Leanne has been active professionally in the conservation movement since 1983. Prior to coming to The Wilderness Society in 2005, she served as the executive director of the Wildlands Project from 2000-2004, where she worked to bring the science of large landscape conservation to local and regional protection efforts.

Previously, Leanne directed the outreach program for the Northern Forest Alliance and worked as a representative for the Sierra Club’s Northeast and Midwest regional field offices.

Leanne has many years of campaign experience under her belt, from issues including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, and many electoral campaigns. Most recently, Leanne was the chief architect of the legislative strategy for the Vermont Wilderness Association in their successful efforts to pass the New England Wilderness Act of 2006 and former northeast regional director.