EWG CHAIRS
Ms. Atisha Burks is the Assistant Director for Resource Management (CFO) with the Federal Protective Service. She is the Senior Executive responsible for leading actions to sustain and improve accounting and finance operations to meet FPS’ goals. She provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of the following programs in support of the FPS law enforcement and security mission: budget and finance, human resources, acquisition, personnel security, procurement, diversity and inclusion, ethics, project management, labor relations and the organizations program analysis and evaluation efforts. In this capacity, she oversees an annual budget of over $1.5 billion and supports a workforce of approximately 1400 federal employees and over 13,000 contractors.
She was previously the Senior Accounting and Finance Leader of the Navy (Financial Operations), (SL(FO)). As an SL, she was responsible for guiding the efforts to standardize DON business procedures to improve the accuracy and reliability of financial and business information while supporting DON commitment to financial statement audit remediation. She was responsible for actively participating to ensure that DON financial events are generated in compliance with accounting standards and providing advice and guidance on audit remediation and assurance activities to senior members of the Navy staff.
Prior to her work with DON, she served as the Chief of the Office of Financial Reporting, Policy, and Property with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), where she was responsible for the implementation of financial reporting policy, directives and procedures; the implementation, oversight, and evaluation of the requirements for all USCG property; and oversight over the component-level audit process and corrective action plans for the financial statement audit.
Ms. Burks has also served as the Director of the Office of Financial Reporting and Policy for the Department of Commerce. She was responsible for overseeing the planning and coordination of the preparation of quarterly and annual Departmental financial reports (e.g., Prompt Payment, Cash Management, Debt Management, Treasury Reports, and Financial Statements); the planning of and reporting on Department-wide financial management programs; and preparing special financial management reports in response to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Treasury, Congress, and other issues. Ms. Burks was responsible for formulating and prescribing Department-wide financial management, accounting and fiscal policies, procedures, standards and controls, and for providing assistance to Departmental components in their implementation.
Ms. Burks began her career 19 years ago as an intern with the United States Coast Guard Finance Center, where she primarily worked on receivables and reimbursable. Currently, Ms. Burks is commonly a speaker as an expert in various financial management topics and early career events focused on the next generation of financial management professionals with the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), American Society of Military Comptrollers, and various public accounting firms. She has received numerous Department of Commerce Bronze Awards for her efforts on government-wide initiatives and also led the Department of Commerce to receive the AGA Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting.
Ms. Atisha Burks is the Assistant Director for Resource Management (CFO) with the Federal Protective Service. She is the Senior Executive responsible for leading actions to sustain and improve accounting and finance operations to meet FPS’ goals. She provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of the following programs in support of the FPS law enforcement and security mission: budget and finance, human resources, acquisition, personnel security, procurement, diversity and inclusion, ethics, project management, labor relations and the organizations program analysis and evaluation efforts. In this capacity, she oversees an annual budget of over $1.5 billion and supports a workforce of approximately 1400 federal employees and over 13,000 contractors.
She was previously the Senior Accounting and Finance Leader of the Navy (Financial Operations), (SL(FO)). As an SL, she was responsible for guiding the efforts to standardize DON business procedures to improve the accuracy and reliability of financial and business information while supporting DON commitment to financial statement audit remediation. She was responsible for actively participating to ensure that DON financial events are generated in compliance with accounting standards and providing advice and guidance on audit remediation and assurance activities to senior members of the Navy staff.
Prior to her work with DON, she served as the Chief of the Office of Financial Reporting, Policy, and Property with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), where she was responsible for the implementation of financial reporting policy, directives and procedures; the implementation, oversight, and evaluation of the requirements for all USCG property; and oversight over the component-level audit process and corrective action plans for the financial statement audit.
Ms. Burks has also served as the Director of the Office of Financial Reporting and Policy for the Department of Commerce. She was responsible for overseeing the planning and coordination of the preparation of quarterly and annual Departmental financial reports (e.g., Prompt Payment, Cash Management, Debt Management, Treasury Reports, and Financial Statements); the planning of and reporting on Department-wide financial management programs; and preparing special financial management reports in response to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Treasury, Congress, and other issues. Ms. Burks was responsible for formulating and prescribing Department-wide financial management, accounting and fiscal policies, procedures, standards and controls, and for providing assistance to Departmental components in their implementation.
