Born and raised on a secluded island in southeast Alaska, LeAnn embraced a lifestyle deeply rooted in homesteading and living off the land. She forged a strong bond with her father while working alongside him in the commercial fishing industry and managing real estate investments on Prince of Wales Island. From an early age, LeAnn mastered the value of diligence, the use of various tools, the essentials of residential construction, and the operation of heavy machinery.

Upon earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Anthropology from the University of Alaska Southeast, LeAnn expanded her horizons by obtaining a 100-ton Captain’s License and a Rescue Diver Certification. She went on to spearhead the management and operations of a remote, cutting-edge salmon hatchery before joining the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a research vessel crew. There, LeAnn contributed to pivotal studies and played an integral role in managing fisheries across the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Strait, and Bristol Bay. Despite her profound affinity for the ocean and the natural world, her entrepreneurial spirit beckoned, leading her to establish her own real estate development business at the tender age of 27.

Today, LeAnn is driven by her unwavering commitment to creating a more sustainable future through environmentally responsible building practices. Alongside her husband, she has co-founded Fortunate Foundations in 2017, a thriving company responsible for constructing over 70 energy-efficient homes. LeAnn firmly believes in the power of success as a catalyst for positive change, stating, “It is my duty to be successful and help make the world a better place. If I succeed, I can help more people, help the environment, and create lasting positive change.”