Margaret Moggia is the Executive Manager of Finance for West Basin Municipal Water District, current CSMFO Past President, Program Committee Chair, and Senior Advisor to the Membership Committee. She has been a CSMFO member since 2005 with a robust volunteer resume and lifetime friendships made along the way. In her own words, she tells us why staying at one organization can allow for diversity in your career.

1. What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show and why?

I love a good light-hearted mystery – so Monk, Pysch on TV – love their idiosyncrasies, but that really lends to their intelligence. And then baking-themed murder mystery books. Current author – Jenn McKinlay.

2. How has a previous or current mentor impacted your career?

I have been fortunate to have many great mentors through CSMFO – and I am so fortunate to work with many through the Program Committee – so thank you to Dennis, Harriet, Karan, Laura, Mary, Rich, Scott, and Viki. Your energy and commitment to delivering high-quality content to our members is always amazing to witness. I also want to say thank you to the many CSMFO Presidents I get to work with from John, Drew, Joan, Steve and Marcus who are equally committed to supporting the membership, and working with them has allowed me to contribute and challenge ideas to make sure we continue to deliver on our promise to the members. And finally, the other individuals who I also work with to set the direction of the organization – some of them already mentioned, but also want to say thank you to David, Pam and Stephen. With each of these names, I feel fortunate to say their friendship has positively impacted me.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety of the job – I have been at my organization for over 25 years (yes, I started when I was 4 – LOL) so the ability to share perspectives or historical context has allowed me to become more active in a variety of topics from developing new programs, developing policies and procedures or participate in important negotiations. At present, I am enjoying connecting with our newer staff to help them understand the financial picture of the organization. I feel the more you know, the better you can understand and contribute.

4. Knowing what you know now, if you were new to government finance what would you do differently when you started your career?

I would have engaged more with the associations – not just CSMFO but other ones too that provide a broader sense of the knowledge and tools to perform my job. I also really have gained a lot by having conversations with my staff and peers. The more I understand their job, the better I can do my job.

5. What is your current position and what do your children or friends think you do at work?

My current title is Executive Manager of Finance but sometimes I just say CFO – people understand that. Well, since the pandemic, my family see me at meetings (virtually now) ALL DAY long. At least, I don’t have to run between floors anymore, just one click and I am on the next call. That said, I need to find a way to get up and about.

6. How do you keep up to date with upcoming regulations?

Through my extended staff – thank you to my auditors, bond counsel, and municipal advisors, I have been fortunate to get an executive summary that allows me to dive deeper. But this also allows me to find growth opportunities with my staff to have them learn. But, I am also fortunate to be engaged with GFOA and through their Federal Liaison group and best practices, I am able to keep informed.

7. How do you motivate staff and yourself?

For me: Simply stated – To Do Lists, and keeping my inbox in Outlook to a relatively low count.; however, with my staff, I try to encourage them to see the bigger picture and understand how their role supports the organization. But at the end of the day, I enjoy contributing from the routine to more complex tasks that comes across my desk.

8. What has been the most challenging time in your finance career and how did you overcome it?

With the support of my team, getting through a change in organizational structure when one staff supporting two legal entities essentially went through a separation. It challenged me both professionally, emotionally and technically. There were days it was tough, but I just took it one day at a time.

9. What is something about you that no one would ever guess or expect?

Never learned to ride a bike – but one of my favorite sports to watch is the Tour de France. Go figure.

10. What advice do you have for a CSMFO member on getting more involved with the organization?

I have served as a volunteer to CSMFO for the past 15 years, and it all started because I was asked. So, I am asking you – Get Involved. The time spent has been rewarding, more than rewarding – it has been life changing. It has developed my confidence, it has broadened my network, and has given me the skills to think creatively and more strategically.