*2025 AFERM Virtual Summit Sessions
*Please note that the schedule and speakers are subject to change.

• Attendees will have the ability to earn up to 14.9 CPE Credits.
• Session recordings will be available for registered attendees after Summit concludes.
• All times listed in Eastern Time.
• View Full Speaker Bios

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21

8:45-9:00 AM | Welcome and Opening Comments
Presented By: Dr. Noha Gaber, AFERM Summit 2025 Committee Chair & Dr. Karen Hardy, AFERM President 

9:00-10:00 AM | Plenary Session 
Sponsored By: Deloitte 

Navigating Federal Transformation: Why Enterprise Risk Management is Mission-Critical in an Era of Government Reinvention - 1 CPE
Presented By: David Walker, Former Comptroller General of the United States
Join former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker for an essential conversation about the seismic shifts reshaping federal government operations and why robust Enterprise Risk Management has never been more vital to mission success. Drawing from his decade leading the Government Accountability Office and his unparalleled expertise in fiscal responsibility and government transformation, Walker will examine the unprecedented challenges facing federal agencies today, from strategic downsizing and mission realignment to evolving stakeholder expectations and resource constraints. He'll share his insightful perspective on how current federal transformation efforts compare to past government reform initiatives, the critical risk blind spots that emerge during periods of organizational change, and why traditional risk management approaches fall short in today's dynamic environment. 

Walker will explore practical strategies for embedding ERM into decision-making processes during times of uncertainty, while also addressing the cascading effects on state and local governments and how ERM can strengthen intergovernmental resilience. His reputation for "speaking truth" about fiscal realities and government effectiveness makes this a must-attend session for risk management professionals who need to anticipate, assess, and navigate the complexities of government in transition.

10:00-10:50 AM

The Need of the Hour is ERM - 1 CPE 
Presented By: Soumya Chakraverty, President and Managing Consultant of Risk Pro Solutions; Tom Brandt, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Director of Planning and Risk for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB); Tom Stanton, former member of the federal Senior Executive Service, and Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).   

With recent cutbacks and deregulation, many fear that the role and relevance of ERM in federal government is severely undermined. However, mitigation of emerging threats and putting agencies on the path to becoming leaner and more efficient requires coordination along with a balanced approach, which elevates the role of ERM. This session will be a panel discussion with experts to make a case for why ERM is the need of the hour and how should agency ERM functions rise to the challenge. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Recognize ERM's strategic value in current government environment
• Identify coordination strategies for emerging threat mitigation
• Develop approaches to elevate ERM's organizational role 

10:50-11:00 AM | Break

11:00-11:50 AM | Concurrent Education Breakouts (Earn Up to 1 CPE)

Revolutionizing Risk Management: Using GenAI to Fight Fraud - 1 CPE
Presented By: Wilmer Graham, Former Chief Risk Officer, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Retired Federal Executive | Strategic Risk Leader | Advocate for the Next Generation; Linda Miller, Co-Founder of TrackLight 
In this presentation, we explore how Generative AI is revolutionizing risk management by enhancing fraud detection, prevention, and response strategies. We'll discuss how advanced AI models can identify subtle patterns and anomalies in real time, generate synthetic fraud scenarios for training, and support intelligent analysis. Real-world use cases will demonstrate how government agencies can leverage Gen AI to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud risk tactics. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn the ways GenAI is used to build effective fraud risk management programs and achieve mission goals
• Benchmark your programs for enhanced detection capabilities, faster investigations, and proactive prevention 

