Leah leads a variety of policy planning and development work at Happy Cities, using IAP2 public engagement best practices and creative communication tools to facilitate dialogue.
Leah has contributed to innovative planning processes across Metro Vancouver in sectors including municipal, non-profit, co-operative, and at the University of British Columbia, in addition to community development work abroad in Costa Rica. Leah is particularly interested in using placemaking to spark dialogue and strengthen social connections, leading to resilient outcomes daily and in the face of a climate crisis. In her spare time, Leah likes to talk about earthquakes and lead resilience walks as co-founder of Neighbour Lab.
Leah completed a Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning at Boston University and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia in human geography. Leah is a candidate member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Projects Leah has worked on
Building social connections: Housing design policies to support wellbeing for all – Hey Neighbour Collective
Power of placemaking research and engagement – Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
Mary Anne’s Place community engagement and design audit – Placemaker Communities
Budget 2024 engagement – City of Surrey
Focus Newton community engagement and placemaking – City of Surrey
Accessibility legislation engagement for Alberta – Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
Community wayfinding strategy – City of Richmond
Campus placemaking master plan – Zamorano University, Honduras
Community arts & culture framework – City of Fort St. John
Rossland economic data visualization and communications – City of Rossland
Uptown active transportation and public realm improvements – City of New Westminster
