Bio
Leah is a non profit leader and fundraiser.
Leah is passionate about farming, nutrition, sustainability and education. Her vision is to change both the food system and the school system to be climate-friendly, more localized and working in close partnership with each other. She enjoys working on large systemic issues to improve environmental, health and learning outcomes. In an industry deeply rooted in cultural exchange and local relationships, Leah’s Masters in Psychology from California Institute for Integral Studies, along with many years of work in nonprofit fundraising and leadership make her uniquely poised to work hand in hand with farmers, schools, organizations, government agencies and others.
Leah’s work on behalf of the environment and sustainable, local and regenerative food systems began in her undergraduate days studying at Pitzer College, CA and Prescott College, AZ. A semester spent learning the language, and exploring the culture and farming systems of Nepal, would have a large impact on her path, in addition to writing a K-12 educational curriculum for the last family-owned dairy farm in Santa Clara County. These research and original writing experiences later informed her work with Slide Ranch on the California coast developing a curriculum called “Food from the Sea.”
After college, Leah returned to Nepal, with a Rotary International Ambassador of Goodwill Scholarship, to complete two primary research projects that she designed with Tribhuvan University to delve deeper into challenges and opportunities facing Nepalese agriculture. Specifically, she studied the influence of chemical pesticides and fertilizers on Nepal’s farmers, as well as the impacts of a permaculture sustainable development approaches on the farming practices and health of a rural community.
Researching Nepal’s agricultural community would inform Leah’s later research work on the Marin County Food Systems Assessment Project, on managing and securing funding for a Mobile Farmers Market Feasibility Study, and most recently her work developing research questions, conducting interviews for and finally writing the Organic School Food Roadmap.
On top of years of grant writing and evolving fundraising experience, Leah has also found joy and meaning in her leadership roles. During her tenure as Executive Director of Fresh Approach, Leah proudly doubled the budget, staff size and impacts. She led the development of the organization's first strategic plan and fundraising plan, launched annual giving campaigns, established a new donor database, and created new online giving programs.
Leah has always called California home. She appreciates living in a temperate climate, with long growing seasons, an abundance of farm fresh and organic foods and great places to hike. Her love of redwood trees and flowers, such as dahlias, daphne, and magnolias, delights her senses as she enjoys walks during all seasons. What fills her daily with smiles and laughter are her two children, one who loves moving his body and all kinetic activity, and the other who can’t stop talking about trucks and tools.