Risk-Ready: Building Organizational Resilience through ERM - 1 CPE
Presented By: Tamika Puckett, CRMP,  Executive Vice President & Public Sector Practice Leader, Protecdiv, Inc.; Merline Barrington, Enterprise Risk Management Program Director at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 
In an era defined by uncertainty, resilience is no longer optional—it's a strategic imperative. Risk-Ready: Building Organizational Resilience through ERM will explore how ERM serves as a foundational framework for anticipating, adapting to, and emerging stronger from challenges. Participants will gain insights into integrating ERM into organizational culture, aligning risk intelligence with enterprise strategy, and leveraging ERM to enhance agility and long-term sustainability. Whether you're refining your risk strategy or building one from the ground up, this session will equip you with practical tools and forward-thinking perspectives to strengthen your organization's resilience. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Integrate ERM into organizational culture by implementing frameworks that embed risk intelligence into daily operations and strategic decision-making processes 
• Build sustainable resilience capabilities through ERM methodologies that enable organizations to anticipate challenges, adapt quickly, and emerge stronger from disruptions 

11:50 AM - 12:40 PM | Concurrent Education Breakouts (Earn Up to 1 CPE)

The AI Revolution in ERM: A Double-Edged Sword - 1 CPE
Presented By: Taka Ariga, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Chief Data Officer, and Chief Data Scientist; Ted Kaouk, Founder of Generative Work ; Andy Tiedeman, Senior Risk Manager at Capital One
This panel will delve into how AI is transforming ERM, exploring both its immense potential and the inherent challenges it presents. We'll discuss how AI can empower us to move from reactive to proactive risk management, predict emerging threats, and gain deeper insights from vast datasets. However, we'll also confront the critical questions around AI's ethical implications, data quality, transparency, and the need for robust governance frameworks. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Evaluate AI applications for proactive risk management 
• Address ethical and governance challenges in AI implementation 
• Develop frameworks for responsible AI integration in ERM programs 

Transform Your ERM Program from Budget Burden to Strategic Asset - 1 CPE
Presented By: Vlad Antikarov, Principal at Verea Group LLC
This session will show federal ERM leaders how to address one of their biggest challenges: proving value to skeptical executives who see risk management as pure overhead. This session introduces Real Options Analysis, an innovative cost-benefit methodology that accurately assesses ERM's value-added impact. This approach transforms budget conversations from cost-cutting discussions into strategic investment decisions. Attendees will discover practical tools to engage Agency Heads and CFOs with quantifiable risk mitigation metrics, set clear performance expectations, and definitively answer the question every ERM professional faces: "Is this ERM investment actually worth it?" 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Reframe ERM as strategic value creator by applying quantitative methodologies to calculate risk frequency and demonstrate clear return on investment to executive leadership  
• Engage executives with business-aligned risk metrics that facilitate meaningful risk/reward discussions between ERM leaders and Agency Heads/C-Suite members using data-driven approaches  

12:45-1:30 PM | Lunch and and Networking Breakout Rooms (No CPEs)

1:30-2:20 PM | Concurrent Education Breakouts (Earn Up to 1 CPE)

Value-based Management/ ERM integration - 1 CPE
Presented By: Doug Webster, Principal with TFC Consulting; Dan Chenok, President at the IBM Center for the Business of Government; Chris Mihm, Adjunct Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University
Risk is a critical element to be balanced with results sought and resources available to achieve organization mission objectives. This session will share insights on how governmental agencies can maximize value delivered to constituents by integrating strategic planning, performance management, budgeting and risk management. The need for ERM and appropriate governance structures is key part of this conversation. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Integrate risk considerations into strategic planning cycles 
• Design governance structures supporting value-based management 

Risk as a Leadership Advantage: Empowering Executive Decision-Making and Innovation - 1 CPE
Presented By: Malena Brookshire, Founder, The Brookshire Advisory Group
Effective leaders leverage risk as a strategic asset not a compliance tool. This session offers a practical approach to embedding risk into real-time C-suite decisions across strategy, budget, workforce, and innovation. Drawing on two decades of reform leadership, I share a framework to turn risk into a leadership tool that drives alignment, accelerates innovation, and helps organizations achieve results. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Embed risk intelligence into executive decision-making  
• Transform risk management into strategic leadership capability 

2:20-3:10 PM | Concurrent Education Breakouts (Earn Up to 1 CPE)

