Call For Speakers: Women Rise Together—Leadership Through Collaboration

We’re looking for WPFN members with a story to share

GFOA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Washington, DC, is your opportunity to inspire and empower others by presenting a case study in our WPFN concurrent session, "Women Rise Together: Leadership Through Collaboration."

This fifty-minute session will showcase how women in public finance are leading collaboration, mentorship, and inclusion initiatives within their organizations. We’re looking for WPFN members attending the conference who can share real-world examples of:

• Cross-departmental knowledge-sharing initiatives that increase collaboration and innovation.
• Women in leadership programs that foster growth and representation in government finance.
• Mentorship or coaching programs supporting succession planning and team development.

How to Apply:
Email your case study or program details to WPFN staff liaison, Natalie Laudadio. Submissions should 1) highlight your initiative, 2) its outcomes, and 3) how it could inspire other women in government finance.

Learn more about the session below. We look forward to hearing from you!

Women Rise Together: Leadership Through Collaboration with GFOA’s WPFN
In alignment with GFOA's Women's Public Finance Network's (WPFN) 2025–2026 theme, "Rise Together," this session focuses on how women in public finance can leverage their leadership skills to foster collaboration and mentorship within their organizations and communities. Attendees will explore strategies for building inclusive networks, empowering peers, and sharing knowledge to collectively elevate their teams and the profession. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, participants will leave inspired to apply their leadership journey toward uplifting others. Open to all conference attendees.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze case studies that illustrate successful leadership-sharing initiatives in government finance.
• Identify actionable strategies to mentor, coach, or support colleagues in government finance.
• Apply collaboration techniques to create more inclusive and effective team environments.
• Develop a personalized plan for implementing mentorship or peer support practices in their workplace.

Ideal Panelists:

• Government Finance Leaders: Women who have successfully implemented mentorship or collaboration programs in their workplaces.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialists in Government: Experts who can provide insights into inclusive leadership and its impact.
• Emerging Government Leaders: Early- to mid-career professionals who can share experiences of benefiting from mentorship or leadership opportunities in their own government.

Session Details:

• Date, Time, and Room Location (TBD for the conference).
• CPE Field of Study: Personal Development
• CPE Level: Basic/Overview