Day 1: Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Time Activities Speakers

2:00pm – 2:10pm Chief Diversity Officer: Welcome and 

Opening Remarks

Tanisha Cole Edmonds, Chief 

Diversity Officer and Director, Office 

of Minority and Women Inclusion

2:10pm - 2:45pm CFTC Chairman and Commissioners: 

Welcome and Remarks CFTC Chairman and Commissioners

2:45pm - 3:25pm

Featured Guest Speaker: Alex Tremble 

“Leading for the Common Good: Unleashing 

Your Potential in Public Service”

Alex Tremble, Executive Leadership 

Coach and Keynote Speaker

3:30pm - 4:00pm

Presentation: “Overview of Careers at the 

CFTC” hosted by Human Resources Branch 

Talent Management

Steven Inneh, Human Resources 

Specialist

4:00pm Virtual Program Ends 

CFTC Career Forum for Colleges, 

Universities and Law Schools

Location: Dates:

Zoom, click here to connect Tuesday, November 14, 2023

 Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Time: Login Early:

2:00pm to 4:00pm EST 1:45 pm EST 

AGENDA 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Speakers for Day 1 

Rostin Behnam 

Chairman 

Sworn in as the CFTC’s 15th Chairman on January 4, 2022 after being unanimously 

confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Chairman Behnam has advocated for the CFTC to 

use its authority and expertise to ensure the derivatives markets operate 

transparently and fairly for participants and customers and innovate responsibly. 

He also spearheaded efforts to invigorate agency-wide diversity and inclusion 

initiatives. During his legal studies, Chairman Behnam interned with CFTC’s 

Division of Enforcement. 

Kristin N. Johnson 

Commissioner 

Sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on March 30, 2022, after being nominated by 

President Joseph Biden in September 2021, and unanimously confirmed by the 

United States Senate. Commissioner Johnson is a nationally recognized expert on 

financial markets risk management law and policy with specialization in the 

regulation of complex financial products including the origination, distribution, 

and secondary market trading, clearing, and settlement of securities and 

derivatives. 

Christy Goldsmith Romero 

Commissioner 

Sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on March 30, 2022, after being nominated by 

President Joseph Biden in September 2021, and unanimously confirmed by the 

U.S. Senate. Prior to becoming a CFTC Commissioner, she served for a decade as 

the Special Inspector General for TARP (SIGTARP), where she led a nationwide 

federal law enforcement agency and watchdog program. Commissioner 

Goldsmith Romero has received national recognition for her work. 

Summer K. Mersinger 

Commissioner 

Sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on March 30, 2022, after being nominated by 

President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Prior to her 

appointment, Ms. Mersinger served as the Chief of Staff to CFTC Commissioner 

Dawn D. Stump. She also served as the Director of the Office of Legislative and 

Intergovernmental Affairs at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under 

former Chairman Heath Tarbert. 
 

 

 

 

 

Caroline D. Pham 

Commissioner 

Sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on April 14, 2022, after being nominated by 

President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Commissioner 

Pham is an internationally recognized leader in financial services compliance and 

regulatory strategy and policy, with deep expertise in derivatives and capital 

markets and emerging issues such as digital innovation. 

Tanisha Cole Edmonds 

Chief Diversity Officer and Director, Office of Minority and Women Inclusion 

Ms. Cole Edmonds is the first Chief Diversity Officer at the CFTC and a member of 

the CFTC’s Executive Leadership Team. She oversees the Office of Minority and 

Women Inclusion and leads the CFTC's efforts to integrate and promote diversity, 

equity, inclusion and accessibility across all levels of the CFTC's workforce and in 

its talent and business operations. Prior to joining the CFTC, Ms. Edmonds served 

as the Department of the Interior Deputy Chief Diversity Officer. 

