Tonya R. Johnson-Simmons

Mrs. Tonya R. Johnson-Simmons, an accomplished Executive in the Federal Government, currently holds the esteemed position of Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Deputy CFO) for the Department of the Interior (DOI). As a trailblazer, she stands as the first woman to be appointed to this pivotal role, overseeing an impressive portfolio of $167 billion in assets.

In her multifaceted role, Mrs. Johnson-Simmons serves not only as the Deputy CFO but also assumes the responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Financial Management, Senior Travel Official, and Donations Senior Manager within the Department. Reporting directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Finance, Grants, and Acquisition, she plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing financial policies, accounting practices, and strategic financial initiatives.

With an extensive 32-year career in the Federal Government, Mrs. Johnson-Simmons is widely recognized as an expert in financial management and accounting. Her purview includes providing strategic direction, planning, monitoring, oversight, and coordination across various financial domains such as policy, reporting, analysis, data analytics, travel management, public-private partnerships, donation processing, internal control reviews, fraud awareness, risk management, and audits—both internal and external.

Most recently, Mrs. Johnson-Simmons achievements include being recognized as a 2024 Presidential Rank Award Distinguished Rank Recipient, an awardee of the top 10 CFOs in the country, she is featured in Key Executives (formerly C-Suite) as a trailblazing financial leader, and Personiv CFO Weekly Podcast for her extraordinary financial management insight and changes at the Department. Under her leadership the Department has received four consecutive Best in Class Awards from the AGA for the Agency Financial Report (AFR) and has remediated CFO Act audit findings from nineteen to only two.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mrs. Johnson-Simmons holds academic accolades, including a Master of Accountancy with a concentration in Forensic Accounting from Strayer University, an MBA from the University of Maryland, and a B.S. in Accounting. She is a distinguished graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Senior Fellows. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Liberty University, Mrs. Johnson-Simmons is a proud former Norfolk State University Spartan, hailing from Suffolk, VA.