Ms. Burks began her career 19 years ago as an intern with the United States Coast Guard Finance Center, where she primarily worked on receivables and reimbursable. Currently, Ms. Burks is commonly a speaker as an expert in various financial management topics and early career events focused on the next generation of financial management professionals with the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), American Society of Military Comptrollers, and various public accounting firms. She has received numerous Department of Commerce Bronze Awards for her efforts on government-wide initiatives and also led the Department of Commerce to receive the AGA Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting.
Ms. Nahrwold is an Associate Director at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in its Office of Examination and Insurance (E&I). E&I is responsible for instilling public confidence in credit unions by providing leadership and collaborating with other agency offices and regions on the establishment of sound policy, direction, and quality control over the examination, surveillance, and problem resolution programs for federally insured credit unions.
As Associate Director, Ms. Nahrwold’s duties include planning and implementing a broad risk-management framework relating to the examination and supervision of federally insured credit unions. Her areas of responsibility include laws, regulations, policies and procedures involving derivatives, subordinated debt, risk-based capital and market risk related to investments, credit instruments and balance sheet risk. She assigns and manages projects, identifies and resolves operational challenges, analyzes program requirements, oversees development and delivery of specialized training curricula, influences agency planning and policy, and maintains effective working relationships with stakeholders including credit unions, trade associations, federal and state government agencies, and the public.
Prior to her appointment as Associate Director, Ms. Nahrwold was most recently the Director of Risk Management in E&I. Previously she held numerous permanent and temporary positions within NCUA completing special projects, managing field examiners, specialists, policy, and insurance, and served as a specialized examiner. Ms. Nahrwold joined the NCUA in January 2000 after twelve years in the private sector.
With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Ms. Nahrwold has been routinely recognized for her leadership, exceptional work ethic, and contributions to important initiatives. Recognition has included letters of appreciation, cash and other awards, and “of the year” awards as a Specialized Examiner in 2004 and Supervisor in 2011. Ms. Nahrwold was a founding member and former Secretary on the Steering Committee for the women’s employee resource group SWAN (Supporting Women at NCUA). She is also a member of NCUA’s LGBTQ employee resource group Pride (People Recognizing Individual Differences Equally) and its Unity employee resource group UMOJA. Ms. Nahrwold formally and informally mentors aspiring leaders and volunteers her time advocating for sustainable change in the lives of women, animals, and the environment. She is newsletter editor and membership co-chair for the Sierra Club Potomac River Group.
Ms. Nahrwold is a graduate of the NCUA Executive Training Program (2020), the Federal Executive Institute Leadership for a Democratic Society (2019), the Partnership for Public Service Excellence in Government Fellows Program (2016), the NCUA Management Development Program (2008), Executive Coaching (2013), and holds a Certificate in Leadership (2020) in addition to completing over 25 courses concentrated on leadership competencies and post-graduate work. Ms. Nahrwold has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from the University of Saint Francis where she was on the National Dean’s List and has a Master of Arts in Applied Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
In her free time, Ms. Nahrwold is an avid reader, world traveler, outdoor enthusiast, and blessed mother and grandmother.
Ms. Nahrwold is an Associate Director at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in its Office of Examination and Insurance (E&I). E&I is responsible for instilling public confidence in credit unions by providing leadership and collaborating with other agency offices and regions on the establishment of sound policy, direction, and quality control over the examination, surveillance, and problem resolution programs for federally insured credit unions.
As Associate Director, Ms. Nahrwold’s duties include planning and implementing a broad risk-management framework relating to the examination and supervision of federally insured credit unions. Her areas of responsibility include laws, regulations, policies and procedures involving derivatives, subordinated debt, risk-based capital and market risk related to investments, credit instruments and balance sheet risk. She assigns and manages projects, identifies and resolves operational challenges, analyzes program requirements, oversees development and delivery of specialized training curricula, influences agency planning and policy, and maintains effective working relationships with stakeholders including credit unions, trade associations, federal and state government agencies, and the public.
Prior to her appointment as Associate Director, Ms. Nahrwold was most recently the Director of Risk Management in E&I. Previously she held numerous permanent and temporary positions within NCUA completing special projects, managing field examiners, specialists, policy, and insurance, and served as a specialized examiner. Ms. Nahrwold joined the NCUA in January 2000 after twelve years in the private sector.
