NextWave Federal Finance Leadership Program

Unlock your leadership potential to inspire, empower, and drive impactful change.

The 2025 Application will open in the Summer of 2024. In the meantime, please email your interest to apply to Susan Fritzlen.

Congratulations to the inaugural 2022 Cohort and to the 2023 Cohort and 2024 Cohort!

Overview

“NextWave Federal Finance Leadership Program provided space for me to recognize, reflect and refine my financial leadership skills. As a budding Federal financial leader, I have become adept at the human side of financial leadership, and this program has enabled me to support that further with the educational/interactive sessions, speakers, capstone and networking opportunities. The sessions and framework were so well designed and valuable that it created pathways for my professional growth as a Federal financial leader. It has opened windows for vision and doors to possibilities that I know will have a profound impact on my career and already has.”

**Sonia Jolly**

CFO Modernization and Technology Lead
Internal Revenue Service

**NextWave Inaugural Cohort Graduate 2023**

The NextWave Federal Finance Leadership Program (NextWave) is a transformative journey that empowers experienced GS 13-15s (federal government employees) in financial management to become visionary leaders. This program offers a platform for forward-thinking individuals to redefine the finance function within the federal government.

Program Experience

NextWave consists of three phases, combining educational sessions, interactive engagement with federal CFOs/DCFOs, and self-reflection exercises. Participants will also collaborate on a team capstone project to simulate real-life transformation opportunities. Additionally, participants can earn up to 17 CPE credits throughout the program. Please view the 2024 Schedule. Some sessions are virtual and some are in-person (at a venue in Washington, D.C.).

Phase 1: Better Me

Participants embark on a self-discovery journey, identifying their unique personas and exploring the attributes that align with their personal and professional growth. By nurturing a transformative mindset, individuals lay the foundation for their leadership development.
Time commitment: 2 educational sessions (lectures) and 1 interactive session - approximately 12 hours

Phase 2: Better Us

Participants reimagine the role of finance within the federal government, envisioning how OCFO functions can deliver greater value to employees and key stakeholders. This phase encourages innovative thinking and challenges the status quo, fostering a culture of excellence.
Time commitment: 2-3 educational sessions (lectures) and 1 interactive session - approximately 12 hours

Phase 3: Better Working World

Seasoned executives share their invaluable experiences and insights, revealing the strategies they employed to drive change throughout their careers. Participants gain invaluable wisdom from these leaders, empowering them to become catalysts for transformation.
Time commitment: 2 educational sessions (lectures) and 1 interactive session – approximately 12 hours

Transformation Simulation

Participants will engage in an immersive learning experience on methodologies and tools for designing the ‘vision of the future’ for their organization, and an actionable approach for realizing desired outcomes.
Time commitment - 3 educational sessions (lectures) – approximately 6 hours

Capstone Group Project

Participants integrate their newfound knowledge and experiences into an executive presentation and actionable report, addressing complex challenges faced by today's financial organizations. This collaborative team project provides an opportunity to apply their learning and achieve transformational success.
Time commitment: Interactive team assignment - approximately 28 hours

Application Process and Fee