AFERM Announces 2025 ERM Awards for Government Entities

AFERM Announces 2025 ERM Awards for Government Entities, Expanding Recognition to State and Local Levels 

The Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management (AFERM) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 ERM Awards for Government, celebrating outstanding achievements in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) across all levels of the public sector. This year, AFERM expanded its awards program to include state and local government entities, reflecting the growing impact and importance of ERM throughout the public sector.  

Notable Achievement Award Recipients 

• City of Norfolk, Virginia
  The City of Norfolk is recognized for its innovative “Risk Management Day” initiative. This annual event fosters a risk-aware culture by integrating training and discussions on organizational risks, improving communication across departments, and leveraging real data to mitigate liability exposures. Risk Management Day has become a foundational step for advancing ERM in local government, featuring interactive sessions with risk owners and stakeholders in both virtual and in-person formats. The initiative efficiently utilizes existing resources and expertise to address emerging and persistent risks, breaking down organizational silos and enhancing service delivery. 

• Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 
  The Port Authority’s ERM team is honored for its 2023–2024 Comprehensive Enterprise Risk Assessment. This effort provided a real-time, enterprise-wide view of risks, integrating findings into strategic planning and operational documents. The mature ERM program, operating for 17 years, supports transparency, alignment, and proactive mitigation across a complex infrastructure portfolio. The team collaborated with senior leadership and the Board of Commissioners, using interviews, workshops, and emerging risk research to update risk profiles and prioritize risks. Their work has transformed risk reports into strategic tools that influence five-year plans, operating budgets, and capital plans, embedding ERM into agency-wide decision-making. 

Luminary Award Recipient 

• King County, Washington 
  King County is recognized with the Luminary Award for achieving an advanced level of ERM maturity and demonstrating sustained excellence in integrating ERM into organizational practices. Over the past decade, King County’s ERM program has evolved from a basic risk register to a comprehensive framework that integrates risk appetite, data-driven decision-making, and cross-agency collaboration. The program has expanded the understanding of risk beyond financial losses, uniting siloed agencies under shared risk responsibilities. Notable achievements include a pioneering risk appetite statement, a loss control program funding safety and environmental risk mitigation, and effective risk management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program continues to align risk decisions with strategic priorities and is developing guidance for managing risks related to artificial intelligence.

Dr. Karen Hardy, AFERM President, extended congratulations to the recipients for their leadership and innovation in advancing ERM practices across government, noting that, “The achievements of the award winners demonstrate the value that can be gained through the practice of risk management and demonstrate the value of collaboration, transparency, and strategic integration in public sector organizations.” 

A webinar with the award winners is planned for Tuesday, December 16, 2025. For more details, and to register, click here. 

Questions about the ERM Awards for Government can be directed to ERM-Awards@aferm.org.