Alex D. Tremble 

Executive Leadership Coach and Keynote Speaker 

Founder and CEO of GPS Leadership Solutions, a sought-after speaker, executive 

coach, author, and consultant with a passion for developing high-performing 

leaders. Alex's mission is to empower ambitious leaders to achieve their personal 

and professional goals by fostering clarity, intentionality, and leveraging strategic 

relationships across all facets of life and business. His revolutionary four-step 

methodology, the 4C Connection ModelTM, drives this transformation. 
Day 2: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Time Activities Speakers

2:00pm – 2:10pm Chief Diversity Officer: Welcome and 

Opening Remarks

Tanisha Cole Edmonds, Chief Diversity 

Officer and Director, Office of Minority 

and Women Inclusion

2:10pm – 3:05pm

Presentation: “Writing your Federal 

Resume” hosted by the Office of 

Personnel Management

Enimini Ekong, 

Talent Acquisition Specialist 

3:05pm – 3:15pm Break

3:15pm – 4:30pm Panel Discussion: “CFTC Career Paths”

Shivon Kershaw, Moderator 

Panelists:

John Hill, Risk Analyst

Jennifer Tveiten-Rifman, Special Counsel

Robert Howell, Deputy Director

Tamara Dervin, Auditor

Lihong McPhail, Research Economist 

Kate Cerveny, Project Manager

Judith Slowly, Futures Trading 

Investigator 

4:30pm – 4:40pm Break

4:40pm – 4:55pm

Presentation: “CFTC Internships and 

Student Volunteer Opportunities” 

hosted by Human Resources Branch 

Talent Management

Rolanda Morgan, 

Human Resources Specialist 

4:55pm - 5:00pm Closing Remarks

Tanisha Cole Edmonds, Chief Diversity 

Officer and Director, Office of Minority 

and Women Inclusion

Location: 

Zoom, click here to connect 

Time: Login Early:

2:00pm to 5:00pm EST 1:45 pm EST 

Agenda at a Glance 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Speakers for Day 2 

Enimini Ekong – Writing your Federal Resume 

Talent Acquisition Specialist, Office of Personnel Management 

Enimini Ekong serves a Talent Acquisition Specialist for the Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM) with over 13 years of federal experience. With a decade of 

experience in federal recruitment and hiring, Enimini has a robust track record 

of training supervisors on how to hire and equipping candidates with the tools 

necessary to be competitive in the federal application process. A native of 

Dallas, Texas, Enimini holds a B.A from Baylor University and an M.A from 

Morgan State University. 

Shivon Kershaw – Moderator 

Senior Innovation Advisor, Office of Technology Innovation 

Shivon leads CFTC’s strategic direction for digital asset education initiatives and 

innovator focused engagement. Having joined the CFTC in 2008, Shivon’s career 

has spanned many disciplines including having served as the agency’s Learning 

Officer, where she led teams responsible for conceptualizing and designing the 

agency’s programs, policy and budget with respect to educational 

initiatives. She has an MBA from Hampton University, and an Executive Masters 

from Harvard University. 

John Hill - Panelist 

Risk Analyst, Division of Clearing and Risk 

John has over 22 years of experience in the derivatives markets. He began his 

career at the Chicago Board of Trade. He then traded for his own proprietary 

account focusing on supply and demand fundamentals in the grain markets. He 

went back to graduate school and was hired by the CME Group as an 

Agricultural Economist. He was then appointed as the vice president of an 

agricultural collateral management technology firm. John then transitioned 

back to risk management compliance at the CFTC. 

Jennifer Tveiten Rifman – Panelist 

Special Counsel, Division of Market Oversight 

Jennifer is an attorney in the Compliance Branch of the Division of Market 

Oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, providing oversight 

and conducting examinations of futures and swaps exchanges from the Chicago 

office. Jennifer spent more than ten years in futures, derivatives, and securities 

compliance in the private sector before joining the Commission in 2020. Jennifer 

was the Co-chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Futures and Derivatives 

Committee for five years. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Howell - Panelist 

Deputy Director, Division of Enforcement Chicago Regional Office 

Robert Howell is a Deputy Director for the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement and 

oversees all enforcement activity conducted from the Chicago office. Prior to 

being appointed Deputy Director, he served as a chief trial attorney where he 

represented the Division in many enforcement actions, including matters 

stemming from allegations of manipulation, fraud, and trade practice 

misconduct. 

