From 2019 to 2024, Jennifer O’Neal served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where she led a comprehensive modernization of the agency’s operations. Under her leadership, OMB implemented updated budgetary policies, streamlined procedures, and restructured several organizational units to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in government financial management.
A key part of O’Neal’s tenure was her leadership in federal funds management, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She played a critical role in overseeing and analyzing the flow of federal relief and stimulus funds, ensuring that resources were allocated strategically and equitably to meet the territory’s most urgent needs. Her careful stewardship helped strengthen fiscal oversight and supported the government’s recovery and resilience efforts.
O’Neal also placed a strong emphasis on workforce and office improvements within OMB. She championed upgrades to the physical workspace, encouraged the adoption of modern technology, and cultivated a more collaborative, professional work culture. These initiatives contributed to improved staff morale and organizational performance.
As a member of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s financial leadership team, O’Neal collaborated closely with the Department of Finance and the Internal Revenue Bureau on developing a unified interagency financial strategy. This coordination was instrumental in advancing the administration’s goals of fiscal stabilization and long-term economic sustainability for the Virgin Islands government.
Drawing on her academic and policy expertise in finance and public administration, O’Neal brought a balance of analytical rigor and practical insight to her role. Prior to becoming Director, she served as Deputy Director of OMB and Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Human Services, positions that provided her with deep institutional knowledge and a strong foundation for her leadership. Her tenure at OMB left a legacy of modernization, efficiency, and strengthened fiscal governance across the Government of the Virgin Islands.
