membership, as well as looking for innovative ways to provide content and reach our members current, past, and future. CSMFO has been valuable for me, and I will work to make sure as many professionals in our field, and even those that are just government-curious can access that value, as well as opportunities to say “Wow,” just like I did.

CSMFO continues to have many exciting projects for 2024 and beyond. I look forward to working with our volunteer leadership in a committee member and chapter capacity, and potentially as your representative on the Board.

Education

  • MBA, Washington State University
  • BS Business Administration (Accounting), San Diego State University

Professional Experience

I entered the field of municipal finance over 15 years ago as an auditor of local governments in 2007.
I joined the City of Tustin in 2011 as an Accountant, kicking off my career in public service. In 2016, I returned to my native Northern California along with my family, and began working in the Citrus Heights community, first for six years with the Citrus Heights Water District and recently as the Accounting Manager for the City of Citrus Heights.

CSMFO Involvement

  • 2015 – 2018, 2023 Administration Committee, Member
  • 2019 – 2020 Administration Committee, Vice Chair
  • 2019, 2023 Sacramento Valley Chapter, Vice Chair
  • 2020 – 2022 Sacramento Valley Chapter, Chair
  • 2021 – 2022 Administration Committee, Chair
  • 2021 Technology Committee, Member
  • 2021 Ad Hoc Committee (Ex. Director Recruitment Firm), Member
  • 2022 Host Committee, Member
  • 2022-23 Speaker, CSMFO Conference
  • 2023 Student Engagement Committee, Vice Chair
  • 2023 Speaker, CSMFO Webinars

Other Professional Affiliations

Nominee for Board
(Southern California)

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

I appreciate the opportunity and consideration to be a candidate for this year’s Board of Directors election. Through all levels of my involvement with CSMFO I have felt that the people are the best part of the organization. My experience has been that CSMFO is a group of passionate government finance professionals willing to share experiences and knowledge creating an organization that takes pride in and supports the successes of its membership.

If elected I will work to continue to harness the welcoming spirit of CSMFO. To do so, my goals will be to continue to support CSMFO’s primary mission to serve as the preeminent resource for promoting excellence in government finance, to continue the momentum surrounding outreach efforts to members at all career stages and to continue support the committees and chapters that provide engaging and relevant professional development and networking opportunities. Engaging and supporting all levels of membership with these goals is vital to succession planning for CSMFO.

As a member of the Board, I will embrace new ideas, be open-minded and engage in direct feedback to shape the continued and future successes of this great organization. Constant evaluation and learning will be integral to continue the Organization’s ability to adapt and evolve with its membership and create clear paths for greater involvement in CSMFO for the next generation of government finance professionals.

I look forward to the opportunity to help support the membership of CSMFO and help achieve the mission of excellence in government finance. Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy for Board Member.

Education

  • B.S. Business Administration/Accounting – California State University San Bernardino
  • Certified Government Financial Manager – Association of Government Accountants

Professional Experience

My municipal finance career started in 2008 in public accounting auditing local California governments. In 2012, I transitioned from auditor of local governments to a local government employee joining the City of Rialto as Senior Accountant and working my way up to Finance Manager. Then in 2018, I joined my current agency the City of Glendora as Assistant Finance Director.

CSMFO Involvement

During my time in the City of Rialto, I was introduced to CSMFO Chapter meetings and the best professional conference I had ever attended! The best part of CSMFO is the people, and how included this group of professionals makes you feel. My CSMFO volunteer experience started in 2018 after joining the City of Glendora. The Finance Director of the City of Glendora was the Chair of the San Gabriel Valley Chapter without a Vice Chair. I attended one meeting and subsequently volunteered as Vice Chair for the San Gabriel Valley Chapter.

Since 2018 I have served in leadership roles in the San Gabriel Valley Chapter and the Administration Committee. This volunteer experience has allowed me to meet so many great people and to catch up with all of those individuals at various CSMFO meetings and the annual conference. After each conference I am always reminded that the members of CSMFO and the benefits that CSMFO provides its members are why I am glad I became more involved with this great organization to be part of something amazing.

  • Member of CSMFO since 2016
  • San Gabriel Valley Chapter: Chair (2021-2022) and Vice Chair (2018-2020)
  • Administration Committee: Chair (2023) and Vice Chair (2022)

Other Professional Affiliations

  • Member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
  • Member of the California Municipal Treasurer’s Association (CMTA)

Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO

I am deeply passionate about learning and continued development, not only for myself, but those around me. This passion has led me to become involved in CSMFO through the years with a focus on the organization’s mission of promoting excellence in financial management through innovation, continuing education, and the professional development of members, most recently through participation in the Membership Committee and development of the Mentorship Program.

I have been fortunate to have developed a strong support base throughout the organization and would like to contribute that to newer and up and coming members.

If elected, I would like to focus on “bridging the gap” between committees to avoid duplicative efforts and focus on the needs and wants of the members at large. I would also like to focus on attracting CSMFO leaders of tomorrow by learning and listening to ensure that CSMFO membership not only grows in numbers, but more significantly in active engagement and participation of current members and member agencies.

I think that it is important for the board to focus on long-term goals and develop a strategic plan that expands beyond one year at a time and that the plan continues to support the mission of CSMFO.

Education

  • MBA – University of Redlands

Professional Experience

Nineteen years of Government Finance, including 16 years in General Accounting and 3 in Budgeting.

CSMFO Involvement

  • Member – Career Development Committee (2015)
  • Chapter Chair – Inland Empire (2018)
  • Chapter Chair – Channel Counties (2020-2023)
  • Member – Membership Committee (2022)
  • Committee Chair – Membership Committee (2023)

Other Professional Affiliations

  • GFOA Member (2016-2023)
  • Committee Member – WPFN Mentorship (2023)