WASHINGTON –
Emilie Herold-Webber, Deputy G8 with the U.S. Army 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, made a memorable entrance at the 2024 Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) Professional Development Institute in Phoenix. She was leading her group of first-time PDI participants through the convention center when she caught the attention of Hon. Caral Spangler, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller. "You’re with so many people!" Spangler remarked when she noticed Herold-Webber's group.
Herold-Webber, who joined the 20th CBRNE Command G8 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., two years ago, sees immersing her team in the PDI culture as a way to foster a sense of belonging to a broader purpose within the Army and the Department of Defense. "They have to understand that they are part of a bigger and more important mission than even the mission that they're currently involved in," she said.
Encouraging her staff to attend Army Community Day together and then explore breakout sessions independently, Herold-Webber created an environment of shared experiences and collective learning. “Every day, we would meet for breakfast, and they would just tell the most amazing stories,” she said.
Read on to explore the unique perspectives of first-time PDI attendees from Herold-Webber’s team. These individual narratives paint a vivid picture of the PDI’s impact on understanding their role within the Army and DoD and building this unique community. (For more details on Army initiatives discussed at PDI, see: https://www.army.mil/article/279374)
Lesley Ashley
One year into her civilian role after transitioning from a contractor position, 20th CBRNE HQ G8 budget analyst Lesley Ashley found herself navigating a world brimming with new possibilities. Ashley’s skills have undergone a substantial transformation, and she describes herself as “a completely different analyst” since starting with the team.
“There are so many things that we do and contribute to. We work with Soldiers side-by-side, so it feels very nice to see that our actions are actually helping the warfighter. It’s important work, and I can see it come to fruition.”
The decision to attend the PDI event was an opportunity to step out of her day-to-day environment and into a new realm where she could mingle with peers across ranks and specialties. “It was more than what I expected, really,” Ashley said. “I didn’t know there was going to be so many senior people and so many ranges of ranks and jobs. It was very nice to see that there are so many people in the financial management community,” which made her realize that future defense FM job opportunities are everywhere.
With an open-minded approach, Ashley sought out sessions that would deepen her financial management knowledge. The Army Community Day opening session, bolstered by high-profile speakers like Hon. Spangler and her military deputy, Lt. Gen. Paul Chamberlain, resonated with her role and helped put into perspective why the audit matters.
Ashley’s key takeaway from the 2024 SDFM PDI was its multifaceted benefits—from enhancing professional networks to gaining fresh perspectives and sharing insights. Her advice for those considering the PDI: “Definitely go. Go to as many classes as possible and even the social events, which make the conference a little less formal.”
Janita Sims
Janita Sims, a 20th CBRNE Command HQ G8 financial management analyst on the verge of transitioning to an accountant role, has navigated the FM realm since 1999. For Sims, the sense of completion that comes from closing out prior year contracts and aiding her team with reports for current funding is incredibly fulfilling.
“I love to see when we’re able to get in touch with vendors and contractors and close out funding, so we can return it or possibly use it for something else. That’s the fun part for me,” she said.
Sims eagerly accepted Herold-Webber’s invitation to PDI, having heard many great things about it. Despite working in financial management for a considerable time, she had only learned about the PDI a couple of years ago and felt she had been missing out on this valuable experience.
Her approach to PDI was strategic; “I tried to pick sessions I knew were of interest to me and would possibly help me with my job or help me with my career,” she said.
Two sessions about the Risk Management Internal Control Program — “Overview of the DoD RMIC Process and the Green Book” and “RMIC: The Future of ICEP [internal control evaluation plan] & Best Practices” — provided Sims with new insights, particularly regarding Army program requirements for the upcoming fiscal year, where she learned about additional documentation needs.
She described the PDI as an eye-opening experience, especially when reconnecting with people she hadn't seen in 15 years. “It was really good to see people I used to work with when I was in uniform and when I was out,” she said.
For those considering attending future PDIs, Sims advises thorough preparation: "Read through the entire agenda and plan ahead instead of getting there and trying to figure out where to go." She also encourages others to advocate with their supervisors for the chance to attend “because it’s so worth it.”
Staff Sgt. Pheng Thao
Senior budget analyst Staff Sgt. Pheng Thao’s journey at the PDI was one of discovery and learning. Although initially skeptical about the value of such conferences, fearing they might cater only to "big wigs," his experience turned out to be enlightening.
Thao joined the 20th CBRNE S8 in August 2022, a continuation of his career as a 36B finance Soldier that began in 2012. "The most rewarding part of the job is that you can actually make decisions and execute stuff that will affect whole entire organizations … so your role actually matters,” he said.
Poised to shift from tactical skills to strategic approaches, Thao’s goal is to standardize processes and increase efficiency in his section. He attended several PDI breakout sessions on specialized topics like data analytics, continuous auditing, and risk monitoring. "I noticed that I got a lot of tools from different services like the Navy, the Coast Guard, that could accomplish things differently,” Thao said. “I realized I could actually apply that to my position working in Army budget.”
Engaging with senior leadership, including Lt. Gen. Chamberlain, and networking with colleagues that he hadn’t seen in years who work overseas or in different echelons gave Thao a broader understanding of common frustrations and potential solutions.
Department of Homeland Security Acting Chief Financial Officer Stacy Marcott shared an anecdote about resourcefulness during the SDFM general session “Charting the Course: DHS’s Roadmap to a Clean Audit” that struck a chord with Thao, as he often sees resource imbalances and inefficiencies within the Army's operations. He believes that bringing new ideas and talent into the budgetary processes could mitigate these inefficiencies and contribute to more effective financial management.
