Join Us in Shaping the Future of Our Profession

Steve Woo CPCM, CFCM, Fellow Diversity Representative, NCMA Board Member and Nominations and Elections Committee

Since October 2021, I have had the honor of serving you as a member of the NCMA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Council. The DE&I Council meets regularly to ensure NCMA remains a welcoming place for all on their career journeys.

NCMA strongly believes that a diverse workforce in an inclusive environment will improve individual and organizational performance in the contract management profession. We are fully committed to the advancement of equity and support for contract management professionals.

In addition, the Council provides recommendations to the NCMA Board of Directors Chair and takes on special projects to uncover blind spots so we continue to welcome all.

As the diversity representative on the NCMA Nominations & Elections Committee (NEC), my role is to help the NEC consider diversity when making Board appointments and identifying national committee candidates from Statements of Interest.

Diversity considerations include:1) Assessing skill sets needed based on the Strategic Plan and the skills sets of Board members continuing in the following program year, and 2) Social diversity (e.g. gender, race/ethnicity, and age) and professional diversity. The NEC and NCMA as a whole are intentional about transparency and inclusiveness.

In the October 2023 issue of Contract Management, Wendy Masiello, Past National Board Chair, shared that for Program Year 2025 (PY25), we have six open seats across all five of our committees: Professional Development & Certification, Member Engagement, Audit & Risk, Governance & Ethics, and Strategic Planning. Wendy also stated that PY25 will be our “Broaden Year.”

We continuously evaluate the needs of the association. We do this by looking at the current makeup of the leadership and identifying areas of expertise that will strengthen the team, while endeavoring to ensure that our ethnic and gender makeup reflects the overall demographics of NCMA.

In terms of broadening, we have been particularly interested in pursuing skills for our Board and its committees such as project/program management/ portfolio management, CORs (contracting officer representatives), finance, and supply chain management. In effect, we are broadening beyond contract management to encompass its nexus with other professions in support of our PY25 Strategic Plan.

While preparing to write this article, I noticed that NCMA members come from:

• Commercial businesses
• Government contractors
• Federal, state, and local governments
• Project and program management

Our members are also engaged in many professions.

NCMA includes:

• Accountants
• Lawyers
• Human resources professionals
• Consultants
• Administrative professionals
• Educators
• Students
• Retired contract management professionals

All our members bring unique perspectives. When we embrace diversity, the varied viewpoints that come from different life experiences and cultural backgrounds strengthen board and committee deliberations and decision making.

With that in mind, Masiello asked, “Have you considered volunteering to serve on a National Board Committee where you can be an important part of NCMA’s national-level governance team?”

To fill the six open seats on our five committees, we are actively seeking members with varied experiences and from many functional disciplines and backgrounds who bring multiple skills, such as project management, financial management, and education. National committee members serve two-year terms and may be re-elected for one additional term. They are expected to attend all required meetings and events, be active participants, and conduct themselves professionally.

To bring your skills and background to our committees, please complete and submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) by November 15, 2023 at www.ncmahq.org/soi.

The rest of the schedule is below:

• November 16-December 15, 2023 – Review of Candidates
• January 15-January 30, 2024 – Voting Period
• March 2024 – Notification of Selected Parties

From local chapters to national committees and the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, there are many opportunities to get involved at NCMA. Committee membership offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact on NCMA and work with your colleagues and National Board Members who are terrific people and government and industry leaders. Do take a step forward and share your unique background and career journey to shape the future of our profession. Learn more at www.ncmahq.org/soi. CM