Marlene Rehkamp O’Brien is a director of the nonpartisan, action-oriented League of Women Voters of the United States and a trustee of the League of Women Voters Education Fund. At the local level of the three-tiered grassroots organization, she has served as a president of the Wellesley League and chaired its Bylaws and Nominating Committees. On the state level, she has served on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts League, has chaired its Governance Committee, and has served as a mediation liaison and moderator. 

Ms. O’Brien has practiced tax and corporate law in the private sector at a Wall Street firm; in the public sector, she served as senior assistant comptroller in the administration of City of New York Comptroller Elizabeth Holtzman, and as deputy general counsel, children’s services, in the administration of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. For her public service and pro bono coordination and advice to non-profits, she has received various commendations and awards.

A graduate of Harvard-Radcliffe (concentrating in American History and Literature) and Harvard Law School, Ms. O’Brien has chaired or served as president of the Radcliffe Club of New York, university chief marshal nominations committee, Harvard Club of Boston continuing education committee, and various fundraising committees; she also has served in college admissions alumni interviewing for 24 years and on the board of directors of the university alumni association. She has been honored for distinguished service as an alumna.

Within Wellesley, Ms. O’Brien has chaired the Town’s board of assessors and focused on the tax treatment of seniors. She also has chaired a parish school advisory board and co-chaired its principal search committee. Together with her husband, Duncan, she now enjoys supporting their children’s public schools and fencing, artistic and volunteer endeavors.

Ms. O’Brien takes pride in the League’s nonpartisan, grassroots leadership in areas ranging from voting rights and elections to arms control, health and the environment, and on issues affecting women and girls in particular. Serving on a variety of fronts, she is working to support the League's efforts as it moves towards completion of its first century of activism and education.