Nicole Young Scott
Nicole Young Scott is a dynamic financial executive with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles at the Internal Revenue Service, where she has built a reputation for excellence in finance, business planning, and strategic program management. Most recently, she served as Director of the Business Support Office for the Small Business/Self-Employed division, overseeing a $2.3 billion operating plan and leading a team of approximately 100 budget personnel. In this role, Nicole provided executive leadership on financial management, resource allocation, and staffing strategies, ensuring mission-critical goals were met while optimizing organizational efficiency.
Throughout her career, Nicole has held multiple senior positions, including Acting Director of Research, Assistant Director of Specialty Examination, and Assistant Director of the Taxpayer First Act Office. In each role, she has demonstrated a talent for cross-functional collaboration, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement. Nicole has led teams ranging from hundreds to over a thousand employees, developing innovative strategies to improve productivity, accuracy, and customer experience, while aligning operational outcomes with organizational goals.
A graduate of Morgan State University’s Graves School of Business & Management with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Nicole combines her technical expertise with a collaborative mindset to empower teams and drive sustainable results. She is committed to fostering organizational growth and efficiency and is currently seeking new opportunities in project management, finance leadership, and strategic advisory roles, with a focus on contributing her extensive experience to mission-driven initiatives in the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore area or through remote engagements.
• Senior Executive Service (SES) Certification – U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
• Morgan State University - Graves School of Business & Management- B.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, mentorship, and the values my parents instilled in me—my mom as a teacher and my dad in the military. Joining the IRS initially seemed temporary, but I quickly realized the impact I could make, and my career grew through dedication, seizing opportunities, and a commitment to leadership, professional development, and giving back.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to embrace growth in every role and not be afraid to step into new opportunities. Showing up, speaking up, and taking initiative taught me that resilience and visibility are key to advancing and making an impact.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the field is to trust your abilities, seek guidance when needed, and never shy away from the next step—sometimes the opportunities that feel the most challenging lead to the greatest impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field have been leading large teams through organizational change and navigating the competitive pathway to the Senior Executive Service, which demands both professional excellence and personal perseverance. At the same time, these challenges have offered opportunities to grow, refine leadership skills, and mentor others, lessons I continue to carry into my post-retirement work and speaking engagements.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that have guided me throughout my career are a strong work ethic, flexibility, and adaptability. I’ve found that combining these qualities allows me to navigate complex challenges, embrace change, and mentor others effectively, creating resilience both in my professional life and personal endeavors. Education, mentorship, and giving back have also been central, shaping my approach to leadership and continued impact beyond the IRS.