Managing Your Finances During Professional Uncertainty
On September 16, 2025, Kieren Reilly, CFP, offered his insights on how international development professionals can manage their finances during this recent period of professional uncertainty and household financial instability. This session was his first with the Pivot with Purpose initiative, and Laura Sheehan (Georgetown SFS) moderated the discussion.
For many international development professionals (and many others), perhaps the greatest anxiety in these uncertain times stems from financial instability. Without a long-term plan or any sense of certainty, any change in career, city, or personal life can seem daunting.
Indeed, for Reilly, whether we are planning for our next move, taking a chance on an exciting (but less lucrative) opportunity, or considering retirement, ensuring your financial stability is vital. He believes everyone deserves access to fiduciary financial advice – and he was keen to offer it to our community.
Starting with “back to basics” cashflow management and building to nuanced debt and retirement plan (TSP/IRA) decisions, Reilly offered event attendees with strategies to keep our personal finances on track – empowering us to pursue your next chapter with confidence.
He also emphasized how important it is for us to take advantage of a wide range of free resources and DIY tools to help us plan for our financial futures.
Furthermore, Reilly implored session participants to assess common financial tradeoffs as well as our goals and wants carefully. Whether we reflect on our financial goals, discuss them with our families, or employ financial planners to help map out a route for us, developing and maintaining a thoughtful plan is critical for managing our assets during professional uncertainty and household financial instability.
To close his presentation, Reilly promised to help those impacted by federal layoffs. As a volunteer financial planner with Advisers Give Back , a 501(c)(3) non-profit on a mission to improve access to pro bono financial planning, he was excited to announce this organization’s offer for free personalized financial planning tailored to former government employees (and contractors) to help manage debt, build a budget, and plan for our career transitions.
He also shared many resources and online tools for attendees to use as they plan and execute their financial planning. (You can access them by visiting our Organizations Here to Help page)!
Ultimately, though he acknowledged the financial difficulties many of us face, he was optimistic that we had the resources and know-how to navigate this challenging period. With his advice and resources, we all stand to be on better financial footing as we pivot to new careers or into new chapters of our lives.
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During this event, Doody highlighted the key differences between offerings in the private and public sector; revealed how and when we should negotiate; explained what we should ask for during these negotiations (benefits included!), and offered advice on how to avoid common pitfalls.
While he acknowledged the difficulties in the current job market and the complexities of compensation negotiation, he urged us all to get more comfortable with the idea of working with hiring managers to obtain the pay, benefits, and other forms of compensation you deserve. We will always be our own best advocates, especially in terms of salary and benefits negotiation.
Provided we do so, he believes that we can all be able to employ strategies that help us evaluate job offers and prioritize what matters most more effectively.
Finally, at the end of the session, Doody kindly invited Pivot with Purpose attendees to download a complimentary copy of his book, Fearless Salary Negotiation , which will be a helpful guide as you begin interviewing and negotiating your job offers. This offer is only for a limited time, so if interested, please act quickly!
Other Previous Sessions
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