Curriculum Vitae
This is…at the Store. Photo credit: Junenoire Mitchell
This Curriculum Vitae is designed to share a deep dive on Leeanne’s achievements with a focus on impact, leadership, and a wealth of experience creating international programs, building careers, and producing innovative artistic work.
Featured Work: Choreography
Jillette Johnson Lyric Video for “Heathen”
Featured Work: Producer and Creator
Civic Engagement Program in collaboration with Sunnyside Community Services and SpaceWorks.
Featured Work: Producer and Curator
Dance Artist Election Project
Artistic and Institutional Achievements
Director, Producer, and Curator
Civic Engagement Performance and Workshop in collaboration with Sunnyside Community Services and Spaceworks LIC
Created and curated the Suite Summer Festival, cultivating western Queens, NY as a center for dance.
Received Mertz-Gilmore re-grant through collaboration with Socrates Sculpture Park
Queens Fringe Festival - Dance Curator
Premiere dance performance at the National Museum of Dance
Artistic Director of In-Sight Dance Company
Co-founded and led this grassroots, artist-led organization with a dual mission to produce excellent live art while working to improve society through community partnerships and collaboration.
Choreographed and directed three millennial ballets addressing issues important to participating artists.
Pleading Against Prophecy
This is…Next Stop…
An Extraordinary Echo
Received a Next Stage Dance Residency from Jamaica Performing Arts Center
Regularly serves on funding panels and juries for NYC based artist grant programs
Piloted a "choose your own adventure" style ballet using technology for real time audience input into the character’s choices in a story ballet.
Collaborated on two fundraising performances with AIDS Walk NY
Choreographer
Choreographer and movement director for a number of Enthuse Theatre productions
Choreographer for feature film Pop Meet the Void
Lead Choreographer of In-Sight Dance Company's Repertory
Arts and Culture Educator
Civic Engagement for Artists, Workshop in collaboration with Spaceworks, LIC. 2017
Created and Facilitated "How do you write a grant proposal? Think like a funder." Workshop at BinderCon, 2015
Facilitated Proposal Writing Bootcamp for Artists, School of Visual Arts, 2015
Facilitated industry visioning session for Opera America’s Annual NYC Conference, 2015
Instructor and Curriculum Developer, “Make it Happen: Take Your Project from Idea to Success” for Gibney Dance Center’s Learning and Leadership Studio. Fall 2014
Awarded a SPARC residency to create and facilitate a dance program with older adults in Forest Hills, Queens 2014
Developed and facilitated “Centerline: Back to the Future” at Gibney Dance Center, 2013
Co-Created "Turn up the Volume: Become a Dance Advocate." Workshop at Dance/NYC Symposium, 2013
Served as an advisor to Queens Council on the Arts for the Queens Arts Fund grant program
Beacon Kids: Free Pre-Professional Afterschool Dance Training
Co-created an after school program requested by middle school students at a local community partner.
Students asked for a preparatory program for performing arts high school auditions.
In collaboration with Beacon 141 established an intensive, pre-professional dance training program.
Created a summer intensive program and after school program with a curriculum that specialized in training students in ballet, modern dance, performance, audition techniques, repertory, as well as critical thinking, collaboration, and community service.
This program launched multiple students into careers at performing arts high schools, positively impacted family dynamics, improved students’ academic standings, and inspired civic engagement.
Students conceived and produced a benefit performance for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy, with all proceeds going to the Brooklyn Community Foundation.
Replicated the summer intensive at SONYC 145 in Jackson Heights, Queens
Student art from the program cover from the Beacon Kids student-initiated fundraiser for the Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund.
Current Advisory Board Appointments
Dance/NYC Advisory Boards
2011 - 2016
Chair of the Dance/NYC Junior Committee
Elected and served as Chair of the 2012-2013 Committee.
Spearheaded a focus on improving racial equity and diversity in the dance field. This initiative continues on today’s Junior Committee and is now included in Dance/NYC’s mission.
Established a ”think tank” model that moved the committee from advising to action in the field.
Coordinated the committees volunteer efforts for the Dance/NYC Annual Symposium
Secured the Dance/NYC Junior Committee as producers of the 2011 Bessie Awards.
Dance/NYC Advisory Committee
Coached leaders in the dance field on enacting diversity, equity, and belonging initiatives.
Served on the recruitment committee expanding the reach and diverse make-up of the advisory board
Led initiative that redesigned the committee application and selection process. Increased access to application and diversified the make-up of the committee to better represent New York City’s culturally, racially, socially and ethnically rich population.
