SDA’s transition from Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA) to Certificate in Design Firm Operations (CDFO) reflects the evolving leadership role of today’s design firm professionals. To recognize the strength of the original CDFA, existing holders completed only the new Leadership section of the exam. Those who passed earned the CDFO—demonstrating both deep operational knowledge and the leadership skills shaping the future of the profession.

Leilani Rose, CDFO
Office Manager, Senior Associate at Semple Brown Design, P.C.

What inspired you to pursue the CDFO certification after having received your CDFA?
I was inspired to pursue the CDFO certification when I heard that it reflected more of a mid-career design administrator, in terms of leadership and experience.

How has earning your CDFO credential impacted your confidence, skills, or credibility in your role?
I feel that it is a tangible way to show my leadership team that I am striving to always learn and grow and improve my skillset.

Were there any doubts or hurdles you had to overcome in deciding to take the Leadership Section? How did you move past them?
It's a time commitment as you have to set aside time to study and schedule your test -- but signing up for the Path2Success program last fall helped me keep up with my reading, and scheduling my test helped me set a goal that I could work towards.

What surprised you most about the preparation or exam process?
Understanding my own leadership style better, and also recognizing what didn't work for me.

Did you engage with the Path2Success program, CDFO Study Group, mentor, or other resources? If so, how did it help?
I signed up for the Fall 2024 Path2Success program, and we read and discussed the "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" book; it is one of reading materials towards the CDFO portion of the exam, so it helped me study for the exam.

What topic or section challenged you the most--and how did you tackle it?
A lot of contemporary books on leadership, including the ones that were the recommended readings, felt a little male-centric while a majority of design administrators tend to be female, so I felt a dissonance there and felt like there was something missing. I tackled it by taking what I could learn and applying it the best I could.

How have your employer or colleagues responded to your certification?
They were very proud and happy to know that I gained this new certification.

What would you say to someone in the A/E industry who is unsure if the CDFO credential is worth it?
The CDFO certification is a great way to demonstrate your experience and leadership as a design administrator, and it can show your leadership team that you are constantly striving for improvement. There are so few certifications specifically geared towards our role in this industry, so why not take advantage of a certification that is widely recognized across the A/E industry?