Two Paths, One Trajectory: Cecilia Simchak’s GFOA Journey
Two Paths, One Trajectory: Cecilia Simchak’s GFOA Journey
DownloadEarly-career professionals in local government finance often step into complex environments of lean teams, rising expectations, and rapidly changing systems. For Cecilia Simchak, assistant director of finance for the Town of Needham, Massachusetts, that reality came sharply into focus when she made the transition from managing finances in public works to a leadership role in the town’s central finance department.
That shift prompted her to seek perspective beyond her organization. “I was hoping to find a mentor outside my municipality. Ideally, I could reach out at any time and share, ‘I'm facing this challenge and noticing these things. How do you lead people who might have more experience than you?’”
Publication Date: December 2025
Author: Adam Powell
