Leader of the Month: Terry Riffel, Department of Veteran Affairs

Women Leaders in Defense and Government (WLDG) is a community of the top female thought leaders across the US Government from the armed forces to the VA. You might be familiar with WLDG from IDGA conferences where WLDG typically hosts women's networking breaks, but now, WLDG is making the jump online with a new series.

Leader of the Month is a new column series from WLDG focused on highlighting one female speaker from a past or upcoming IDGA event. Once a month WLDG will sit down with a powerful female decision maker in the US government to discuss their career progression, lessons learned along the way, and advice they would give to the next generation of women interested in becoming civil servants.

For the first Leader of the Month column, WLDG is excited to introduce Terry Riffel, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Management Business Transformation Service at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Riffel has nearly 40 years of experience in public service at the VA, and in her current role, she oversees the FMBT program and the delivery of the Integrated Financial and Acquisition Management System (iFAMS). The system is a multibillion-dollar implementation being done in partnership with VA Administrations and Staff Offices, delivering VA’s first integrated solution for financial and acquisition management activities.

In July, IDGA caught up with Terry at the VA Healthcare Summit and conducted the first interview for the Leader of the Month series. During the conversation, Terry shares her thoughts on diversity and inclusion efforts in the VA, role models that had an impact on her, and much more.

How have you seen the VA grow efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the organization?

I've been with the VA for nearly 39 years, starting as a GS3 ward clerk at a VA Medical Center. Over the years, I've seen significant changes in how the VA promotes diversity and inclusion, particularly for women. When I first started in the late 80s, it was much more challenging for women to get promoted—it often felt like a "good old boy" system. However, by the mid to late 90s, there was a noticeable shift. The VA began making concerted efforts to promote women, including diverse women, into leadership roles. As a Hispanic woman, it was important to me that my accomplishments were recognized based on merit, rather than being labeled. I believe the VA has made substantial progress in this area, ensuring that individuals are evaluated and promoted based on their capabilities and contributions, which reflects the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

Have you had any female role models during your time at the VA? How have they influenced your professional growth? 

Yes, I've had a few role models during my time at the VA, though, to be honest, most were male. However, there was one female role model who really stood out to me. When I was a GS7 at the VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC, she was two levels above me. She took the time to talk to me, encouraging me by saying, "Terry, I see something in you. What are your interests?" This support was crucial, as it gave me the boost of confidence I needed to take those extra steps in my career. Her mentorship and encouragement were instrumental in my professional growth and shows the impact that can be had when women help women. 

How do you stay motivated and maintain a sense of purpose in your work at the VA?

I think what keeps me motivated and help maintain a sense of purpose in my work is focusing on the value I can bring to each role. For me, it's never been just about getting promoted; it's about whether I can truly add value to the job and take on new challenges. I've been fortunate to have positions that allow me to grow and do what I love, like running the Financial Services Center, one of the organizations under my leadership. It's a shared service franchise organization, where we operate like a business, and it's incredibly rewarding. Opportunities such as the one with the Financial Services Center have shown me that being able to innovate and find the right fit in my work is what keeps me motivated and engaged every day. 

What advice would you give to other women looking to pursue a career at the VA?

I actually just had a young woman approach me at this conference (VA Healthcare Summit) and ask me how to get into policy at the VA. She’s a nurse and was passionate about transitioning into a new role. I advised her to go talk to the speaker who had just presented on the topic she was interested in . She hesitated, saying she couldn’t do that, and I told her, “But you can! Just share your passion and interest with him, just like you did with me.”

So, the advice I’d give to other women looking to pursue a career at the VA is simple: don’t be afraid to take that step. Be confident in what you’re doing because the only thing that can hold you back is yourself. Embrace your passion, take the initiative, and believe in your ability to make a difference. 

Why do you think events such as the VA Healthcare Summit are critical for the VA?

I think it’s important to attend the VA Healthcare Summit because it brings together different parts of the VA, as well as industry and DoD, from both medical and technology perspectives. What makes this event stand out is its ability to bridge the gap between these areas, fostering collaboration and innovation across disciplines. It’s one of the few conferences that truly expands beyond just medical or technology, creating a unique opportunity for diverse stakeholders to come together and share insights. 

Join us for VA Healthcare 2025

IDGA's Veterans Affairs Healthcare Summit is now in its 19th iteration and is an industry-wide staple for those supporting the VA’s mission set. Our partners across the military, government, private and non-profit healthcare sector, academia and consultant communities have consistently made this event a marquee gathering for senior stakeholders, technology experts, industry innovators, clinicians, nurses and administrators. With our Summit regularly hosting over 500+ attendees, this engagement opportunity will provide those leaders across the VA Healthcare ecosystem the chance to learn, share, and connect with our nation’s veterans to improve health outcomes, care access, and delivery. 

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