Her Story
About Nancy
Nancy O'Malley is an accomplished attorney with more than 41 years of experience in the legal profession and the former District Attorney of Alameda County, California. Throughout her distinguished public service career, she became widely recognized for her leadership in criminal justice reform, victim advocacy, and developing innovative programs that improved access to justice for vulnerable populations. Today, she continues her legal work by advising on matters related to violence against women while serving on the boards of financial, educational, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening communities.
During her tenure as District Attorney, O'Malley championed groundbreaking initiatives that transformed the delivery of justice and victim services. She established a specialized Mental Health Court designed to provide appropriate intervention for individuals experiencing mental illness who were involved in low-level criminal offenses. She also founded the Family Justice Center, which was recognized by the White House as one of the top twenty Family Justice Centers in the world for its comprehensive, collaborative approach to supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and family abuse.
Beyond her legal career, O'Malley remains deeply committed to education, public service, and philanthropy. She serves on the boards of Summit Bank, Summit Bank Foundation, Carondelet High School, and Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School, where she actively supports educational access and scholarship opportunities for underserved students. Through her continued advocacy for abused women, disadvantaged families, and young people pursuing higher education, she remains dedicated to creating lasting, positive change within her community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nancy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, collaboration, and a commitment to thoughtful, strategic leadership. Throughout my career, I learned that meaningful progress is rarely achieved alone—it comes from bringing people together, building strong partnerships, and creating a shared vision for change. My personal experiences, including overcoming cancer as a young woman, strengthened my resilience and reinforced the importance of pursuing work that creates a lasting impact. Those experiences have shaped both my leadership philosophy and my dedication to serving others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most valuable career advice I received was to think strategically, develop a well-prepared plan, and never try to accomplish meaningful work alone. I learned from mentors and colleagues that the strongest leaders invite others into the process, seek diverse perspectives, and build genuine collaboration. By combining careful preparation with teamwork, I have been able to create initiatives that continue to make a lasting difference in the communities I serve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering the legal profession to speak up with confidence and never underestimate the value of their voice. Take the time to think through your ideas carefully, develop a well-structured plan, and present it with clarity and purpose. Build a strong professional network, seek thoughtful feedback, and invite others to contribute their perspectives, because collaboration strengthens both ideas and leadership. Success comes from being prepared, remaining confident, and working together to create meaningful change.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe the legal profession has tremendous opportunities to build more collaborative, compassionate, and effective systems of justice. Challenges such as domestic violence, mental illness, public safety, and equitable access to justice require partnerships between law enforcement, healthcare providers, social service organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders. Programs like Family Justice Centers and Mental Health Courts demonstrate what is possible when organizations work together rather than in isolation. The future of justice depends on creating systems that are both accountable and compassionate while addressing the root causes of the challenges our communities face.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide my work and personal life are justice, compassion, collaboration, service, and inclusion. I believe the strongest leaders create opportunities for others, build shared purpose, and empower people to contribute their unique strengths. I am especially committed to expanding opportunities for women, young people, and individuals facing difficult life circumstances. By leading with integrity, empathy, and collaboration, I strive to create lasting positive change for individuals, families, and communities.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.