About the Founder
Lauren O’Malley, a senior at Pepperdine University, Seaver College, graduating in April 2014 with a B.A. in Hispanic Studies, a Minor in Nonprofit Management, and a Certificate in Conflict Management from the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine School of Law. She is is active in educational, extracurricular, and community service activities. Lauren speaks English and Spanish.
The creation of the Lauren E. O’Malley Foundation occurred when Lauren was 15 after an encounter at the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She became inspired to provide a well-rounded, educational, and safe preschool classroom for the children at Refugio.
The LEO Foundation, however, is not her only endeavor. While in high school at The Awty International School in Houston, Texas, Lauren was highly involved in the International Action Club (INTERACT), was Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, and was presented with incredible, impactful experiences. She was nominated as the only student from Awty to attend a luncheon and a private question-answer conference with Condoleezza Rice. Lauren was able to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and she was featured and quoted in the Houston Chronicle. An avid ballroom dancer, Lauren loved competing in both the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz), and also in the Latin dances (Rumba, Cha-Cha, Paso Doble, and the Jive).
She carried her love of dance and service to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she studied abroad during her sophomore year in college (2011-2012). Lauren learned the Argentine Tango and taught English to preschoolers and engineers alike.
Currently, Lauren is excitedly applying to law schools where she expects both to continue to grow her passion for public interest work and to become a stronger force of change in the world.
Lauren’s love for the nonprofit sector has presented her with the ability to have networked and interned with some incredible organizations.
At Mil Mujeres, Lauren was given the opportunity to delve into the world of legal aid where she performed outreach at many consulates in the Los Angeles area and served victims of domestic violence and other crimes. Mil Mujeres has locations in many cities in the US and is a wonderful organization providing immigration legal aid to those deserving and in need. To learn more visit: Mil Mujeres
Lauren worked with Lideres Campesinas to develop a fund development plan as part of her training for her Minor in Nonprofit Management at Pepperdine University. 
They are champions of women’s rights and pioneers in the rights of farmworker women in the Southern California area!
Amigos de Las Américas is a nonprofit headquartered in Houston, Texas, that inspires youth leadership, cross-cultural engagement, and community development through service trips for high school students and young adults to various Latin American communities in need. During an internship at the Houston headquarters during the summer of 2012, Lauren learned a lot about fund development, organizational structure, and program management.
Lauren lives in Houston, Texas, with her family and her dog, Chocolate.