5 in 5: Jennifer Reed, Washington, DC’s Director of the Office of Budget and Performance Management

Results for America Fellowship Alumni give five answers in five minutes. This month, we caught up with Jennifer Reed, Director of the Office of Budget and Performance Management in Washington, DC.

1. Summarize what you do and how you do it.
   I use data and evidence to direct the efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars and ensure those dollars are going to programs and services meeting the needs of Washington, DC residents.
2. Share something exciting that you’re working on.
   The most exciting thing I’m working on right now is the Fiscal Year 2021 budget. This process takes all of the collective talent and ideas across Washington, DC’s government and puts them together to help achieve Mayor Bowser’s vision and goals for the District.
3. Tell us one thing you learned from someone else during your RFA Fellowship.
   I learned so much, there’s no way that I can pick just one! So, in no particular order: a) We weren’t alone in our struggles in this work and there is no one right answer. b) There are many different ways needed to tackle cross-governmental problems. While, yes, we’re dealing with agency specific issues — more often than not, we’re addressing complex issues that cut across agencies and stakeholders in the District. c) We discussed a lot about homelessness, workforce development, and data sharing (both administrative and policy) and it was beneficial to hear the different ways jurisdictions were tackling these challenges.
4. If you could wave a magic wand and have any data or evidence, what would it be?
   It would be information about the best programs, and what works, to get people moving up the economic ladder.
5. What’s the [pick-your-adjective] job you’ve ever had?
   My current job is the most rewarding — it’s both interesting and challenging. The coolest job I’ve ever had was working at Olsson’s Books and Records in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. I knew all of the latest books and albums and it was an institution in the District.

Interested in learning more about Washington, DC’s work? Read the December 20, 2018 case study on the Nurse Triage Line pilot to increase quality of care.

Jennifer Reed participated in Results for America’s Local Government Fellowship.