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September 28th October 1st 2025
PHILADELPHIA MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN
OUR MISSION:
TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN FISCAL MANAGEMENT TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Mindful of our special ministry in the Catholic Church as the extension of the diocesan bishop in fiscal matters, the members of the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference (DFMC) unite to be of service to the Church in the ministry of fiscal management.
In particular, this organization:
• Promotes the spiritual growth of its members.
• Encourages the development of professional relationships of its members.
• Facilitates the free exchange of ideas and information.
• Provides fiscal and administrative expertise and professional services to the Church.
NASBA APPROVES DFMC AS CPE SPONSOR
The Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference (DFMC) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of the continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org
The DFMC is an approved sponsor on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. The Registry is a program developed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to recognize sponsors for their ability to meet nationally accepted standards for continuing professional education.
To become registered, a sponsor must undergo a comprehensive review of its methods of course presentation, measurement, development and reporting. As a registered sponsor, the DFMC has demonstrated its ability to meet the standards for CPE that have been established for the accounting profession, as well as its commitment to a national system that promotes the delivery of high quality continuing professional education nationwide.
The Conference will be available for up to 21 hours of credit. There are no prerequisites and/ or advanced preparation required for this course other than working for a diocesan accounting and finance office or in diocesan leadership. The course is offered as an update. The objectives for each presentation are listed in the formal program for each individual session. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaint and refund, please contact our office at: 625 W. Deer Valley Rd., Ste. 103-410, Phoenix, AZ 85027 (602-992-2900).
CERTIFIED DIOCESAN FISCAL MANAGER
CDFM 2025 – Exam Offering
The Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference is pleased to offer the opportunity for qualified DFMC Members to sit for the Certified Diocesan Fiscal Manager designation examination (CDFM) on Friday, October 10, 2025. The exam will be administered online by the Center for Church Management and Business Ethics at the University of Villanova.
The CDFM credential indicates a demonstrated commitment to professional ministerial excellence based upon the application of temporal competencies and the highest of ethical standards to the advancement of the mission of the Catholic Church. The list of prerequisites to sit for the CDFM exam, a study guide, and application are available within our Members Only area of the DFMC website as well as from our DFMC National Office.
The examination seeks to establish demonstrated competencies in each of 16 key fiscal management disciplines, including accounting principles and internal controls, auditing and forensic accounting, Catholic education, cemeteries and Church structure including Book V of the Code of Canon Law. In addition, the CDFM exam tests knowledge of environmental safety and property management, health insurance, human resources, investments and financing, information technology, civil law, organizational not-for-profit taxes, pensions, priests’ income taxes, property insurance, stewardship and development topics.
You are invited to join those DFMC colleagues who have successfully achieved this professional certification by submitting your application to sit for the CDFM examination to the DFMC National Office by October 5, 2025.
The CDFM exam is offered online by the Center for Church Management and Business Ethics at the University of Villanova.
The online CDFM exam will be Friday, October 10, 2025. More information is available on the members' section of the DFMC website: www.dfmconf.org
DFMC 2025 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
9:00 am - 7:00 pm Registration Open
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm New Member Orientation
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Certified Diocesan Fiscal Manager (“CDFM”) Overview
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Internal Audit Forum
Bring your ideas, questions, and comments to this forum for networking and sharing with other internal auditors and fiscal managers in an informal setting.
Internal Audit Forum is made possible in part through a generous gift from Armanino
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm SPECIAL RECEPTION FOR SPOUSES/PERSONAL GUESTS (New for 2025)
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm SESSION I - GENERAL SESSION
BUSINESS MEETING AND OPENING RECEPTION
Welcome: Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Archbishop Perez is the 10th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, having been appointed by Pope Francis on January 23, 2020. Ordained a priest in Philadelphia, he was previously the Bishop of Cleveland and the Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre. His Episcopal Motto is: “Confide et spera” ("trust and hope").
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm SUNDAY NIGHT OPENING RECEPTION
Sunday Night Opening Reception is made possible in part through a generous gift from Boyd Watterson Asset Management | CBIS | Hirtle Callaghan & Co. | Recur360
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
7:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration Open
7:00 am - 4:00 pm For prayer and adoration, attendees are invited to visit a room designated as a Chapel at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
7:00 am - 7:30 am Sacrament of Reconciliation
7:00 am - 7:30 am The Rosary
7:30 am - 8:30 am Mass at the Hotel - Celebrated by Bishop James Golka, Diocese of Colorado Springs
8:30 am - 9:30 am Monday Breakfast
Monday Breakfast is made possible in part through a generous gift from Husch Blackwell
9:30 am - 10:30 am SESSION II - GENERAL SESSION
Catholicism and Executive Leadership
General Maryanne Miller, United States Air Force 4-Star General (Retired)
General Miller was commissioned in 1981 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at The Ohio State University. She is a command pilot with more than 4,800 flying hours in numerous Air Force aircraft. Her last position before retirement from the Air Force in October of 2020 was Commander, Air Mobility Command. Today, she dedicates herself to service in the Catholic Church to benefit the poor and children in need.
