Leah and David met while studying in Seattle and began their relationship after attending a dorm-sponsored outing. They have been together for over 33 years.
Leah earned her Masters in Architecture in New Haven in 1997. They moved to Berkeley, where David worked at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and Leah worked in various architecture firms, focusing on education, multi-use, and housing projects.
Dave’s work transitioned to Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) in 1999. In March 2000, they moved to a unique "Story Book Style" home in San Leandro's historic Broadmoor Neighborhood. Their daughter, Simone, was born shortly after their move.
Simone attended daycare at LLNL’s Child Center and when she got old enough she was enrolled in a K-8 independent school in Oakland near Lake Merritt.
In response to the mortgage and financial crises of 2007-2010, Leah left the construction-related workforce to spend more time with her family and engage in community activities. Leah became actively involved in her community, serving on the board of trustees for her daughter's school, participating in Leadership San Leandro, advising a local California YMCA Youth & Government delegation, serving as a human services commissioner, and even running for San Leandro city council.
Leah joined the San Leandro Rotary Club in 2014, rejoining in 2022 after a temporary work relocation in Washington D.C. for Dave's job. Before returning to the Bay Area they fixed up and sold their home in San Leandro and purchased a condo in Oakland across from Lake Merritt. Their daughter also graduated from UC Berkeley that same year, earning a dual degree in global studies and conservation management, with a minor in forestry. Simone currently works for Forest Carbon Works, which is a company that fosters private landowner forest stewardship.
Leah enjoys oil painting, her non-fiction reading group, and spending time outdoors with their Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Mashi. Both Leah and David share a love for attending Bay Area plays and concerts.