Tamara Dervin - Panelist 

Auditor, Market Participants Division 

Tamara has served as an Auditor at the CFTC within the Market Participants 

Division for 18 years. As an Auditor, she regularly monitors and audits an 

assigned set of Futures Commission Merchants and Swap Dealers for 

compliance with CFTC Regulations. Tamara currently serves as one of the CoChairs of the Association of African-Americans at the CFTC. She has a B.S. in 

Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and MBA in 

Finance and Marketing from Loyola University Chicago. 

Dr. Lihong McPhail - Panelist 

Research Economist and Head of Academic Outreach at CFTC’s Office of the 

Chief Economist 

Dr. Lihong McPhail serves as Research Economist and Head of Academic 

Outreach at CFTC’s Office of the Chief Economist. She spearheads initiatives to 

enlist top-tier economic and finance professionals for collaborative research 

projects. Meanwhile she provides economic analysis for numerous rulemakings 

and publishes research on derivatives markets. Prior to joining the CFTC, she 

was instrumental in building risk models and advancing financial research, 

underscored by her publications. 

Kate Cerveny - Panelist 

Project Manager, Division of Administration Information Technology Branch 

Kate Cerveny leads the Project Management Services team in the Information 

Technology branch of the CFTC. Originally from Texas, she has spent her career 

in IT after graduating with a B.A. in Professional and Technical Writing. She has 

also acquired an M.A. in Latin from the University of Maryland. Kate loves 

working in the public sector and enjoys wielding her technical and 

communication skills to enable the CFTC to succeed. 
 

 

 

 

 

Judith Slowly – Panelist 

Senior Futures Trading Investigator, Division of Enforcement 

Judith Slowly, MS, CFE, ACAMS began her career in the U.S. over twenty years 

ago. She is a Senior Futures Trading Investigator and is also a Certified Fraud 

Examiner and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. During her 

employment, Ms. Slowly found time while raising her family to obtain a Master 

of Science Degree in Fraud and Forensics from Carlow University. An avid 

crafter, Ms. Slowly enjoys spending time with her family and is an active 

participant in community service projects. 

Rolanda Morgan – CFTC Internships and Student Volunteer Opportunities 

Human Resources Specialist, Division of Administration 

Rolanda Morgan joined the CFTC as an HR Specialist in 2022. She started her 

federal career in 2011 as an intern with the Dept of Navy and later worked for 

the DOD, the EPA, and the NCUA partnering with senior leadership on strategic 

recruitment and hiring. A graduate of Old Dominion University, she received her 

BS in Counseling and soon after completed her MPA with a concentration in HR 

from Troy University. In her spare time, Rolanda enjoys traveling and being an 

amateur photographer. 
Day 3: Thursday, November 16, 2023

Time Activities Speakers

2:00pm – 2:10pm Chief Diversity Officer: Welcome and 

Opening Remarks

Tanisha Cole Edmonds, Chief Diversity 

Officer and Director, Office of Minority 

and Women Inclusion

2:10pm – 3:05pm

Presentation: “Navigating USAJOBS” 

hosted by the Office of Personnel 

Management

Lauren A. Foreman, 

Management and Program Analyst

3:05pm – 3:15pm Break

3:15pm – 4:30pm Panel Discussion: “CFTC Career Paths”

Shivon Kershaw, Moderator 

Panelists:

Marilee Dahlman, Special Counsel

Alan Simpson, Trail Attorney

Peter Sanchez, Attorney Advisor

Tamara Dervin, Auditor

Malcolm Alexander-Neal, Risk Analyst 

Lihong McPhail, Research Economist 

Kate Cerveny, Project Manager 

4:30pm – 4:40pm Break

4:40pm – 4:55pm

Presentation: “CFTC Internships and 

Student Volunteer Opportunities” 

hosted by Human Resources Branch 

Talent Management

Steven Inneh, 

Human Resources Specialist 

4:55pm - 5:00pm Closing Remarks

Tanisha Cole Edmonds, Chief Diversity 

Officer and Director, Office of Minority 

and Women Inclusion

Location: 

Zoom, click here to connect

Time: Login Early:

2:00pm to 5:00pm EST 1:45 pm EST 

Agenda at a Glance 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Speakers for Day 3 

Lauren A. Foreman – Navigating USAJOBS 

Management and Program Analyst, Office of Personnel Management 

Lauren A. Foreman was born in Brooklyn New York. Upon completing her 

diploma, she attended the College of New Rochelle, before enlisting in the 

United States Navy in 2008. While on active duty, she graduated with her 

bachelor’s in health care administration and a master’s in human resources 

management. In 2014, she finished her enlistment in the Navy and after 

graduating from college she was recruited under the Pathways Recent 

Graduate Program to work for the USAJOBS program office at OPM. 

