Nancy Ward quietly resigns as California’s top emergency management official
Updated: 12:48 PM PST Jan 7, 2026
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking for a new top emergency management official.Nancy Ward has quietly left her post as Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, KCRA 3 learned Wednesday morning. Ward served in the position for about two years. She was the first woman to hold the position. The governor’s office did not announce her departure. The Cal OES website lists Christina Curry as the agency’s Acting Director. Ward was last quoted in a press release on Dec. 11, as California assisted Washington with flooding efforts. Cal OES has yet to respond to a request for comment. “Director Nancy Ward has been a steady hand and a compassionate leader through some of California’s largest disasters,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office, said. “Her decades of service have made our state stronger, safer, and more resilient. The Governor is deeply grateful for her dedication and wishes her the very best in retirement.”A spokesperson for the governor acknowledged KCRA 3’s request for information surrounding Ward’s departure but had not provided the information as of Wednesday afternoon. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking for a new top emergency management official.
Nancy Ward has quietly left her post as Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, KCRA 3 learned Wednesday morning.
Ward served in the position for about two years. She was the first woman to hold the position.
The governor’s office did not announce her departure. The Cal OES website lists Christina Curry as the agency’s Acting Director. Ward was last quoted in a press release on Dec. 11, as California assisted Washington with flooding efforts.
Cal OES has yet to respond to a request for comment.
“Director Nancy Ward has been a steady hand and a compassionate leader through some of California’s largest disasters,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office, said. “Her decades of service have made our state stronger, safer, and more resilient. The Governor is deeply grateful for her dedication and wishes her the very best in retirement.”
A spokesperson for the governor acknowledged KCRA 3’s request for information surrounding Ward’s departure but had not provided the information as of Wednesday afternoon.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel