AFERM Q2 2025 Newsletter President's Article

AFERM Q2 2025 Newsletter
President’s Article

The beginning of this new year has displayed the power of engagement and community when running on all four cylinders.

Being intentional certainly has resonated with AFERM in the first quarter. It all starts with leadership. We selected a President-Elect, Jacob Lee. We also retained the expertise and insights of two former Presidents. One as the newly established VP of Events – Marianne Roth – while Jason Bruno, as Past President, is playing a key role in working with Ceresa Wilson, our new Planning Committee Chair, to update AFERM’s strategic plan. This updated plan will align our goals, including our extended partnership with the state and local government community, to ensure that AFERM maintains its relevancy and sustainability while owning our unique position in the government space.

A Recent LinkedIn Survey Ranked Risk Assessment as #15 on their Top Skills List for 2025

Speaking of state and local, AFERM successfully launched its first State and Local Virtual Conference. What first seemed impossible has now been accomplished. From here, we build, and we be bold and intentional about supporting State and Local, and expanding our reach. Our post-State and Local event saw an increase in membership as well!

Another core focus for AFERM is offering revenue-driven activities to sustain the organization. With that in mind, we secured a partnership agreement with RIMS (the Risk Management Society) to provide virtual two-day prep workshops for taking the RIMS-CRMP-FED certification. This is a huge win for AFERM for two reasons: (1) the distribution of press releases by RIMS to media outlets regarding our partnership will garner further exposure and visibility, and (2) it opens a revenue stream with a lot of upside and little downside. With a set revenue share percentage, AFERM can be characterized as an elite Association specializing in upskilling the state, local, and federal government community in risk management competencies.

Risk management is needed more now than ever. We can’t shrink from our mission of filling this void as the government and other stakeholders navigate the future. No other organization does what we do.

I am so proud to lead AFERM. The membership's talent and shared passion make us so unique. Let’s continue to forge ahead, tapping into new ways of serving our membership, our community, and each other.

As always…Stay Engaged. Stay Connected.

See you soon! 
Dr. Karen Hardy