Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – The County of Marin has hired two experienced government leaders, both longtime Marin County residents with deep local knowledge and commitments to providing equitable community services, to join the Office of the County Executive (OCE).
Starting March 31, Linn Walsh and Danielle O’Leary will begin serving as Deputy County Executives and take hands-on approaches to policy matters at the Marin County Civic Center. They will work closely with County Executive Derek Johnson, who at the end of April will celebrate one year in his role.
Meet Linn Walsh
Walsh, an 18-year veteran of the City of Mill Valley, will help direct efforts in communications, digital services, legislative affairs & grants, the new Office of the Inspector General, facilities planning & development, and the Clerk of the Board. She will be also charged with facilitating cross-department collaborations to ensure efficient, equitable, and innovative service delivery.
During her tenure in Mill Valley, Walsh held progressively responsible positions, spearheading transformative organizational changes and strategic initiatives that have strengthened operations and deepened community engagement. She led key policy efforts, including advancing racial equity, preserving public spaces, and successfully guiding local revenue measures that have secured $60 million for critical infrastructure. Throughout her career, Walsh has been a trusted liaison on countywide initiatives, fostering strong partnerships with Marin County colleagues and community partners.
“Linn has a tremendous reputation as a passionate public administrator who brings people together to create meaningful change,” Johnson said. “We were especially drawn to her equity and communication work that we, as a County, hold in such a high regard. Her experience with strategic governance and securing long-term funding to support critical infrastructure also gave us confidence that she is the right fit for this position.”
Walsh, who grew up in La Habra, California, has spent more than 30 years living and working in Marin. Before her tenure in local government, she dedicated a decade to the nonprofit sector, focusing on natural resource management and environmental education. She oversaw an AmeriCorps program with the Conservation Corps North Bay and served as interim education director at NatureBridge in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
"I am honored and excited to join the County of Marin, where I can continue my commitment to fostering inclusive communities, building strong partnerships, and driving initiatives that create lasting impact,” Walsh said.
Walsh holds a master’s degree in Humanities and Leadership with an emphasis on Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Communities from New College of California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. As a former sea kayak guide in West Marin and an avid birder, she has developed a deep connection to the region’s coastal environment and continues to explore and appreciate Marin’s diverse landscapes and wildlife while sharing her passion for nature with others.
Meet Danielle O’Leary
In Marin, O’Leary will focus on leading efforts to strengthen relationships, coordinate municipal issues, and enhance services in Marin’s unincorporated communities. She will provide oversight of initiatives on climate change, sustainability, and community & economic vitality.
O’Leary’s career includes 26 years of working in administrative positions for city governments, including San Rafael and Santa Rosa. She was the City of San Rafael’s Director of Economic Development and Innovation from 2016 to 2022 – a span that included the business crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her seven-plus years as Economic Development Director for Santa Rosa from 2008 to 2016 coincided with major turbulence from the worldwide financial crisis and a slow and steady rebuilding of business momentum.
Most recently, O’Leary has worked for Prologis, a global leader in logistics real estate that enhances relationships between government agencies and stakeholders in local economies. Working out of the company’s San Francisco office, O’Leary served as Director of Local and State Affairs for 18 months and then the past 15 months as Director of Development and Entitlements, Local Partnerships. She was appointed in December 2024 as a Planning Commissioner for the City of San Rafael.
“Danielle’s career has been centered on the intersection of public policy, economic strategy, and community development,” Johnson said. “That’s an intersection we’re eager to strengthen, and we see her as a talented change agent and one that can help work to enhance community vitality.”
O’Leary, who grew up in Palm Desert, graduated with a business administration degree from Concordia University in Irvine. She has been living in Marin the past 16 years.
"Marin County stands apart for its bold commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement — principles that align perfectly with my own,” O’Leary said. “I believe in the power of collaboration to solve complex challenges and improve lives. In this role, my mission is clear: to champion equity, resilience, and smart governance that delivers real results for the people we serve."
Walsh and O’Leary will report to Johnson as they collaborate on executing directives from the Marin County Board of Supervisors, interacting with executive leaders throughout the county, and delivering services to the people of Marin. The top salary for a Deputy County Executive is $219,773.