Supports Dance/NYC’s mission to promote the knowledge, appreciation, practice, and performance of dance in the metropolitan New York City area. It embeds values of equity and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
Click here for full artistic resume.
Selected Interviews and Panels
Women Who Lead panel at the Business Technology Early College High School, Queens, NY. 2020
Featured in Darian Rodriguez Heyman's book "Nonprofit Fundraising 101." Wiley. 2016
Moderated post-performance discussion for Queensboro Dance Festival, 2014
Panelist for "Millennials in the Nonprofit Sector." Panel for Be Social Change, 2015
Interviewed for "Frame Rate Presents Close Up." NYC Media. Episode: “Spoils.” 2014
Interviewed for Michael Rose’s “Dollars for Docs: Foundations, Fiscal Sponsors, and Government Agencies,” Documentary Magazine, 2010
Selected Civic Engagement
“Super volunteer” for organizing and recruitment for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ 2020 campaign
Current Member, VOCAL- NY
Delegate, NYS Young Democrats Convention, 2017
Member, Queens Young Democrats 2016-2017
Senior Course Strategist - 2U
2018 - Present
Consults high profile internal and external partners with an extensive course portfolio at a start-up, tech company.
Develops curriculum strategy in partnership with faculty, highlighting opportunities in online learning.
Advances hybrid digital programs in higher education that empower learners to achieve personal, academic, and professional success leveraging 2U’s Learning Experience Framework.
Specializes in working on challenging content with partners that require a nuanced and empathetic coach.
Serves as an advisor on interdepartmental teams working to improve systems, vet vendors, and build strong university partner relationships.
Leader on the subteam responsible for health sciences and public health programs, developing expertise in these critical areas of education. Develops resources such as guides to lab work during the pandemic.
Applies experience in innovation, design, and management to serve as a piloter of new initiatives.
Facilitates internal and external meetings in order to collaboratively design successful learning experiences.
Utilizes strong communications skills to coach colleagues in transforming strategy into tangible success
Served as a facilitator for the department’s Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Book Club
Education Manager - ICSC
2015-2018
Directs interdepartmental teams to successfully develop and execute global learning and innovation portfolio for an international industry membership association. Travels internationally to oversee programs, faculty, and staff.
Awarded organizational "As One" recognition for leading an innovative and inclusive programmatic redesign.
Directed a team of retail and real estate executives and staff to successfully implement these programs.
Piloted, launched, and scaled seven institutes for the association’s flagship industry education program.
Led industry-wide needs and leadership assessments
Transformed this program from a lecture-based event to a practical, hands-on, learning opportunity.
Led a curriculum redesign that incorporated best practices in adult learning, including “flipping the classroom,” developing mock pitch sessions, and supporting structured peer learning.
Developed and implemented an organizational learning framework.
Co-created the association’s first leadership track of study.
Facilitated a two-day strategic planning retreat with top commercial real estate executives
Provided coaching, mentorship, and thought leadership to colleagues who worked in the organization’s philanthropic, business development, research, human resources, and leadership development divisions.
Vetted learning management systems, integrated and implemented a new learning management system for the organization. Developed and launched ICSC’s second generation online learning programs.
Ensured the launch of the company’s inaugural Diversity Summit.
Engaged skeptical leadership in planning in order to revive a cancelled version of this summit.
Provided space and time within an established and well-regarded industry event to host the summit.
This premiere summit was a success and drew industry-wide support for diversity and inclusion.
Supported ICSCs diversity and inclusion program, centering diverse voices in portfolio, by recruiting and training a more diverse cadre of faculty, and supporting emerging practitioners of color.
Developed and scaled curriculum development and faculty training programs internationally. Engaged regional managing directors and local leaders to ensure programming reflected cultural competency.
Innovation Manager/Capacity and Leadership Development Manager - Foundation Center (now Candid)
2006 - 2015
Built the capacity of the United States’ nonprofits. Lead facilitator for Foundation Center, training over 1,000 nonprofit professionals annually. Curriculum developer for national training portfolio of in-person, online, and blended learning.
Served as an organizational spokesperson on philanthropy, nonprofit management, change management, generational shifts, diversity and inclusion, and leadership. Regularly advised philanthropic leaders.
Led a team of 10 through strategic planning and curriculum development for national philanthropic professional development programs. Built support for this initiative across leadership structures.
