Title of Sessions:

Full Steam Ahead: Empowering California Public Entities with Economic Insight and Investment Resilience

Session Description:

Welcome back to the Inland Empire Chapter — and get ready, because this is shaping up to be a sold-out event! Come for the learning, stay for the festive fun, as we gather for our last meeting of the year and wrap up the season in style.

As interest rate pressures move, inflation dynamics evolve, and fiscal policy delivers its own seasonal surprises, California Public Entities are facing an increasingly complex environment. This session provides a timely economic update designed specifically for the challenges and opportunities facing public agencies across the state.

We’ll begin with a clear, insightful look at the key macroeconomic indicators shaping the months ahead — from growth trends and the Fed’s policy outlook to the market signals that matter — and explore how they influence liquidity and investment decisions.

From there, we’ll transition into a practical, portfolio-focused discussion centered on building resilient public fund strategies that balance safety, liquidity, and yield. Think of it as the perfect holiday toolkit for smarter, steadier financial management as we head into the new year.

With a cheerful seasonal theme adding warmth and energy, this final gathering of the year will help you navigate volatility with confidence and step into the next year with clarity, stability, and a little extra holiday sparkle.

Looking forward to celebrating learning, community, and the season with you! 

Speakers:

Rick Phillips, Senior Vice President & Chief Investment Strategist, Meeder

Paulina Woo, Managing Director, Public Funds, Meeder

Speaker Bios:

Rick Phillips brings over 35 years of experience in municipal cash and investment management. A recognized leader in the public finance space, Rick is the founder of the Government Investment Officers Association (GIOA) — a national organization with over 1,000 members, including government investment officers and corporate affiliates. His career has been defined by a commitment to innovation, education, and excellence in public sector investing. Rick continues to shape the future of public fund management through strategic insight, thought leadership, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing government investors.

Paulina Woo brings more than 17 years of experience providing investment advisory and treasury management consulting services to institutional and government clients across the western U.S. In her role, she leads dedicated teams that tailor investment solutions to meet the unique needs of municipalities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutional investors.

Paulina’s expertise includes advisory services across liquidity, high-quality fixed income, and multi-asset class strategies. She is actively involved in organizations such as GFOA, NACo, GFOAz, ACTA, Women in Public Finance, National Association of Hispanic County Officials, and Asian Americans in Public Finance. She is a frequent speaker on topics including diversified investment strategies, optimizing banking relationships, and managing risk in public investments. 

Registration Deadline:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Registration Fee:

Members $75, Non-Members $95

This meeting qualifies for 1 hour of Technical CPE