Stand in the & with Heather Gates

Leah has over two decades of experience in community transformation, specializing in participatory evaluation, organizational strategy, and advancing health equity. Her work in rural and underserved communities is rooted in a facilitative approach that centers community wisdom and lived experiences. Throughout her career, Leah has supported national, regional, and local networks to strengthen their evaluation capacity, design inclusive governance systems, and develop adaptive leadership.

In 2025, Leah brought her national work home to Asheville, North Carolina, as Executive Director of Thrive Asheville, an incubator for community ideas. She was also selected as a Collective + Mind Fellow in 2025 to complete a project identifying community ecosystems that foster resilience. Leah remains deeply committed to creating spaces where diverse voices—particularly those often left out of the main discourse—are elevated and valued in shaping healthier, more equitable communities.