GFOA Announces IPWEA Scholarship Winners

In June, GFOA offered two scholarships for the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia’s (IPWEA) flagship training, Professional Certificate in Infrastructure Financial Management. More than seventy GFOA members applied for the scholarship. GFOA is proud to announce that the winners chosen were Lucy Dong of the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District and Biridiana Bishop of the City of Webster City, Iowa.

Dong is helping to lead a “start-up” governmental entity focused on working between jurisdictions on enhancing failing infrastructure or engaging in new projects that enhance resiliency and environmental sustainability. 

Bishop is the Assistant City Manager of a community at an inflection point. The City has an aging infrastructure and has depended on techniques and methods that may not be replicable in the future.

These individuals will be incredible ambassadors for GFOA in this international class.  Following the six months of training, they will bring back what they learn to advance the work around asset management for their governments and the entire GFOA membership.

Earlier this year, GFOA and the IPWEA entered into an agreement to advance asset management training.  Australia is the international leader in governmental asset management and has been leading the way in national standards and training for government finance professionals in this work.

GFOA is working to provide more opportunities for training around asset management.