Black Caucus Member Spotlight: Briony N. Towler

Briony Towler joined GFOA in 2023 and is excited to deepen her engagement as Secretary for the Black Caucus. Currently, she is the Controller at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Prior to her time there, she started her government journey with the State Budget Agency in January of 2020 after working in Financial Services for a large portion of her career. She is a proud alumna of the University of Southern Indiana where she gained her B.S. in Finance and Economics as well as her MBA.  As an Indianapolis native with a passion to pour into her community, she currently serves on the Finance Committee and regularly volunteers at Coburn Place Save Haven, a resource for long-term housing and services for victims of interpersonal violence. Outside of work, she enjoys boxing, Orangetheory, and music. She blends her passion for dance, music, and community as a company dancer with the Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company which uses a fusion of dance genres to explore political, social, and cultural narratives, and lived experiences of people of the African Diaspora.

Three Questions

What is the current (or most recent) book you are reading?

The current book I am reading is A Crown of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas. 

Who is the person that influenced you most in your life?

My parents. My dad has been a huge influence on me professionally with my work style, aspirations, and approach to career, and my mother has influenced my community involvement, participation in creative arts, and how I engage with those around me. They both have influenced and cultivated my love for music and performing arts.

Favorite personal motto or quote?

My favorite quote that I say aloud and in my head is “It’s above me now”. Though it is from a viral social media post, for me it represents not only opportunities for me to remove myself from unnecessary or improper situations, but also turn circumstances or situations over to God from a faith perspective.