Leyna works across the city of Los Angeles and has been recognized twice with formal, city council certificates of commendation and was a 2019 Los Angeles Impact Maker to Watch. She collaborates with many different sectors and a rich network of partners to manifest creative experiences, content and solutions that enhance life in our city and beyond. Projects and happenings are diverse, but right this moment Leyna is co-teaching a course in creative action at Otis School of Art and Design, preparing a series of workshops about heritage grain for the Los Angeles Public Library system, advising the mental health and arts agency Painted Brain, helming the organization The California Grain Campaign and much more.  

Leyna began her career as a producer for public radio and then spent a decade in museum education departments designing events, curriculum and digital content for institutions like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and The Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University. Some of her many collaborators in Los Angeles include The Getty, the Craft and Folk Art Museum, Big City Forum, Community Arts Resources, Palm Springs Art Museum, Blue Sky Center for Sustainable Living, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, civic entities, brilliant local artists, innovative food producers, farmers and more.

Social, economic, racial and environmental justice are core to all of Leyna’s work efforts. When she’s bouncing between city spaces, Leyna relies exclusively on her bicycle and public transit and is a strong activist and advocate for safer streets. Leyna is a proud graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and when she’s not trying to change the world she is probably listening to podcasts, writing letters or smelling the flowers in her community garden.