Celina Casado

MPA Fellows, Class of 2028

Financial Analyst, Town of Darien, CT

I am a Financial Analyst in the Finance Department for the Town of Darien, Connecticut, with more than 10 years of experience in local government finance. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Technology from the University of Connecticut and have continued my professional development through multiple Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) courses, including Government Accounting and Budgeting, as well as Tyler Technologies conferences focused on enhancing my expertise in Munis financial systems.

For the past ten years, I have served the Town of Darien under three different Finance Directors. While each leader brought unique priorities and management styles, I have gained valuable insight from each of them and developed a strong understanding of effective financial management, organizational leadership, and public service. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to continuous improvement, implementing procedural enhancements and promoting efficiencies that improve the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of work within the Finance Department.

In addition to my responsibilities as a Financial Analyst, I supervise the Accounts Payable function and work closely with the Assistant Finance Director and Finance Director on key financial operations and strategic initiatives. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills and reinforced my commitment to serving local government at a higher level.

I am pursuing a Master of Public Administration to expand my knowledge of public management, leadership, and policy while preparing for future leadership opportunities. My professional goal is to become Assistant Finance Director and ultimately serve as Finance Director and Town Administrator. Through the MPA program, I hope to build upon my experience, strengthen my leadership capabilities, and contribute to the continued success of local government organizations and the communities they serve.