CSMFO Cohort Program Has Launched - Part 1

by Joan Michaels Aguilar, CSMFO Communications Member and HdL Principal

Cohort – one definition characterizes as a group of people banded together.

Earlier this year, you may have seen an announcement about seeking participants for CSMFO’s Inaugural Cohort Program.  The Membership Committee envisioned a pilot program of 25 government members after reviewing responses from recent member surveys looking for ways to have closer connections with fellow members and access to resources.   Perhaps you have seen or even responded to one of these CSMFO surveys in the past and wondered what happens with those results.  The overwhelming response to the program resulted in the creation of two groups that launched in May with 40+ registrants.

Throughout the term of the program, we plan to share some insights from the two coordinators of the Cohort Program, Margaret Moggia and Jennifer Wakeman, and check in with some of the program participants. Here is a refresher on the key aspects of the program:

Key Objectives:

  • Good understanding of CSMFO programs and services offered by CSMFO
  • Connection to members of CSMFO leadership
  • Relationship development with other cohort members

Term: Concludes at the Annual Conference in San Diego, February 2022

Meetings: Every 4 – 6 weeks via Zoom from 60-90 minutes

The members participating in the program range from long-time CSMFO members at cities, counties and special districts.  This column will focus on the responses received to questions sent after the first sessions.

What caught your interest to sign-up and join the program and prior to the first meeting what were your expectations?

Vicky Cao, a Management Analyst at El Segundo, shared that she had switched from the private sector to the public sector about four years ago and news of the Cohort program excited her.  She noted,  “I treat it as an opportunities for me to get to know people in the municipal government field.  Since some of them have been working in public finance for a long time and I am honored to have them as my mentors and get suggestions and advice from them on my career path.”

Jennifer Becker, Financial Services Director in Burbank, has been in municipal finance for 20 years.  Jen shared, “I’ve spent my entire career with one agency and am brand new to being a Finance Director, so I jumped at the chance to connect with others in the field.  I’ve also been wanting to learn how to get more involved with CSMFO and this seemed like a great place to start.”

Nick Kurns, Finance and Customer Service Manager at the Scotts Valley Water District, noted “I liked the idea of connecting with colleagues in a group format where we can discuss our challenges and share ideas.  This seemed like a great opportunity to network and learn.

Li Zhang, Chief Financial Officer at the Transportation Authority of Marin, has been a CSMFO member for many years and has enjoyed the resources and group support.  In her words, “I have been thinking about learning more about the operation of CSMFO with the hope to start to volunteer and give back to the group.  I thought the Cohort Program is a good first step of my plan.”

Any other thoughts to share at this time? 

Jen Becker summed it up with “I’m really pleased with the overall diversity in this group.  There are some folks that are CSMFO legends and some others very early in their careers…I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and having a chance to learn from this group of talented and motivated individuals.

Look for more information on this Program in another article later this month.

[ratemypost]

Joan Michaels Aguilar began her career in municipal government over 40 years ago and is now a Principal with the sales tax team at HdL Companies. Joan served as the 2019 CSMFO President and has worked for a variety of agencies throughout California and been active for many years in CSMFO on a variety of committees (Administration, Budget, Membership, Communications, and various Host Committees). Currently, Joan is one of the Senior Advisors of the Communications Committee. Even during these trying pandemic times, she enjoys travel and has discovered the beauty of the National Parks recently, visiting four in the past six months.