Nancy Hohengarten is a retired judge and community advocate based in Austin, Texas. She served as the elected judge of Travis County Court at Law No. 5 from 2004 to 2022, presiding over misdemeanor criminal cases and working at the intersection of criminal justice, behavioral health, and community services.

During her time on the bench, Nancy focused on programs that addressed the root causes of repeat offenses, including substance use and mental health challenges. She led treatment-focused court initiatives such as Project Recovery, which supported individuals struggling with chronic alcoholism by connecting them with housing and treatment resources.

Nancy also played a key role in the development of the Austin Sobering Center. Beginning in 2013, she helped bring together city and county leaders to study and implement a model that provides a safe alternative to jail or emergency rooms for individuals experiencing public intoxication. She later served as the founding chair of the center’s board of directors and helped guide the project through its planning, launch, and early operations.

After retiring from the judiciary at the end of 2022, Nancy shifted her focus to environmental and community initiatives in Austin. She became involved with the Austin Reuse Coalition, working on local campaigns that promote reusable products and reduce single-use waste. She has also worked with the City of Austin Public Health Department to support outreach to restaurants about reusable serveware practices.

Nancy currently serves as Vice President of the board of the Plastic Reduction Project, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing plastic waste and advancing sustainable practices.

Through her writing and advocacy, Nancy shares insights from her career in public service and her current work supporting community-based environmental solutions.