Get to Know Your President-Elect!

Get to Know Your President-Elect!

By: Jennifer Becker, CSMFO Communications Committee Chair and Karla Romero, CSMFO President-Elect

As we approach the registration opening date for the 2026 CSMFO Conference, what better time to get to know the person leading the planning of this great event – President-Elect, Karla Romero.

As a longtime volunteer, Karla has served in a wide range of Committee and Leadership roles, including a term on the CSMFO Board of Directors. She currently serves as Director of Finance for the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). A proud Coachella Valley Chapter member, Karla has spent most of her public finance career in the Coachella Valley and is thrilled to bring the 2026 CSMFO Conference to Palm Springs. We look forward to the local touches she will bring to the conference and to the energy her leadership always inspires.

So, without further ado, let’s learn more about your CSMFO President-Elect!

Karla, how did you get started in public finance, and what do you like best about this profession?

Nearly 20 years ago, I began as a customer service representative at the City of Indio through a temporary agency. I was fortunate to be hired full-time and had the opportunity to serve in various roles and departments, learning along the way that public service brings both purpose and fulfillment.

What I love most is that government finance continues to evolve. Each year brings new challenges and opportunities—whether through technology, legislation, or creative problem-solving—and with them, the chance to grow and make an impact.

My first experience was attending a Coachella Valley Chapter meeting. I was asked to help at the registration table and was promised a free lunch—but I walked away with so much more: new knowledge, fresh ideas, and meaningful networking connections. That sense of belonging and learning hooked me, and I kept asking how I could help. 

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Chapter Chair for the Coachella and Imperial Valley Chapters, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Communications Committee, on the Membership and Program Committees, as a mentor and mentee in the Mentorship Program, as a budget award reviewer, on multiple Strategic Planning Sessions, as a Board Member, and as a budget award reviewer, on multiple Strategic Planning Sessions, as a Board Member, and as a conference and webinar presenter. 

(Left) Karla just hanging around the 2018 Conference with Coachella Valley Chapter Chair, Claudia Martinez. (Right) CSMFO Volunteers of the Year, Grace Casteneda (2018) and Karla Romero (2017) at the 2019 Conference in Palm Springs.

The Communications Committee has been a long-standing home for you. What has made it so meaningful?

When I first joined, CSMFO published a printed magazine that was mailed to members. Over time, we transitioned to electronic communication, then added a podcast and social media presence. I’ve loved being part of this evolution—staying ahead of trends, highlighting member voices, and celebrating the talent and thoughtful leadership across our profession.

You’ve worked for both cities and special districts. How do the two compare?

Both require finance professionals to understand the broader agency mission—budgeting, long-term planning, and strategic priorities. I’ve worked in full-service cities, a contract city, and a diverse special district serving 25,000 to 125,000 residents. Each has been unique, whether serving rural agricultural communities or a tourist destination.

The lesson is this: our skills are transferable, and our impact is amplified when we share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned with colleagues and CSMFO members.

What are you most looking forward to as CSMFO President?

I’m excited to help identify and support the next generation of leaders. We need to create space where new voices are heard, innovative ideas are tested, and members of all career stages feel empowered to shape the future of our profession. To me, leadership means building a legacy that outlasts us—one rooted in growth, collaboration, and joy in service.

Has there been a Past President or Board Member who inspires you?

So many! I’ve been lucky to have leaders who encouraged me, nudged me toward new opportunities, and offered exactly the right words at the right time. Those moments of connection remind me that leadership is less about titles and more about lifting others up.

Outside of your role with CVWD and your CSMFO responsibilities, how do you spend your free time?

Free time is precious, but I make space for what matters most—spending time with my family, traveling, reading, enjoying a relaxing spa, remodeling our home, and most of all, making memories with my 10-year-old son and my life partner.

This past summer, I had the chance to combine work and family by extending my trip to the GFOA Conference in Washington, DC, with Fourth of July celebrations, visiting Disneyland and California Adventure, and wrapping up with a trip to Vancouver, Canada. Experiencing these adventures through my son’s eyes reminded me how quickly time passes and why making every moment count matters. 

 

Karla with her family in Washington, DC (left) and Disneyland (right)

Let’s talk about the 2026 Annual Conference in Palm Springs. How is the planning going, and what can members expect?

Planning starts the moment you become President-Elect and accelerates quickly after the current year’s conference wraps up. Together we’ve built an incredible team—about 10 Conference Host Committee members, 10 Program Committee members, and dedicated support staff—who are actively working on every detail.

For 2026, members can expect a dynamic program, high energy, unique local experiences, and a setting that truly showcases the beauty of the Coachella Valley. We want attendees to leave inspired, connected, and proud to be part of this profession.

Members of the 2026 CSMFO Conference Host Committee 

Tell us about the conference theme.

Our theme, “Explore Our Financial Landscape,” celebrates the diversity of the agencies we serve and the physical landscapes that make California so unique. Exploration is about curiosity, growth, and progress. This theme reflects our profession’s evolution and our commitment to continually moving forward together.

You’ve spent much of your career in the Coachella Valley. What makes this region so special, and what are you most looking forward to sharing?

I grew up in Brawley (Imperial Valley), went to college in San Bernardino, and built my career in the Coachella Valley (CV)—a true SoCal journey. What makes the CV special is its welcoming spirit, strong community leaders, inspiring winter visitors, and breathtaking desert landscape. I’m excited to share this warmth and beauty with my CSMFO family.

Finally, what would you say to someone new to the public finance profession about CSMFO?

CSMFO offers so much—education, networking, leadership opportunities, and community. There’s no single way to get involved; the key is simply to start. Try different things, find your passion, and don’t be afraid to learn, grow, and give back. This is how we evolve as individuals and as an organizations

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks about the 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference, February 24–27, 2026 in Palm Springs!