ABOUT LEAH

Driven

Possessing a diverse record of exceptional public service throughout the nation, 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 sustainable outcomes, Leah has devoted her career to public service and social impact.

Proven

With more than twenty years of public sector and non-profit experience, Leah has worked for; Waterford.org, Virginia Commonwealth University, YMCA - Richmond, Local School Districts, 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.

Impact

A transformational leader, Leah has successfully pioneered innovative engagement strategies, elevated discourse on signature initiatives and programs for executive branch agencies, and driven organizational strategy and accountability systems to achieve impactful outcomes.

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 strategy, management, communications, and DEI advising consultation to corporate, non-profit, education, and public sector organizations and executives.

Executive Leadership

Leah currently serves as an Executive Vice President at Waterford.org, a national early education non-profit whose programs reach over 300,000 children in 43 states each year. At Waterford.org, she leads the development of strategy, while aligning Waterford's organizational priorities to advance inclusive excellence across all operational domains.

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:

Advancing Systemic & Sustainable Outcomes
Leading for Social Impact
Responsive Engagement
Inclusive Excellence
Courageous Leadership & DEI Accountability
Culturally Responsive & Inclusive Employee Competencies
Culturally Responsive & Inclusive Educational Curriculum and Content Development
PK-12 Education Policy