GM Nyanin goes from Libs’ front office to brink of title

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

General manager Ohemaia Nyanin has led the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion WNBA team founded just two years ago, to their first Finals appearance against the San Francisco Dream. Her unique approach of building a competitive roster by developing overlooked players and prioritizing their well-being has propelled the team to a rapid rise, challenging traditional franchise-building methods.

General manager Ohemaia Nyanin has led the Golden State Valkyries to an unprecedented milestone: just two years after their inception, the team is on the brink of winning its first championship. The Valkyries are set to face the San Francisco Dream in the WNBA Finals starting Saturday, marking a historic rapid ascent for a new franchise.

Nyanin, previously part of the New York Liberty’s front office, constructed the Valkyries’ roster from scratch, transforming an expansion team into a title contender without relying on top draft picks or stacking star athletes. Instead, her strategy focused on recognizing potential and fostering a strong team identity built on trust and care. Players like Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams, both viewed as role players in previous teams, were identified by Nyanin for their ability to thrive when given more prominent roles. This approach led the Valkyries to upset the Paige Bueckers-led Wings in the first round and sweep defending champions Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

The culture Nyanin cultivated goes beyond talent evaluation. Known for her attention to detail and personal investment in players’ well-being, she emphasizes treating athletes as individuals rather than commodities. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase described Nyanin as “the mom of all of us,” citing examples such as Nyanin checking in on Nakase’s health after she fainted during a game due to exhaustion. This supportive leadership style is credited with creating a foundation in which players feel valued beyond their on-court contributions.

Nyanin’s background includes extensive experience with USA Basketball, where she joined full-time in 2015 as assistant director of the women’s national team. Her commitment to players’ needs was evident during international tournaments, where she provided hands-on support, such as staying overnight with an injured athlete and personally handling laundry responsibilities to ensure operations ran smoothly.

Her tenure with the Liberty began in 2019 amid organizational transitions, where she helped with logistical challenges like relocating player housing and establishing new training facilities. Promoted to assistant general manager in 2022, Nyanin earned a reputation for problem-solving and player relations. Gabby Williams, now with the Valkyries, highlighted Nyanin’s responsiveness in addressing personal matters, allowing athletes to focus exclusively on performance.

The Valkyries’ rapid rise is also aligned with the ambitions of team owner Joe Lacob, who publicly set a goal for a championship within the first five years of the franchise’s existence. While that timeline drew skepticism, Nyanin fully embraced the challenge and built a cohesive, resilient team capable of surpassing expectations in just two seasons.

As the Valkyries prepare for their finals series, Nyanin’s blend of savvy roster construction and empathetic leadership stands out as a model for building success in professional sports. The organization’s pursuit of a championship title represents the culmination of her distinct philosophy of combining competitive drive with human-centered management.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.