With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Ms. Nahrwold has been routinely recognized for her leadership, exceptional work ethic, and contributions to important initiatives. Recognition has included letters of appreciation, cash and other awards, and “of the year” awards as a Specialized Examiner in 2004 and Supervisor in 2011. Ms. Nahrwold was a founding member and former Secretary on the Steering Committee for the women’s employee resource group SWAN (Supporting Women at NCUA). She is also a member of NCUA’s LGBTQ employee resource group Pride (People Recognizing Individual Differences Equally) and its Unity employee resource group UMOJA. Ms. Nahrwold formally and informally mentors aspiring leaders and volunteers her time advocating for sustainable change in the lives of women, animals, and the environment. She is newsletter editor and membership co-chair for the Sierra Club Potomac River Group.
Ms. Nahrwold is a graduate of the NCUA Executive Training Program (2020), the Federal Executive Institute Leadership for a Democratic Society (2019), the Partnership for Public Service Excellence in Government Fellows Program (2016), the NCUA Management Development Program (2008), Executive Coaching (2013), and holds a Certificate in Leadership (2020) in addition to completing over 25 courses concentrated on leadership competencies and post-graduate work. Ms. Nahrwold has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from the University of Saint Francis where she was on the National Dean’s List and has a Master of Arts in Applied Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
In her free time, Ms. Nahrwold is an avid reader, world traveler, outdoor enthusiast, and blessed mother and grandmother.
Kristen Best is the Director (A), Illicit Trade, Travel, Finance at the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Strategy, Policy, & Plans. In this role she leads a portfolio that focuses the Department’s efforts on victim- and exploitation-based crimes such as sex trafficking, forced labor, child sexual exploitations, and human rights abuses. Ms. Best spent ten years in numerous positions at the Transportation Security Administration, where she most recently was the Chief of Staff, Operations Support, responsible for supporting the Executive Assistant Administrator in implementing processes that strengthen operations support services to enhance TSA’s policy plans and engagements, intelligence and analysis, enrollment services and vetting programs, as well as requirements and capabilities analysis efforts. She also served as the Assistant Federal Security Director-Screening, leading a team of approximately 500 employees and six specialized departments in screening operations to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public at Portland International Airport in Portland, OR. Ms. Best holds a Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware in Leadership and Consumer Economics, with a Minor in Japanese. In 2018 she was awarded a professional certificate from the American University, Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program and in 2019 graduated from the Federal Executive Institute, Leadership for a Democratic Society. She has three active and athletic boys who live in Portland, OR, and spends the majority of her downtime reading, exercising, and traveling back-and-forth to Oregon.
Kristen Best is the Director (A), Illicit Trade, Travel, Finance at the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Strategy, Policy, & Plans. In this role she leads a portfolio that focuses the Department’s efforts on victim- and exploitation-based crimes such as sex trafficking, forced labor, child sexual exploitations, and human rights abuses. Ms. Best spent ten years in numerous positions at the Transportation Security Administration, where she most recently was the Chief of Staff, Operations Support, responsible for supporting the Executive Assistant Administrator in implementing processes that strengthen operations support services to enhance TSA’s policy plans and engagements, intelligence and analysis, enrollment services and vetting programs, as well as requirements and capabilities analysis efforts. She also served as the Assistant Federal Security Director-Screening, leading a team of approximately 500 employees and six specialized departments in screening operations to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public at Portland International Airport in Portland, OR. Ms. Best holds a Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware in Leadership and Consumer Economics, with a Minor in Japanese. In 2018 she was awarded a professional certificate from the American University, Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program and in 2019 graduated from the Federal Executive Institute, Leadership for a Democratic Society. She has three active and athletic boys who live in Portland, OR, and spends the majority of her downtime reading, exercising, and traveling back-and-forth to Oregon.
Carla Gammon will lead the Logistics Management Directorate as the Acting Assistant Administrator upon Mr. Dorko’s move. Ms. Gammon has served as FEMA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Logistics Management Directorate since 2013. Before coming to FEMA, Ms. Gammon led organizations in human capital, base mission support, and operations support areas as an officer in the Air Force. As a military city manager, she oversaw civil engineering, contracting, communications/IT, human capital, logistics, security, and community support programs and directed base Emergency Operations Centers.
Ms. Gammon earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Air War College in Montgomery Alabama.
Carla Gammon will lead the Logistics Management Directorate as the Acting Assistant Administrator upon Mr. Dorko’s move. Ms. Gammon has served as FEMA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Logistics Management Directorate since 2013. Before coming to FEMA, Ms. Gammon led organizations in human capital, base mission support, and operations support areas as an officer in the Air Force. As a military city manager, she oversaw civil engineering, contracting, communications/IT, human capital, logistics, security, and community support programs and directed base Emergency Operations Centers.
Ms. Gammon earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Air War College in Montgomery Alabama.