

Category 3: Using Innovation, Data, and Breaking Down Organizational Barriers
DOTTIE ROMO
Chief Operating Officer
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Department of the Treasury

Dottie Romo is being honored for leading a historic transformation of IRS operations, modernizing how the agency serves more than 150 million taxpayers each year. Overseeing 75,000 employees and a $20 billion budget, Dottie has championed an enterprise-wide, taxpayer-first approach that integrates digital, phone, and in-person services while using data, automation, and technology to make interactions with the IRS faster, simpler, and more responsive.
Under her leadership, the IRS has reduced processing and response times by more than 25% while expanding secure digital self-service capabilities that allow taxpayers to access accounts, submit documents, and resolve issues more efficiently. She has also prioritized multilingual and accessible services to better reach underserved communities. Real-time performance monitoring and data analytics have strengthened transparency and reliability, while integrated operations have broken down organizational silos and empowered employees to focus on higher-value taxpayer needs.
These improvements have delivered meaningful benefits for taxpayers and the federal workforce. Individuals and businesses receive faster answers, refunds, and resolutions while gaining greater flexibility to manage tax matters digitally. Employees benefit from modernized systems, reduced manual workloads, stronger collaboration, and clearer performance insights. Dottie's focus on operational resilience has also helped the IRS maintain service during peak filing seasons and major legislative changes, creating a stronger foundation for efficient, equitable, and accountable taxpayer service.