On June 24, 2011, O'Neal was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Ambassador and was then confirmed by the United States Senate on October 18, 2011.

[2][3][4] O'Neal presented her credentials to Cape Verde's president, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, on December 9, 2011.

[5] Since joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1983, O'Neal has since become a career member with the rank of Minister Counselor.

She has previously served in Italy, Argentina, Mozambique, Brazil, Portugal and Washington, DC.

[5][3] She became Ambassador to Cape Verde in December, 2011, after appointment by President Barack Obama,[6] replacing Marianne M. Myles.