From 2007 to 2015, under the DeJongh Administration, Debra Gottlieb served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), guiding the Government of the Virgin Islands through a period marked by fiscal challenges and recovery efforts following natural disasters. Her leadership was defined by a strategic and disciplined approach to budgeting, as she worked to strengthen the government’s financial stability and ensure the responsible allocation of limited public resources.
Gottlieb played a pivotal role in steering the territory’s financial strategy during times of economic uncertainty, ensuring that essential services continued despite fiscal constraints. She developed innovative financing mechanisms to monitor and manage federal funding dedicated to disaster mitigation and restoration projects—particularly those focused on rebuilding critical infrastructure such as energy and transportation systems. Her oversight ensured that these funds were used effectively and in accordance with federal requirements.
Drawing from her extensive background in the Virgin Islands Legislature and the Department of Education, Gottlieb brought a wealth of institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of public budgeting processes to her role at OMB. Having risen through the ranks over 16 years, she possessed an exceptional grasp of the agency’s internal operations and culture, which enabled her to lead with both technical expertise and organizational empathy.
Her tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on efficiency, accountability, and fiscal transparency, principles that became hallmarks of her administration. Gottlieb worked to enhance the capacity of OMB’s staff, streamline financial reporting systems, and strengthen interagency coordination to promote better financial planning and execution across the government.
Beyond her direct responsibilities at OMB, Gottlieb’s influence extended through her service on several key territorial boards, including the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, the Public Finance Authority, and CARILEC (the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation). These leadership roles reflected her broad impact on public finance, housing, and infrastructure planning within the Virgin Islands and across the region.
Debra Gottlieb’s tenure as Director left a lasting legacy of stability, modernization, and integrity in the management of the Virgin Islands’ public finances. Her steady leadership helped position OMB as a cornerstone of government accountability and financial discipline.
