Program Overview
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.
Details can be found in the 2027 schedule; some sessions are virtual and some are in-person (in Washington, D.C.). Cohort members are expected to attend ALL sessions.
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 – 12 hours (approximately)
2 educational sessions (lectures) and 1 interactive session
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 – 12 hours (approximately)
2-3 educational sessions (lectures) and 1 interactive session
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 – 12 hours (approximately)
2 educational sessions (lectures) and 1 interactive session
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 – 6 hours (approximately)
3 educational sessions (lectures)
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 – 28 hours (approximately)
Interactive team assignment
2027 Cohort Application
Applications for the 2027 cohort are due November 20. The selection process will include an interview and the program is limited to a maximum of 30 individuals.
AGA is proud to offer this leadership program at no charge with the support of our Corporate Partner, EY.
Applications are due by Sunday, November 20 at midnight ET.
Questions? Please contact Susan Fritzlen
I joined NextWave because I wanted to grow beyond the technical side of federal financial management and strengthen my ability to lead, collaborate, and think strategically across organizations. The program gave me the opportunity to learn alongside talented federal financial management professionals from different agencies and perspectives.
One of the most valuable aspects of NextWave was the combination of leadership development, networking, and practical problem-solving. Working with my Capstone team and ultimately earning 1st Place was especially rewarding, but the greatest value was the experience of bringing different perspectives together, developing a solution as a team, and presenting our ideas to senior leaders.
NextWave has helped me become more confident in how I approach leadership, communicate ideas, and collaborate across organizational boundaries. It also reinforced that effective federal financial leadership is not only about understanding budgets, accounting, or policy — it is about building relationships, influencing others, and helping organizations solve complex problems.
My advice to future participants is simple: be fully engaged. Participate in the discussions, build relationships with your cohort, learn from the speakers and mentors, and take advantage of opportunities that may push you outside your comfort zone. The more you put into NextWave, the more you will take away from it.
Mickey Witchuwong, PMP, CGFM
Financial Management Analyst
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Department of the Navy
NextWave 2026 Cohort
The most valuable part of my NextWave experience was working with my teammates. I somehow ended up with a team that was the perfect fit, and that is not an overstatement. I worked with a group of cooperative, insightful, engaged, and incredibly supportive individuals who brought different perspectives and strengths to the table. I genuinely enjoyed our group chats and the ongoing conversations between meetings. Those interactions helped us stay connected, build on one another’s ideas, and create a strong sense of teamwork throughout the experience.
I was truly honored when my teammates selected me early on to serve as our team lead. Their confidence in me meant a great deal, and it motivated me to step into the role with intention and give my best. Together, we developed a proposal that ultimately was selected as the winning proposal. That experience was incredibly rewarding, not simply because we won, but because it showed what is possible when a team is committed, collaborative, and willing to bring out the best in one another.
Our Executive Sponsor was also an important part of the experience. He provided thoughtful and constructive feedback on our proposal, and our team was intentional about listening to that feedback and implementing it. Seeing how his recommendations strengthened our final proposal was a valuable lesson in the importance of being receptive to feedback. It reinforced for me that being open to constructive input and having the humility to make changes when needed can lead to better results and greater success.
The experience gave me a tremendous sense of accomplishment and, more importantly, inspired me. It gave me renewed motivation and a stronger belief in myself and in my ability to take on bigger challenges and accomplish more. It was also a memorable moment to walk across the AGA stage during graduation at PDT in front of my colleagues and friends.
My advice to prospective participants is to get to know the people you meet along the way. Be open to learning, be willing to step outside of your comfort zone, listen to feedback, and don’t underestimate what you can accomplish when you trust yourself and your team. The relationships, experiences, and confidence you gain may end up being just as valuable as the program itself.
Janaya Washington, CGFM
Enterprise Support and Audit Response Team Lead
Office of the Under Secretary of War Comptroller
NextWave 2026 Cohort