Joe O'Leary - Experience in Practice
Leading Organizational Transformation
As Director of the Oregon Youth Authority, Joe led a 1,000-employee, $200 million statewide public safety agency. He implemented system-wide reforms that improved outcomes for vulnerable youth and staff, and guided the organization through complex change, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
His tenure also gave him extensive experience in human resources, capital improvement projects, technology modernization, and strategic planning.
NAVIGATING PUBLIC SYSTEMS
Joe's expertise in law and public policy has been central to his work. He served as non-partisan legal counsel for the Judiciary Committees of the Oregon Legislature before becoming Senior Policy Advisor and later General Counsel to two governors. In these roles, he honed his skills evaluating and communicating the legal, policy and political impacts of legislation and executive actions.
As an executive leader of two different state agencies, he developed and implemented budgets, performance management systems, and numerous strategic initiatives. Joe's experience led to his being tapped to play key roles in two gubernatorial transitions.
CULTIVATING SOLUTIONS WITH PURPOSE
At the heart of Joe's leadership is a commitment to equity. He started his career as a trial attorney, an experience that shaped his ability to engage with empathy in high-stakes situations. Known for his creativity, Joe built and taught a groundbreaking law class inside a youth correctional facility, bringing law students and incarcerated students together. This dedication to innovation and inclusion extends to his consulting work, where he helps leaders build cross-sector partnerships with an emphasis on collaboration and conflict resolution.
A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VOICE
Beyond Oregon, Joe is a recognized voice in juvenile justice reform and organizational change. He has presented on numerous panels and served on influential advisory boards, including the Council of State Governments Justice Center, Georgetown University’s Juvenile Justice Leadership Network and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators. Joe has also mentored and coached state agency leaders and public officials, building a national network of peers committed to equity and justice.
More about Joe’s experience: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeoleary2025/