Sarah Nelson serves as the Senior Official responsible for performing the duties of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Inspector General (OIG), where she provides executive leadership and oversight in support of the OIG’s mission to promote integrity, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness in Department programs and operations. With more than 20 years of federal oversight and executive leadership experience, Ms. Nelson brings extensive expertise in auditing, financial management, technology, data analytics, organizational management, and strategic innovation.
Ms. Nelson returned to DOE OIG in June 2024 as the Assistant Inspector General for the Office of Management, where she leads multidisciplinary teams responsible for budget, human capital, information technology, financial management, policy, planning, and administrative operations.
Prior to rejoining DOE OIG, she served for two and a half years as the Deputy Inspector General for Innovation at the Department of Homeland Security OIG. In this role, she established and led the Office of Innovation, overseeing a broad portfolio of initiatives designed to modernize systems, strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, expand data analytics, and enhance organizational effectiveness. Her responsibilities included leading system modernization efforts; overseeing cybersecurity testing, including penetration testing and vulnerability assessments; and advancing data analytics capabilities to support informed decision-making, operational efficiency, and risk-based oversight. She also directed policy development, strategic planning, and enterprise risk management activities, including the establishment of performance metrics, strengthening organizational accountability, and managing mandatory reporting requirements.
From 2004 to 2021, Ms. Nelson held several senior leadership positions within DOE OIG, including Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Administration and Assistant Inspector General for Technology, Financial, and Analytics. During her tenure, she established the OIG’s first dedicated data analytics program office, expanding the organization’s ability to leverage data and technology in support of its oversight mission.
Ms. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting, finance, and information technology from Tennessee Wesleyan College and is a graduate of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Federal Executive Institute. Throughout her federal career, she has received numerous awards recognizing her exceptional performance, leadership, and contributions to public service.