From Reactive to Proactive: Leveraging Enterprise Risk Management and Technology to Transform Program Integrity - 1 CPE 
Sponsored By: Deloitte

Presented By: John Basso, Managing Director, Deloitte; Gary Cantrell, Specialist Leader, Deloitte; Nadya Korobko, Manager, Deloitte; Mike Phillip, Senior Manager, Deloitte; Chad Rahtz, Manager, Deloitte
The importance of a robust and dynamic approach to operational efficiency and strategic resilience by managing risks across areas critical to the organization’s mission cannot be overstated. This session explores how ERM strategies can be aligned with program integrity efforts and integrated with internal controls to proactively identify, assess, and prioritize risk – leading to real-time visibility into program operations, more accurate and timely risk reporting and supporting strategic decision-making.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Embedding ERM practices within program integrity initiatives and internal control frameworks  
• Building an agile risk management framework that aligns with strategic objectives, enhances compliance, and strengthens operational resilience. 
• Implement AI-driven analytical solutions and technology tools to enhance risk identification and monitoring and enable continuous improvement.  

ERM 2030: Lessons From Financial Services for Federal Risk Leaders - 1 CPE
Presented By: Mark Watson, World Bank Consultant (Governance, Risk and Compliance Expert)
Financial institutions have been tested by risk more than most sectors—balancing financial, operational, compliance and reputational pressures while adapting to rapid transformation and technology disruption. This session highlights lessons federal agencies can adapt to their environment: how to track an evolving risk landscape, balance financial and nonfinancial risks, and strengthen the three-lines model. It will examine how ERM teams can position themselves for greater impact, address emerging challenges such as AI, and build resilience during organizational change. Finally, we will look ahead to what ERM leadership will require by 2030 to be successful. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Adapt financial services risk frameworks to federal environments, including evolving risk tracking and strengthened three-lines models  
• Balance financial and non-financial risks using integrated approaches that address operational, compliance, and reputational pressures while managing AI and technology disruption  
• Position ERM teams for strategic impact by building organizational resilience and developing leadership capabilities required for 2030 risk management success 

3:10-3:20 PM | Break 

3:20-4:10 PM | Plenary Session
Sponsored By: KPMG

The Role and Impact of Enterprise Risk Management in Efficiently Achieving Agency Outcomes - 1 CPE
Presented By: Eric Ueland, Deputy Director for Management, OMB 

In this pivotal session aligned with the Summit's "Mission Possible" theme, DDM Ueland will share how enterprise risk management is embedded within the Federal Performance Framework. As the administration's chief management officer, he'll reveal how agencies can leverage ERM frameworks to not only mitigate threats but actively drive mission achievement while optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiency. Federal risk practitioners will gain actionable intelligence on OMB's expectations, emerging guidance, and proven strategies for demonstrating ERM's direct contribution to agency outcomes and public value creation. This is an essential session for understanding how enterprise risk management fits into the broader federal management agenda and how practitioners can position their programs as indispensable tools for mission accomplishment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Integrate ERM within the Federal Performance Framework by understanding OMB's strategic expectations and leveraging enterprise risk management to drive mission achievement while optimizing resource allocation
• Demonstrate ERM's contribution to agency outcomes using proven strategies and actionable intelligence that position risk management programs as essential tools for public value creation and operational efficiency.

4:15-5:00 PM | AFERM Awards Ceremony
Individual Awards 

Organizational Awards

5:00-5:15 PM | AFERM Membership Approval of the 2026 Board of Directors and Closing Comments  
Presented By: AFERM 2025 President, Dr. Karen Hardy

Policy Disruption and Federal Risk: Navigating Executive Orders and the One Big Beautiful Bill - 1 CPE  
Sponsored By: Crowe

Presented By: Sam Twyman, Finance and Compliance Consulting Senior Manager, Crowe: Natalie Bulger,  CEO NC Bulger Solutions, LLC and Former VHA Director of Risk Management, Bill Dykstra, Senior Manager, Crowe
Policy changes under the new Administration through Executive Orders and the One Big Beautiful Bill are creating a rapidly evolving risk landscape for federal agencies. These new actions present significant risks to service delivery, compliance, governance, and financial sustainability. This session will explore how federal risk professionals can proactively assess, mitigate, and manage the impact of these policy disruptions across the enterprise.   

