why this matters to me

Ordinary people do extraordinary things. I've seen it.

Education has always been my thing. The year I graduated from college, I started small: donating an hour of tutoring time at a place where I volunteered.

From the very beginning of my career, my goal was simple - build work flexible enough that I could give my time to the causes I cared about. It didn't have to be full-time. It just had to be real.

Fifteen years ago, that path led me to Tanzania. Alongside teachers, parents, local government, nonprofits and donors, we co-founded a public school that's now ranked #1 academically in the region, with a 100% graduation rate for 8 years in a row. I'm still involved today as we expand our programs to train teachers at other schools and protect kids from corporal punishment.

Now that we're back in the U.S., I'm the state lead for the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project in Colorado - a parent-led team advocating at the state and district levels to protect kids from the unintended harms of screens and internet-enabled devices in school.

I've never been a professional activist. I've learned as I've gone, using what I already had: leading and coaching as an entrepreneur, and solving problems collaboratively from years of making theater with an ensemble.

That's what I want for you. Your advocacy won't look exactly like mine - and that's the whole point. You don't have to be loud, wealthy or an expert. You just need a place to start, and someone in your corner. I'd love to be that person. I'm rooting for you.

xo, Leah