Michelle Sager

Michelle Sager is the Managing Director of GAO’s Strategic Issues team. She oversees work on government-wide governance, strategy, performance, and resource issues—including the High Risk program and the annual Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation reports. 

Michelle first joined GAO in 1998. Her work at GAO has included a broad range of policy issues including intergovernmental, evidence-based policy, open data, budget, regulatory, international trade, and postsecondary education. Michelle left GAO in 2016 to accept a position as Director of the Economic Opportunity Division in the nonpartisan nonprofit organization, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. She returned to GAO in 2018. Her prior experience also includes adjunct faculty, research, and legislative staff positions.

Michelle’s GAO experience includes working with INTOSAI’s Task Force on Financial Foresight (2011-2013) and Strategic Planning Task Forces (2013-2016) and (2019-2022). These experiences provided unparalleled opportunities to learn from counterparts around the world while furthering an appreciation for the importance of public sector oversight in varied national contexts.

Michelle earned a doctorate degree in public policy and a master’s degree in international commerce and policy from George Mason University. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from Truman State University.