Leah joined Defenders in 2024 as the Government Relations Coordinator. She provides support for the Government Relations team in their congressional advocacy efforts and grassroots organizing.

Prior to joining Defenders, Leah worked at the Network for Public Health Law, where she supported executive leadership with internal and external communications, and researched climate adaptation strategies and equitable access to public parks and green spaces.

Leah holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in political science and communication arts, as well as minors in public policy and gender & women’s studies. Born and raised in Minnesota, Leah's appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors began at a young age with family trips up north to visit Lake Superior, hike along the Superior Hiking Trail, and paddle the Boundary Waters.