A Message from the PY26 Chapter President

Welcome to Program Year 2026!

We’re already off and running, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead for the Gateway Chapter. We kicked things off with our September Padel + Pickle officer retreat and membership event, followed by our always-popular FAR/DFAR update in October, a Certification Info Session in November, and our Holiday Happy Hour and Gateway180 baby item drive is happening on December 16th. That’s a lot of connection, learning, and community impact in just a few months—and we’re just getting warmed up. 

Looking ahead, we’ve got a full slate of opportunities for you to grow your skills and your network. In early 2026, we’re planning an in-person panel at Boeing with DCMA, a joint event with the Alaska Chapter on contract fraud and real-world case examples, our Trivia Night fundraiser in March, and a full One Day of Training in April at Thompson Coburn, LLC with deep dives into some of the hot topics like changes & equitable adjustments, data rights, commercial item acquisition, and negotiations...stay tuned for final agenda! We’ll round out the year with a member celebration. Planning has already started for our chapter’s 60th anniversary next year! That will be an event to remember!

None of this happens without our incredible volunteers. I’m grateful for our leadership team—Joe, Tawanda, Christina, Suzanne, Steve, Jessica, Sacandice, Jay, Karen, Sheerie, and others who are stepping up behind the scenes to plan events, manage membership, run finances, coordinate marketing, and keep everything moving. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, this is the perfect year to raise your hand—whether that’s helping with Trivia Night, speaking at a program, recruiting sponsors, or serving on a committee.

As your chapter president, my goal is simple: build a strong, welcoming community where contract management professionals at every stage of their careers can learn, share, and belong. We’re offering a mix of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events so there’s something that fits your schedule and comfort level. If you have a topic idea, a speaker recommendation, or a challenge you’d like to see us tackle, please reach out—we build the best programs when they come from you.

Here’s to a powerful PY26—full of learning, laughter, and meaningful connections. I can’t wait to see you online, at an event, or out on the pickleball court or trivia floor.

Cheers to PY26!

Milva Finnegan
President, St. Louis Gateway Chapter, NCMA