ABOUT LEAH

An Accomplished Leader

Possessing a diverse record of exceptional public service throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, Leah has cultivated relationships with elected officials, advocates, corporate partners, education stakeholders, community based organizations, school division leaders, and non-profit executives. Resolute in her commitment to community impact, Leah has devoted her career to public service and social justice.

A Record of Exceptional Service

With more than twenty years of public sector experience, Leah has worked for; Mayor Jones Administration in the City of Richmond, Governor Kaine at the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Virginia Democratic Caucus in the House of Delegates, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and its Foundation, Richmond City Council, and Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.

An Effective Communicator

A transformational leader, Leah has successfully modernized communication strategies for executive branch agencies, pioneered innovative outreach tactics, and elevated discourse on signature initiatives and programs.

Recent Professional Accomplishments

Communication & Public Relations

Leah successfully spearheaded the development and launch of Virginia’s communications strategy and plan to promote K-12 Education Reforms and advance the state’s Education Equity agenda. This includes developing and deploying communication collateral and launching the #EdEquityVA and Virginia is for Learners statewide public information campaigns.

Equity & Inclusion

Authored and designed Virginia’s Navigating EdEquityVA Roadmap and the Navigating EdEquityVA Audit Tool. Leah led the conceptualization and successful implementation of Virginia’s first ever Teachers of Color Summit (partnership with the Virginia Education Association) and Minority Educator Recruitment Fair Pre-Summit (partnership with Virginia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and Virginia’s annual Virginia is for All Learners: Education Equity Summer Institute attended by more than 2000 educators and education leaders.

Current Experience

Modern Impact Solutions, LLC

Leah is the founder of Modern Impact Solutions where she also serves as and principal consultant. Modern Impact Solutions is an innovative professional services practice providing an array of DEI, communications, and strategic advising consultation to corporate, non-profit, education, and public sector organizations and executives.

Executive Leadership

Leah currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Equity & Inclusion at Waterford.org. Prior to this, Leah served as the first ever Director for Equity and Community Engagement at the Virginia Department of Education where she conceptualized the development and led the implementation of Virginia’s #EdEquityVA strategies and initiatives focused on eliminating disproportionality in student outcomes. Essential to this was authoring and designing Virginia’s equity framework (Navigating EdEquityVA Roadmap), creating the EdEquityVA Compass companion tool, and developing Virginia's Return to School Equity Audit Tool. Leah served as an experienced thought partner for VDOE Executive Leadership and consultant to local school division leaders' development of DEI strategies to advance inclusive organizational culture.

Public Speaking

As a sought after presenter and public speaker, Leah is recognized for her communication savvy and oral presentations. Speaking topics include:

Education Equity & K-12 Policy
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Antiracism Activation & Courageous Leadership
Culturally Responsive & Inclusive Competencies
Advancing Systemic Equity
Leading for Social Justice Impact
Positive Youth Development
21st Century Readiness

Be Impacted Blog

Leah is the founder, editor and curator of content for Be Impacted Blog featuring articles and content centered on advancing equity, social justice, and public sector impact. Content is focused on increasing awareness of marginalized and underrepresented communities while elevating discourse on social impact strategies.