Coached nonprofit leaders on organizational development, change management, fundraising, and leadership in a variety of settings. Leaders represented organizations of diverse sizes, fields, scale, and stage in life-cycle.
Created, piloted, and scaled collaborative, peer-learning, nonprofit management cohorts nationally.
Mentored staff members who created a next gen professional development group.
Advised leaders on the structure and staffing for the reorganization of the public service division.
Developed and implemented Foundation Center’s Learning Principles. Travelled nationally to coach staff, build buy-in across the organization, and create learning environments that build equity and inclusion.
Identified two colleagues in entry-level positions to be promoted to management roles. Mentored and trained these colleagues in their new roles. Within two years these individuals were promoted to director-level positions and further diversified the makeup of the organization's leadership team.
Additional Instruction and Curriculum Development
Created and Facilitated “Civic Engagement and Women’s Empowerment” for the Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction, 2018
Developed and Facilitated “Faculty Orientation and Development” for ICSC 2017-2018
Facilitated “Devising a Development Scheme” at European Retail Property Academy for ICSC, 2017
Lead Instructor and curriculum developer, “Making the Case” for Foundation Center, 2015
Conceived, developed and served as lead coach for the “Nonprofit Sustainability Program” for Foundation Center, 2015
Coached students "Introduction to Finding Funders and How to Approach Foundations" for Harvard University, 2014
Facilitated "Grant Writing Workshop." Association of Art Museum Curators. Conference & Meeting, 2013
Designed and facilitated "Beyond the Bottom Line: Budget Writing for Artist Parts 1 and 2” for Queens Council on the Arts, 2013
Developed and facilitated “Proposal Writing and Budgeting for University Faculty and Professionals,” SUNY Albany, 2012
Education and Training
St. John’s University, Queens, NY
Master of Science – School Building Leadership
Bachelor of Arts – Government and Politics
Minor: Theater
Professional Development
Radical Visions: Educators as School Abolitionists. NYCoRE Inquiry to Action Group, February 2021
Teach-in: The Haitian Revolution, VOCAL-NY, 2020
Campaign Academy 2020, Democratic National Convention, August 2020
Teach-in: The Fire This Time with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Marc Lamont Hill, Haymarket Books, 2020
Navigating Organizational Change, Groundswell, 2018
Cultural Competency Symposium, Baruch College, 2017
Future of Learning Forum, Columbia University Executive Education, 2017
Advanced E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate from Association of Talent Development, Online, 2016.
Netroots Nation Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 2015
Undoing Racism, The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, 2014
LEAP Peer Leadership Circle, Queens Council on the Arts, 2012
Additional undergraduate/graduate training
Work study as an undergraduate student and full-time work throughout graduate school.
Developed a framework of scholarship and discovery around educational systems and organizational development. I connected my undergraduate studies in government with the knowledge I developed working with esteemed faculty such Dr. Allen C. Ornstein, Dt. James C. Tarter, Dr. Gene Geisert, Dr. Rosalba DelVecchio, and Dr. Rene Parmar. This led to a decision to dedicate my career to systemic change through education and learning.
Worked in the School of Education’s Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership for 6 years.
Student assistant to the prolific author on curriculum and educational policy, Dr. Allan C. Ornstein.
Assisted in the development of research in literacy, the role of efficacy in school building leadership, school administrator leadership development, and nonpublic school leadership.
Assisted faculty in a number of projects including research, student evaluation, detection of plagiarism, admissions and orientation, and online curriculum development,
Chappell Players Theater Group
Honed a style and technique of choreography, theatre direction, and artistic apprenticeship that served as the basis for my work throughout my career.
This student-led group served as a laboratory for student-led artistic creation and experimentation under tutelage from professional artists and peers.
Choreographed and directed mainstage productions including Pippin and numerous cabaret’s for charity.
Originated the schools first dance concert with an evening of original work. This dance concert continues under the direction of current students in the school’s theatre honor society.
Served on the executive board and produced the group’s first season to include student work as well as second stage productions.
Received credit for student led projects and apprenticeships in lighting design, stagecraft, costume design, and stage management.
Pioneered partnerships between performing arts organizations leading to artistic collaboration with the professional directors of the award winning Voices of Victory Choir, Mixed Chorus, and Jazz Band.
Developed mentorship and professional development opportunities for artists under my direction and returned to continue to provide mentorship and capacity building opportunities for current students.
Connected service with artistic creation by using the original dance concert as a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter for survivors of domestic violence.