55th Annual Spring Symposium Keynote Speakers

Kenneth Kies, U.S. Treasury Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy–Nominee (Invited)

Danny Werfel served as the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As Commissioner, he presided over the nation’s tax system, which collects approximately $4.1 trillion in tax revenue each year representing about 96% of the total gross receipts of the United States. While Commissioner, he spearheaded a dramatic transformation of the IRS, achieving significant improvements across all dimensions of the operation, including an unprecedented hiring surge, the launch of more digital solutions in a two-year period than the previous 20 combined, and deploying targeted management interventions to reach historic high-watermarks on key performance indicators, such as customer service, transaction processing timelines, and increased receipts.

Danny has an extensive range of experience inside and outside of government. Prior to becoming Commissioner, he was the global leader of Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Public Sector practice, where he worked with government agencies worldwide on finances, service delivery, transformation plans and risk-assessment initiatives.

Before joining BCG in 2014, Danny served in the federal government for more than 15 years, including seven months as Acting Commissioner of the IRS from May to December 2013. Prior to his appointment as Acting Commissioner, he was Controller of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he led efforts across the federal government to improve program integrity, including all areas of financial management, financial reporting, accounting standards, improper payments and financial systems, among others. During his time at OMB, he served under nine different directors in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He has also served as a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

Danny holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Duke University, a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.