RIF’d. Recharged. Reconnected.
A 1/2 day summit for foreign affairs professionals forging what’s next.
Join your peers, chart your path, and plug into new opportunities in diplomacy, development, and global business.
RIFdCON brings together individuals impacted by the recent reductions in force (RIF) within the U.S. State Department and federal government. This event provides a platform for career reinvention, offering expert-led sessions on navigating career transitions, leveraging technology for future opportunities, and building mental resilience. Attendees will gain valuable insights into adapting their government experience to the private sector, enhancing personal brands, and expanding professional networks. Join us for a day of practical advice, networking, and empowerment as we help you take the next step in your career journey.
Sessions will tentatively include:
9am to 9:10am – Opening Theme: Navigating Career Transitions: From RIF to Reinvention
Speaker: Christopher Stammer, 20-year contract instructor at the Foreign Service Institute (recently DOGEd)
As an executive trainer, consultant, and business-builder who has experienced the mean cycle of “feast or famine” over the course of his entrepreneurial career, Stammer will kick off the conference with a humorous, heartfelt presentation focused on change, compartmentalization, and strategies to position yourself for your Next Big Move. Stammer will discuss transitioning from government to private sector opportunities, freelance work, and the challenges and tribulation of starting your own businesses, and will wrap up with an introduction to Bonvalet, a strategic advisory platform he’s building to keep the RIF’d connected, growing, and always moving forward.
9:10am to 10:00am – Session 1: Mental Resilience and Rebuilding Confidence After Career Disruption
Speaker: Nate Zinsser, Ph.D. Sport Psychologist and author of the book “The Confident Mind”
Sport Psychologist to professional athletes, business executives, and the former director of the Center for Enhanced Performance at West Point, Nate Zinsser will address the psychological toll that job loss can have, particularly for those in high-stakes government positions. Zinsser will provide techniques for building mental resilience, overcoming imposter syndrome, and regaining confidence, as well as how to deal with the uncertainty and stress of career changes.
10:10am to 11:00am – Session 2: Rebooting Your Career with Purpose: How to Translate Federal Experience into Private-Sector Success
Speaker: Mark Langford, MBA Founder of C-Synergy Career Coaching and author of the book “Thank God It’s Wednesday”
As a leader of a company who provides companies and organizations access to “cleared talent”, this session will highlight how individuals impacted by RIF can leverage their unique government experience, credentials, and clearances in the private sector. Examples of how government skills like project management, international relations, security clearances, and regulatory compliance are highly valuable in the commercial world will be provided. The speaker will also share tips for marketing oneself to private employers and understanding the shift in the workplace over the last six months.
11:10am to 12pm – Session 3: Know Your Rights: Navigating Post-Federal Employment Legal Hurdles
Speaker: Pam Hicks, Employment Law Attorney and Founder of the D.C. Law Collective
Pam Hicks, a 30-year civil servant, employment law attorney, and founder of the D.C. Law Collective, will demystify the legal terrain many former federal employees now face. From NDAs and non-compete clauses to security clearance limitations and post-employment restrictions, Pam will explain what holds up in court—and what doesn’t. You’ll learn how to protect yourself, advocate for fair treatment, and confidently engage with new employers without jeopardizing your future. Whether you’re launching a business, consulting, or entering the private sector, this session will equip you with essential knowledge to avoid common legal missteps—and help you move forward on your own terms.
12:00pm to 1:00pm – Panel | Structured Networking | Closing Comments
Facilitator: Christopher Stammer, Founding Partner, Bonvalet
Grab your lunch, stretch your legs, and join a lightly facilitated networking session designed to reconnect and recharge. You’ll meet others in similar transitions, swap ideas, share resources, and maybe spark a collaboration or two. Whether you’re exploring next steps, launching something new, or simply seeking community, this hour offers space for meaningful conversations, supportive voices, and a reminder: you’re not navigating this alone.
Why Attend?
- Reclaim Community: Connect with fellow professionals navigating the same moment.
- Reimagine Your Future: Discover new career paths, including consulting, contracting, entrepreneurship, and global enterprise roles.
- Join Something Bigger: Get first access to the Bonvalet Network — a new force for modern diplomacy and strategic advising.
Who Should Attend
- Foreign Service Officers, Civil Service, LE staff, contractors
- Policy analysts, diplomats, and multilateral specialists
- Defense liaisons, political/econ officers, and global program leads
- Employers and consulting firms looking for elite talent
Free (for RIFd State/USAID employees)
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Free access to all live speaker sessions and Q&As
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Interactive networking with fellow RIF’d professionals
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Downloadable tools and post-event resource pack
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Invitation to the in-person happy hour (optional)
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Opportunity to explore joining the Bonvalet Advisor Network
Non-State/Recruiters/Industry
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Full access to all live speaker sessions and expert Q&As
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Insight into the talent, trends, and transition challenges shaping the post-federal workforce
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Networking with experienced former State/USAID professionals
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Downloadable resources, including talent profiles and briefing materials
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Opportunity to explore partnership or advisory engagement through the Bonvalet network