Growing up in Hampton, Virginia and specifically on the Chesapeake Bay greatly stimulated LeAnn’s interest in how ecosystems work and how to reduce or prevent their threats. She decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University knowing she wanted to become a conservation leader one day. Since 2012, she has served in various nonprofit roles, even serving twice as a Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps member. Over the last five years, she has obtained numerous environmental education certifications, from various environmental and agriculture organizations, which she uses to educate K-12 youth showing them how to become good stewards of natural resources. She continuously supports place-based learning as she always makes it her duty to engage students using the outdoors as a classroom. Her free time is spent playing Mahjong, enjoying the sights of national parks, reading, and playing tennis.