Meghan O’Ryan Spieker

Board Member

Meghan joined Free to Thrive to help human trafficking survivors successfully navigate a legal system that can be intimidating and unfair, but which can also offer meaningful justice.  

Meghan became involved in the anti-trafficking movement in 2013, when she helped organize the American Bar Association’s Regional Conference on Human Trafficking at the University of San Diego. Like many others, once Meghan understood the problem, she became committed to supporting solutions. This introduced her to Free to Thrive’s visionary leader, Jamie Beck. First, Meghan worked with Jamie on the Lawyers Club of San Diego’s Human Trafficking Collaborative, an award-winning strategic initiative. And in 2016, when Jamie founded Free to Thrive and asked Meghan to be the organization’s inaugural board chair, Meghan said “yes.” As we at Free to Thrive often proclaim, “You don’t say ‘no’ to Jamie!”  

In her past life, Meghan practiced as a business litigator for over fifteen years at two major national law firms, Shearman & Sterling and Cooley LLP, representing public companies and executives in business disputes. Now, Meghan deeply appreciates the opportunity to share her skills and expertise free of charge. In addition to Free to Thrive, Meghan serves on the boards of The California Wildlife Officers Foundation and the Francis Parker School. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys being outside with her husband, four sons, and two dogs, including the 100 pound fluffball who dreams of being a lap dog.

Meghan earned her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown Law.