Learning Outcomes: 

• Assess risks from policy and regulatory changes  
• Develop mitigation strategies for policy disruptions 

ERM in State and Local Government: A Year in Review and the Future of ERM - 1 CPE
Presented By: Mel Thomson, Risk Manager, Valley Metro; Kendrick Lewis, Senior Administrative & ERM Division Manager, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Grace Crickette, Vice President for Finance and Administration, CFO and Treasurer, University of Redlands, Redlands, California 
Over the past year, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has experienced significant growth and maturity across state and local governments. Driven by the need to better manage uncertainty, protect public assets, and enhance trust in government operations, agencies nationwide have begun adopting formal ERM programs to strengthen resilience and align with federal expectations and best practices. This shift reflects increasing awareness that risk is not just a compliance issue but a strategic tool that enables more informed decision-making and prioritization of limited resources.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Apply successful state/local ERM implementation models
• Leverage federal frameworks for local government contexts

From Fragile to Future-Ready - 1 CPE
Presented By: Margaret Graves, former Federal Deputy Chief Information Officer 
Explore real-world lessons on how governments are proactively embedding risk management, agile governance, data-driven planning, and stakeholder networks to anticipate and mitigate future shocks including pandemics, cyber threats, supply chain crises to build resilient, shock-prepared public services. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Design resilient public service delivery systems 
• Implement agile governance for crisis response 

Integrating Your ERM Knowledge Capital to be Resilient and Succession Plan Ready - 1 CPE
Sponsored By: TFC Consulting

Presented By: Brad Grams, Regional Environmental Program Manager in the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Great Lakes Region;  Grace Crickette, Vice President for Finance and Administration, CFO and Treasurer, University of Redlands, Redlands, California; Doug Webster, Principal with TFC Consulting  
This session will highlight key ERM Knowledge Capital considerations for an enterprise, be it the public or private sector, and key resources institutions can use to build and maintain knowledge capital in their divisions and units, such as the AFERM Areas of Practice, AFERM State and local White Paper Case Studies, and RIMS Maturity Models, support retention and succession planning. 

Learning Outcomes 

• Develop comprehensive ERM knowledge management systems 
• Create sustainable knowledge transfer and succession plans 

The role of ERM in supporting safe and secure elections (State/Local) - 1 CPE
Presented By: Kendrick Lewis, Senior Administrative & ERM Division Manager, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Ginny Gelms, Hennepin County Elections Department Director; Mollie Casey, Senior Federal ERM Advisor
This session demonstrates how Hennepin County's ERM Governance Framework supports safe, fair, and equitable elections across multiple jurisdictions. Learn how the County's ERM function integrates diverse stakeholders—from emergency management and IT to security and communications—breaking down silos to achieve a holistic view of election risks and their owners. Through ERM risk assessments and workshops, disparate groups collaborate to identify strengths and enhancement opportunities, increasing risk awareness and buy-in countywide. The session will show how this integrated approach positions Hennepin County to proactively identify and manage emerging risks, such as potential budget cuts affecting election staffing or policy changes impacting voter access. 