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from Logan Capital
10:30 am - 11:00 am Monday AM Beverage Break
This beverage break is made possible in part through a generous gift from CapinCrouse LLC
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
11:00 am - Noon SESSION III - GENERAL SESSION
Education Panel Discussion: Superintendents of Three Catholic Dioceses
Mrs. Stacie Stueber, Diocese of Bridgeport; Dr. Lou De Angelo, Diocese of Wilmington; Dr. Michael St. Pierre, Diocese of Allentown
Three Superintendents of Catholic dioceses; one small, one medium-sized, one large; from three different states will share their perspectives on the state of Catholic education and allow DFMC Conference members the chance to dialogue with them on critical issues.
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from CapinCrouse LLC
Noon - 1:00 pm Monday Lunch
Monday Lunch is made possible in part through a generous gift from Innovest Portfolio
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Monday PM Dessert With Exhibitors/Opening of Exhibit Hall
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm SESSIONS IV & V - CONCURRENT SESSIONS A and Blockchain/Crypto 101
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Kristine Cranley, Founder of Noah's Bitcoin
A former Sisters of Life novitiate in New York City, Kristine Cranley is the CEO of Noah's Bitcoin and an expert on cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. She is an officer of the Texas Blockchain Council and a director at PM Squared Financial, a Texas-based registered investment advisor.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm SESSIONS IV & V - CONCURRENT SESSIONS B and Management/Sale/Acquisition of Church Real Property Assets
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm John Meyer, Executive Director of the Church Properties Initiative, University of Notre Dame Law School
John Meyer is an expert in real estate development financing. As leader of CPI at the University of Notre Dame, John's mission is to drive proactive stewardship of Church Property. Prior to joining the University of Notre Dame, John was the Executive Director of the Napa Institute for a decade.
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from CBIZ Valuation Group, LLC
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm SESSIONS IV & V - CONCURRENT SESSIONS C and Tax/Administrative Update
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Jennifer Gniady, Partner and Co-Chair of the Nonprofit & Religious Institutions practice group of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP
Jennifer Gniady is a graduate of Fordham University School of Law and clerked for the D.C. Court of Appeals before entering private practice in the Washington, D.C. area. Her clients include religious organizations, charities, associations, and schools. Jennifer routinely advises nonprofits on governance issues, represents clients responding to inquiries from federal, state, and local charitable regulators and manages litigation.
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from Boston Partners
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Monday PM Beverage Break With Exhibitors
This beverage break is made possible in part through a generous gift from Brandywine Asset Management
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Monday Evening Exhibit Hall Reception
This reception is made possible in part through a generous gift from Inspire Investing
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
7:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration Open
7:00 am - 3:30 pm For prayer and adoration, attendees are invited to visit a room designated as a Chapel at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
7:00 am - 8:30 am Sacrament of Reconciliation
7:00 am - 8:30 am Tuesday Breakfast
Tuesday breakfast is made possible in part through a generous gift from Mercer
7:00 am - 8:30 am
Tuesday AM Coffee Reception & Pastries with Exhibitors
This reception is made possible in part through a generous gift from Armanino
8:30 am - 9:30 am SESSION VI - GENERAL SESSION
State of the Church
Dan Cellucci, CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI)
Dan Cellucci is CEO of Catholic Leadership Institute, an apostolate providing leadership training and consulting to more than 300 bishops, 6,000 priests, and over 39,000 deacons, religious and lay leaders in more than 120 dioceses.
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Tuesday AM Beverage Break with Exhibitors
This beverage break is made possible in part through a generous gift from Inspire Investing
10:30 am - 11:30 am SESSION VII - GENERAL SESSION
Gender Ideology & Catholic Institutions
Joseph Meaney, PhD, Immediate Past President and Senior Fellow of the National Catholic Bioethics Center
Dr. Joseph Meaney is one of the world's foremost experts on bioethics. His research and analysis on the rise of gender ideology in the United States and other nations is extensive, and he frequently counsels Catholic dioceses and other institutions on how to manage these dynamics in accordance with the Church's teachings and in compliance with the law.
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Tuesday Lunch and Time with Exhibitors; Raffle, Closing Exhibits
Tuesday lunch is made possible in part through a generous gift from CapinCrouse LLC
SESSIONS VIII & IX - CONCURRENT SESSIONS A and Canon Law
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Msgr. William King, Assistant Professor, School of Canon Law and Adjunct Professor, Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America and Associate Editor of the Rotal Jurisprudence Journal
Monsignor William King is one of the top experts on Canon Law in the United States.
