Rhonda Shaffer CGFM

Rhonda C. Shaffer is the Chief Financial Officer for Federal Student Aid (FSA), a Performance-Based Organization within the U.S. Department of Education. Appointed in January 2025, she oversees the budget and financial operations safeguarding the nation’s $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. Ms. Shaffer has more than 30 years of executive experience leading financial and strategic operations across private industry and the federal government. During her first year as CFO, Ms. Shaffer architected the Department of Education and FSA’s combined comprehensive CFO Audit strategy for fiscal year 2025. Demonstrating outstanding leadership and strategic foresight marked by a year of significant change, her team led the efforts that resulted in the Department of Education's first unqualified Balance Sheet audit opinion since FY 2021. She was awarded the AGA Montgomery/Prince George's County Chapter’s Distinguished Leadership Award for the 2025–2026 program year for her exceptional leadership within government and her significant contributions to advancing accountability, transparency, and excellence in public service. Ms. Shaffer holds a degree in accounting alongside advanced degrees in technology and decision science. She is a committed public servant and community volunteer; she also serves as an adjunct professor for George Mason University.