Thao’s PDI experience was profoundly enriching, opening his eyes to innovative ideas applicable to his Army role. “PDI showed me the bigger picture and sparked a little fire in me to hunt down these tools … and increase my networking to accumulate a list of people and organizations to reach out to when we don’t have that knowledge in our office,” he said. Thao, no longer skeptical of PDI’s benefits, added, “I would love to go again because I believe every year will be a little bit different.”
William Ruffin
With a background as a cost accountant for the Defense Health Agency spanning nearly 15 years, William Ruffin transitioned to his current role as a budget analyst with the Army’s 52nd Ordnance Group S8 at Fort Campbell, Ky., about seven months ago. His move marked a shift within the same FM realm, but it was his first opportunity to experience PDI—an event he had heard of but never had the chance to attend.
“When the opportunity presented itself, I had no choice but to jump on it,” he said. “Now I had the chance to actually see it and enjoy it and take it all in for myself.”
Ruffin’s PDI experience started before the event was officially underway. Delayed at the airport due to inclement weather in Dallas, he said that the crowded gate of fellow conference-goers from places including New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., became a hub of spontaneous networking sessions.
Once at the conference, the casual yet engaging atmosphere was a departure from the reserved classroom setting he was expecting. Ruffin said that Herold-Weber facilitated introductions and conversations with other attendees. This opened doors to meet new contacts and reconnect with colleagues from DHA, reinforcing the idea that the financial management community is open and willing to share knowledge and support one another.
Ruffin found inspiration for his future professional development during the session “Paving Your Career Path: A Cycle of Learning for Financial Managers,” where Syracuse University Director of Defense Programs Thomas Constable discussed the Defense Comptrollership Program and executive education short courses aligned to DOD financial management and Certified Defense Financial Manager requirements. “If we’re willing to put forth the effort, the government is willing to help us achieve our professional goals and certifications that we might not have considered due to financial constraints or other factors,” Ruffin said.
Reflecting on his experience, Ruffin recommends PDI to others, emphasizing the importance of being receptive to change and understanding the rationale behind new directives. The PDI serves as a reminder that continuous learning and collaboration are the keys to success in the field of financial management.
Cheryl Morgan
Cheryl Morgan, a budget analyst with the 48th Chemical Brigade at Fort Cavazos, Tex., who has over a decade of experience in the financial management field, discovered the expansive nature of the PDI.
“What PDI really did for me is it showed the connection of what I'm doing sitting at my desk, where I'm just taking care of our Soldiers. But then you can see the big picture of it all at the conference," she said.
One of the most impactful sessions for Morgan was “Women Leading in DoD: Safeguarding Mission Delivery and Knowledge Management through Effective Succession Planning and Strategic Mentorship,” a panel of influential DoD financial management women leaders — including the Army’s Brig. Gen. Paige Jennings — who discussed their successes, strategies, and lessons learned in developing future women leaders. "As women, we have to lift one another up; we have to take care of each other,” Morgan said. The session reinforced the message that women can achieve any role they aspire to within the DoD, a significant shift from past norms.
Inspired by what she learned, Morgan decided to pursue the CDFM certification, a step she had been contemplating. "I came back and told my supervisor that I drank the Kool-Aid," she said. It also solidified her decision to remain in the budget field rather than return to military pay.
Morgan unequivocally recommended attending PDI. “It was a wonderful environment there. Even though there was a lot of brass walking around, you didn’t feel intimidated," she said. “It was very much just a meeting of the minds, and I appreciated that.”
Charletta Hammons
Charletta Hammons embarked on her Army FM career in 2015, leading to her current position as a budget analyst at the CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity (CARA) S8 in Huntsville, Ala. While she had virtually attended PDI twice, this year marked her first in-person attendance, an opportunity she was eager to embrace after hearing Herold-Weber speak so highly of the experience.
Like Morgan, Hammons found immense value in the “Women Leading in DoD” session. "Their confidence and encouragement to keep going and not back down or shy away from opportunities was phenomenal," she recalled. “It was a packed house — standing room only.”
The PDI also served as a reunion of sorts for Hammons, who finally had the opportunity to meet with colleagues from Germany that she had frequently spoken to via phone or MS Teams but never met in person. “I told my daughter that this conference was like being on a cruise,” she recalled. “If there was a table full of people with one open chair, they were like, ‘oh, come sit with us.’”
Looking ahead, she plans to visit the PDI website to view recordings of the sessions she missed. She advised those considering attending to go without hesitation, emphasizing the impromptu learning and networking opportunities that come with being attending in person. “It’s a small world, and everyone seems very passionate about what they do,” she said.
The Big Easy Beckons
The collective reflections of the 20th CBRNE team underscore the value of the SDFM PDI as an investment in one’s career and the benefits that come from stepping into a space designed to foster excellence in defense financial management. Herold-Webber’s emphasis on including first-time participants has created a sense of camaraderie and support among her staff, which is invaluable in a field that thrives on collaboration and shared expertise. Further, PDI provided a new, enhanced perspective—both inspiring and humbling what we all do. She plans to bring a new group of employees to next year’s PDI in New Orleans, further reinforcing the foundation of a robust and dynamic financial management workforce.
“One of the most awesome things that can happen as a supervisor is when you walk out on the [office] floor and you hear people working hard and talking and discussing. And then you hear laughter. And then, all of a sudden, you hear creativity, and ingenuity, and this transformation working through because you gave them the opportunity to do that,” Herold-Webber said.
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Note: This article was originally published in the Society of Defense Financial Management's Armed Forces Comptroller Journal (Summer 2024) and is reprinted with permission.