Shivon Kershaw – Moderator 

Senior Innovation Advisor, Office of Technology Innovation 

Shivon leads CFTC’s strategic direction for digital asset education initiatives and 

innovator focused engagement. Having joined the CFTC in 2008, Shivon’s 

career has spanned many disciplines including having served as the agency’s 

Learning Officer, where she led teams responsible for conceptualizing and 

designing the agency’s programs, policy and budget with respect to 

educational initiatives. She has an MBA from Hampton University, and an 

Executive Masters from Harvard University. 

Marilee Dahlman – Panelist 

Special Counsel, Division of Market Oversight 

Marilee Dahlman is Special Counsel in the CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight, 

Compliance Branch. She has worked for CFTC since 2012. Prior to joining the 

agency, she was an associate in the New York office of the law firm Kaye 

Scholer LLP. She received a B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. 

from Cornell Law School. 

Alan Simpson – Panelist 

Trial Attorney, Division of Enforcement 

Alan Simpson serves as a trial attorney in the Division of Enforcement. From 

the Kansas City regional office, he investigates and prosecutes violations of the 

Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations across the country and 

internationally. Alan joined the Commission after four years with the U.S. 

Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, where he was a civil 

litigation generalist. Alan graduated from the from Washington University in St. 

Louis’s School of Law. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Sanchez – Panelist 

Attorney, Advisor, Market Participants Division 

Peter is the Acting Associate Director in the Market Participants Division. He 

has held several legal roles during his 20 years at the CFTC. He began his legal 

career as a Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions attorney for companies in 

the cable, telecommunications, and energy sectors. He received his 

undergraduate degree cum laude in Psychology from Brooklyn College, his JD 

magna cum laude from Southern Illinois University and an LL.M. from 

Georgetown University Law Center. 

Tamara Dervin - Panelist 

Auditor, Market Participants Division 

Tamara has served as an Auditor at the CFTC within the Market Participants 

Division for 18 years. As an Auditor, she regularly monitors and audits an 

assigned set of Futures Commission Merchants and Swap Dealers for 

compliance with CFTC Regulations. Tamara currently serves as one of the CoChairs of the Association of African-Americans at the CFTC. She has a B.S. in 

Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and MBA in 

Finance and Marketing from Loyola University Chicago. 

Malcolm Alexander-Neal – Panelist 

Risk Analyst, Division of Clearing and Risk & Union President at CFTC 

With a background in Finance and Accounting from MSU and Wayne State, 

Malcolm's expertise lies in financial regulation at the CFTC. He excels in 

examining clearinghouses and has been pivotal in DEIA initiatives, leading him 

to become the union president. His role balances technical acumen with a 

strong commitment to workplace inclusivity. 

Dr. Lihong McPhail - Panelist 

Research Economist and Head of Academic Outreach at CFTC’s Office of the 

Chief Economist 

Dr. Lihong McPhail serves as Research Economist and Head of Academic 

Outreach at CFTC’s Office of the Chief Economist. She spearheads initiatives to 

enlist top-tier economic and finance professionals for collaborative research 

projects. Meanwhile she provides economic analysis for numerous rulemakings 

and publishes research on derivatives markets. Prior to joining the CFTC, she 

was instrumental in building risk models and advancing financial research, 

underscored by her publications. 
 

 

Kate Cerveny - Panelist 

Project Manager, Division of Administration Information Technology Branch 

Kate Cerveny leads the Project Management Services team in the Information 

Technology branch of the CFTC. Originally from Texas, she has spent her career 

in IT after graduating with a B.A. in Professional and Technical Writing. She has 

also acquired an M.A. in Latin from the University of Maryland. Kate loves 

working in the public sector and enjoys wielding her technical and 

communication skills to enable the CFTC to succeed.