JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- LaShunda Carter-Waterman loves seeing how her work directly impacts the lives of Airmen and Guardians. As a financial management specialist and budget liaison for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Detachment 5 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, she doesn't just crunch numbers – she ensures our nation's Warfighters have the resources they need to carry out critical missions.
LaShunda plays a key role in making that happen by overseeing the execution of an extensive budget portfolio, including more than $172 million for the Air Force District of Washington, providing vital decision support for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and Joint Base Andrews. She brings varied functional and leadership teams together to tackle funding requests, shortfalls and urgent needs, ensuring headquarters AFIMSC knows what's needed and where.
"Bringing different functional and leadership teams together to discuss and resolve their concerns is a key aspect of my role," she said.
LaShunda's detachment acts as a vital link between folks in the field and headquarters, ensuring smooth communication and coordination. This clarity empowers AFDW and AFIMSC leadership to make informed decisions that directly impact mission success for units in the National Capital Region.
"Having strong support behind Warfighters makes a big difference,” she said. “Financial stability can significantly impact their readiness and ability to make informed decisions."
Her commitment to excellence goes beyond her day job. She earned a master's degree in sports administration and even interned with Girls on the Run, gaining valuable experience in event planning, communication and relationship building.
For LaShunda, success is all about teamwork. Her mantra? "Let's discuss your requirement as a team so we’re all on the same page." This reflects her collaborative approach to problem solving and her dedication to ensuring the Department of the Air Force has what it needs to succeed.