Join us for this enlightening conversation and enhance your understanding of government budgeting! This interactive virtual conversation brings together a distinguished panel of experts from the budgeting field. The discussion will delve into the significance of budgeting, the integral role of the community in the budgeting process, and the essential skills required to navigate a successful budget season. Our panelists will share their wealth of experiences, unique perspectives, and practical recommendations for achieving success in the Budget Office. You will also be able to ask questions and interact with the speakers.

Panelists

Laura Allen  

Budget Analyst III, State of Maryland 

About Laura Allen

Laura Allen (she/her), CPFO, ICMA-CM, is currently leading the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) as its President. She brings to the table over three decades of experience in local government, with a special focus on small communities. Eleven of these years have been spent at the executive level in both California and Maryland.

She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is an esteemed graduate of Leadership ICMA. In her current role, Laura serves as a Budget Analyst III for the State of Maryland’s Capital Budget Office.

Noor Shaikh 

Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Chicago, Illinois 

About Noor Shaikh

Noor is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Chicago, where she leads a dedicated team focused on financial policy and debt management. With over eight years of experience in budgeting and financial planning, she has honed her skills at various organizations including Aurora, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; GFOA; and Chicago. She was an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow with Aurora, Colorado. Noor is an active participant in GFOA and the Women in Public Finance network, contributing her expertise and insights to these professional communities.

She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the renowned O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. Additionally, she earned her bachelor of arts degree in political science from Texas A&M University.