About CFO Rising
A CFO-Led Leadership Community Serving GovCon and
Aerospace & Defense Finance Executives
CFO Rising is a private, CFO-led leadership community created to support senior finance leaders navigating growth, complexity,
and transition within the GovCon and Aerospace & Defense ecosystem.
Founded in 2020, CFO Rising was established in response to a clear gap in the market: while government contracting finance leaders face uniquely complex operating, regulatory, and capital challenges, there were few environments designed specifically to support their development into effective, strategic CFOs. CFO Rising was built to meet that need.
Our Purpose
CFO Rising exists to help senior GovCon & Aerospace & Defense finance leaders develop the judgment, perspective, and relationships required to operate successfully at the CFO level.
The program is designed for Director-level and above finance professionals preparing for expanded leadership responsibility or currently serving in senior finance roles, with a focus that extends beyond technical finance expertise to the broader leadership, decision-making,and strategic responsibilities that define the modern CFO.
A Program Built by Practicing CFOs
CFO Rising is intentionally designed and delivered by practicing CFOs with deep GovCon as well as Aerospace & Defense experience.
Program content reflects the real decisions finance leaders face at the senior level from board and investor dynamics to capital strategy, transactions, systems, and people leadership. The community brings together more than 40 well-known and highly respected CFOs from the DC metro GovCon market industry who serve as presenters, mentors, and facilitators throughout the program. Their involvement ensures that every session is grounded in lived experience rather than theory or vendor-led frameworks.
A Trusted Peer Community
At the core of CFO Rising is a curated peer community of senior finance leaders operating across complex GovCon and Aerospace & Defense environments.
Members engage in candid, experience-driven dialogue with peers facing similar challenges. Through consistent interaction and shared learning, the community fosters trust, perspective, and long-term professional relationships that extend well beyond formal programming.
Access to the Broader Industry Ecosystem
CFO Rising provides members with exposure to a broader network of leaders across the broader GovCon and Aerospace & Defense ecosystem, including private equity firms, investment banks, and other industry participants who play critical roles throughout the CFO lifecycle.
This access enables members to begin building the relationships and market perspective they will rely on as they progress into and through the CFO role.
Leadership, Governance, and Oversight
CFO Rising is supported by a CFO-led mentor network and governed by a Board of Directors comprised of senior CFOs, CEOs, and executive leaders. Together, they provide strategic oversight, governance, and long-term direction to ensure the program remains rigorous, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of GovCon finance leaders.
A Long-Term Leadership Experience
Many CFO Rising members remain active in the community year after year because of the practical value of the program and the meaningful relationships they build. Membership is designed to support finance leaders throughout their careers, providing a trusted network of peers to learn from, collaborate with, and grow alongside.
As the GovCon market evolves, so does the CFO Rising experience. Through continued membership, participants gain access to relevant content, trusted peer connections, and leadership discussions that reflect the changing needs of finance executives and the industry they serve.