Learning Outcomes:

• How state and local agencies leverage ERM governance, methodologies, frameworks, principles, processes, reporting and monitoring to achieve their mission objectives, particularly with respect to elections 

Managing an Increasingly Complex Risk Landscape with a High Performance ERM Program - 1 CPE
Presented By: Chris Mandel, President and Managing Consultant for Excellence in Risk Management, LLC; Soubhagya Parija, Chief Risk Officer at FirstEnergy Corp
In today’s dynamic and challenging risk landscape, traditional ERM approaches often fall short in identifying the cascading impact of deeply interconnected risks. This session will explore how the changing risk landscape is altering decision making process and what strategy risk leaders must adopt to navigate these challenges. Whether you're building your first ERM strategy program or seeking to enhance your current approach, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies to stay ahead of this environment. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the current and future state of ERM 
• How to use the ERM pillars of Cognitive, Continuous and Connected to underpin your strategy 
• Leverage an AI driven predictive analytical tools to drive your ERM approach 

The ERM Evolution: Cross-Sector Perspectives and Strategies for Driving Value - 1 CPE
Sponsored By: Deloitte

Presented By: Cynthia Vitters, Managing Director, Deloitte; Lawrence Zacarese, VP for Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Security Officer, Stoney Brook University
ERM is no longer just a compliance checkbox—it’s a dynamic engine for smarter strategy, resilience, and decision making. As ERM programs mature, they must integrate throughout the organization, establishing advocates and driving more valuable insights. This interactive session will bring together senior risk leaders from the Federal Government, Higher Education, and Not-For-Profit sectors share how they’re reimagining ERM to work collaboratively across their organizations to meet today’s challenges. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Compare cross-sector ERM strategies and best practices
• Implement collaborative approaches to ERM advancement 

Mission-Critical Alignment: Bridging Strategic Planning and Enterprise Risk Management for Mission Success - 1 CPE
Presented By: Kyle Bianco, Senior Manager of Enterprise Risk Management at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); Karen Weber, Deputy Chief Risk Officer and Director of Enterprise Strategy, Performance and Risk in the Office of Strategy, Planning, and Performance Improvement at the Department of the Treasury ; Noha Gaber, AFERM Summit 2025 Committee Chair & Federal Strategy and ERM Leader 
In today's complex operating environment, federal agencies must seamlessly integrate enterprise risk management (ERM) with strategic planning to achieve mission objectives effectively. This panel brings together seasoned practitioners to explore proven strategies, practical frameworks, and real-world applications for aligning risk management with organizational strategy. The session will cover how to embed risk considerations into strategic planning processes from the ground up and break down silos between risk management, strategic planning, and operational teams.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand best practices for integrating ERM into strategic planning processes
• Learn practical approaches for fostering collaboration between risk and strategy functions
• Discover strategies for sustaining long-term alignment between risk management and organizational strategy and performance management and improvement

2:40-3:00 PM | Break 

With emerging risks, increased insurance premiums, retentions and pullbacks, this session will focus on how airports can utilize Enterprise Risk Management principles to manage and mitigate their risks in an evolving environment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop systematic approaches to emerging risk identification
• Implement responsive frameworks for new and evolving threats

Mission Possible: Pioneering the Next Generation of Federal ERM Excellence -  1 CPE
Presented By: James Lam, President of James Lam & Associates
Widely recognized as the world's first Chief Risk Officer and a pioneer in enterprise risk management, Lam brings three decades of leadership and innovation in ERM. He will share insights gained through real-world challenges and successes as a CRO, management consultant, and board director at global public and private organizations. In this forward-looking session, Lam will discuss how federal agencies can unlock ERM's full potential by evolving beyond “check the box” processes to create dynamic, mission-driven programs. Drawing from his extensive experience, Lam will reveal the common pitfalls of traditional ERM programs and explore how risk leaders can build decision-oriented, fit-for-purpose, and AI-enabled ERM. Federal ERM practitioners are tasked to deliver public value in an age of disruption. This session offers straight talk on the critical dos and don’ts in ERM and provides a strategic framework for making the impossible possible through Federal ERM excellence.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize why “check the box” processes will doom ERM programs (and risk management careers) in the age of disruption
• Discover practical ERM practices that align mission value to risk appetite and actionable reports & metrics
• Unlock ERM innovation and potential through scenario analysis and AI-enabled risk analytics