Tonya R. Johnson-Simmons has emerged as a trailblazer in her role as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer (DCFO) and Director of the Office of Financial Management (PFM) for the Department of the Interior. Notably, she is the first woman to hold this esteemed position, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront.
With a distinguished career spanning 32 years, Johnson-Simmons has been a driving force behind improved financial reporting and refined methods for combating fraud within the federal government. Her commitment to accountability is evidenced by her oversight of financial assets totaling $167 billion for various bureaus, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, and U.S. Geological Survey.
Since her appointment to the Senior Executive Service in November 2016, under the Obama Administration, Johnson-Simmons has managed financial services operations exceeding $1.2 trillion, showcasing her adeptness in handling complex and sensitive programs with confidence and efficiency.
Her academic prowess includes a Master of Accountancy with a concentration in Forensic Accounting from Strayer University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Additionally, she is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Senior Fellows, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and development.
Beyond her impressive resume, Johnson-Simmons has spearheaded innovation within the Department of the Interior. Recognizing the power of technology, she emphasizes digitization for streamlined processes, making data-driven decisions, and leveraging electronic data for faster and more efficient operations.
Under her leadership, a DOI Financial Management training program was implemented, reaching all 70,000 DOI employees virtually. This initiative resulted in improved data literacy and fostered a more innovative spirit throughout the department.
Johnson-Simmons's commitment to innovation extends to the establishment of an internal DOI Chief Financial Officer Council, providing a platform for regular discussions on innovation across the 11 DOI Bureaus. Furthermore, she introduced a suggestion platform allowing all employees to contribute ideas for innovation, with a keen focus on implementing bots and e-invoicing solutions to automate financial processes.
In 2020, her forward-thinking approach yielded significant results, with 80% of targeted undelivered orders completed by bots, surpassing their 75% target.
In the words of Johnson-Simmons, "Don’t be afraid to try. Whether you’re trying to connect with an executive to ask questions or trying to implement a new technology to fix a problem, at best, you’ll have a success story and at worst, you’ll have a lesson learned- and both are worth sharing."
Her philosophy on innovation encapsulates a fearless approach—encouraging individuals to try new technologies and approaches, emphasizing that both successes and lessons learned are invaluable.