Gwendolyn Sykes
Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Secret Service

A brief bio on Ms. Gwendolyn Sykes

Gwendolyn Sykes is the United States Secret Service Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she is responsible for the execution, development and stewardship of the Secret Service's resources and currently manages a financial team that includes budget, financial management, relocation and financial systems experts.

Ms. Sykes began working with the Secret Service in May 2012, bringing with her a wealth of financial management skills and talent for organizational transformation and enhancement. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Sykes is the first African American female to serve as the Chief Financial Officer at NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate, she was responsible for the financial management and health of this $16 billion agency. Ms. Sykes led more than 500 finance professionals, located across ten geographically dispersed locations throughout the United States, in the development and execution of financial policies, processes and procedures.

She has also served as Yale University's Chief Financial Officer, the first in that university's 306-year history, and Chief Financial Officer for Morehouse College. Previous government experience includes working within the Department of Defense and in the office of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens.

Gwendolyn Sykes holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Catholic University and a Master of Public Administration from American University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Public Affairs. She has been recognized for her achievements by Black Enterprise, Newsweek, the Today Show and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.