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from Income Research + Management
SESSIONS VIII & IX - CONCURRENT SESSIONS B and Accounting Regulatory / Practice Standards Update
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Gregory Monahan, Assistant Professor, Busch School of Business, The Catholic University of America and retired IRS Special Agent for Criminal Investigation
Professor Monahan is a veteran law enforcement officer, financial strategist, and corporate executive. A CPA, he teaches accounting and tax courses at CUA.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm SESSIONS VIII & IX - CONCURRENT SESSIONS C and Insurance/Risk Management
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Ken Porter, Principal and Co-Founder, Porter & Curtis
Ken Porter has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and specializes in strategies for Catholic dioceses.
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from Gallagher
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 CONTINUED
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Tuesday PM Beverage Break with Exhibitors
2:30 pm Exhibit Hall Closes
4:00 pm Eucharistic Procession
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
7:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration Open
7:00 am - 4:00 pm For prayer and adoration, attendees are invited to visit a room designated as a Chapel at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
7:00 am - 7:30 am Sacrament of Reconciliation
7:00 am - 7:30 am The Rosary
7:30 am - 8:30 am Mass at the Hotel
Celebrated by Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia
8:30 am - 9:30 am Wednesday Breakfast
9:30 am - 10:30 am SESSIONS X & XI - CONCURRENT SESSIONS A and Platinum Sponsor - Notre Dame Federal Credit Union 11:00 am - Noon
9:30 am - 10:30 am SESSIONS X & XI - CONCURRENT SESSIONS B and Platinum Sponsor - Graystone from Morgan Stanley 11:00 am - Noon
9:30 am - 10:30 am SESSIONS X & XI - CONCURRENT SESSIONS C and Platinum Sponsor - PushPay
11:00 am - Noon
9:30 am - 10:30 am SESSIONS X & XI - CONCURRENT SESSIONS D and Platinum Sponsor - First Trust 11:00 am - Noon
10:30 am - 11:00 am Wednesday AM Beverage Break
This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from Waldorf Risk Solutions
Noon - 1:45 pm GENERAL SESSION XII - BUSINESS LUNCH
Finding God in the Ordinary & Extraordinary
Dcn. Eric Simontis, Chief Financial Officer, Diocese of San Jose
Deacon Eric Simontis is an experienced CFO for Catholic dioceses and prior to that was a corporate executive. He is the Board Secretary of the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference. This session is made possible in part through a generous gift from Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm SESSION XIII - GENERAL SESSION
Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing
Fr. Collins C. Obidiagha, Priest-in-Tech and Lecturer at Arrupe Jesuit University (AJU) in Harare, Zimbabwe
Fr. Collins is an African Jesuit priest and technology expert. His diverse career has taken him across Africa, North America, and beyond teaching about advanced computing, cybersecurity, A.I., and other topics.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Wednesday PM Beverage Break
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm SESSION XIV - GENERAL SESSION
Business Regulation, Conducting an Employment Law Audit
Charles "Chuck" Ormsby, Managing Partner, Semanoff, Ormsby, Greenberg, & Torchia, LLC
Chuck Ormsby is among the most accomplished business lawyers in Pennsylvania. He is the Chairman of his firm's corporate law department and is an expert on business administration and employment law. A devout, practicing Catholic, he dedicates much of his time to pro bono service to the Catholic Church and its apostolates.
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Wednesday Closing Reception
DFMC SPECIAL FRIENDS
The Notepads and Pens are made possible in part through a generous gift from: BISHOPS' PLAN INSURANCE COMPANY (BPIC)
The Phone App is made possible in part through a generous gift from: SAGE
The Tote Bags are made possible in part through a generous gift from: SKYLINE CLOUD
SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 1, 2025 DIOCESAN FISCAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION INFORMATION HOTEL INFORMATION
CONFERENCE (DFMC MEMBERS)
By Friday, July 11, 2025 ............... $750*
After Friday, July 11, 2025 $850*
DFMC PROFESSIONAL GUEST S $975*
Professionals serving Arch/Diocese, such as Outside Auditor or Outside Legal Counsel (e.g. non-competitive professions to exhibitors) approved by the Executive Director.
SPOUSE OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY..............$300* CHILD..............$50*
*All registration amounts on this page are in U.S. Dollars.
REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE ONLINE AT:
2025 Member Conference Registration - Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference (dfmconf.org)
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown 1201 Market Street
(Guest Entrance at 1200 Filbert Street) Philadelphia, PA, 19107 (215) 625-2900
RESERVE YOUR ROOM ONLINE AT:
DFMC Member Registration
Room reservations are subject to availability at time of booking.
DFMC Group Rate Expires Friday, August 29, 2025.
Please reserve early for best availability.
