Success Stories
Briar Dunn: 2015 PMF
The Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) single handedly molded the foundation to my career. I was very fortunate to be selected into the class of 2015, and almost immediately hired at the Pentagon – in fact one of the only PMF's hired at the Pentagon that year. While working for the DOD, I was afforded a great opportunity to work in the office that facilitated the Defense Civilian Emerging Leadership Program, better known as DCELP (i.e. the program that sets one up to be an SES). The DCELP program pushed me and challenged me in ways I could not have imagined, and required I write a proposal to DOD leadership on a topic of my choosing. So, being an enthusiast I wrote a proposal on changing the ways the DOD hired millennials, with a focus on PMFs. The report was a success, and implemented shortly after my graduating from the DCELP program. The impact was immediate. The fact that a PMF got into the DCELP program and then presented on hiring more PMF was a “stroke of brilliance”, so said my SES boss, because it ignited the PMF program within the DOD again by having somebody with a passion to see more PMF's join the ranks.
After my time at the DOD, the Department of Homeland Security hired me; where I went on to flex my leadership and teamwork skills as an Asylum Officer interviewing individuals seeking protection within the U.S. I noticed quickly that I needed to adapt to this new arena or I would not meet the potential that all PMFs bring to the table. I realized interviewing people for asylum claims was not enough, and I wanted to help protect my nation from all forms of threats within the immigration world. Therefore, I found my way onto the Refugee Corp, within the Fraud Detection National Security unit, where I was vetting individuals that the FBI (and other agencies) have flagged for potential national security concerns. I relished in this season of my life, as I felt a great sense of purpose; nonetheless, as all PMF's do, I wanted to something bigger and greater.
After graduating the PMF program, I was quickly hired by the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office of International Affairs, where I currently work. I have been in my position for well over a year now, and my days are full of high-level meetings with the Commissioner, Secretary of Homeland, Congressmen and women, foreign governments, bilateral/multilateral functions, other U.S. governmental agencies, travel and so much more. Each task I am given requires me to use all the core competencies the PMF program taught me – leadership, adaptability, communication, empathy, teamwork, active listening to name a few. I am certain without a doubt that if I did not take on the PMF program, it’s trainings, its free movement around the government under the it’s umbrella, meet many other successful PMF's and embrace what it means to be both a leader and team player I wouldn’t have the success I currently am experiencing. It is truly rewarding being in the government for only four years now, and to have the SES member of my office ask me to travel to another country and represent the United States on matters of national security, because he trust in my capabilities whole heartedly. I say again, the Presidential Management Fellowship single handedly shaped my career, and has given me a unique prospective that many federal employees will never experience. For that, I am eternally grateful.