Leah joined GUC in July 2017 as the Human Resources (HR) Benefits Administrator. In April of this year, she was promoted to the new position of HR Business Partner, making her the primary HR contact for our Gas, Water, and Finance Departments. This involves helping with interviewing and onboarding new employees, answering benefits questions, assisting with personnel matters, and much more. 

Fun fact! Leah loves to read, and even collects antique books. She said that she is known for always having a book in her hands. 

What are your favorite things about your job? Interacting with employees is my favorite thing. I enjoy building relationships and helping them understand their benefits so that they can get the most out of them.  

What motivates you to work hard? Knowing that employees rely on me motivates me to work hard, since most of my work impacts them directly. 

What was your very first job? I worked the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A. 

How would you describe your job to a child? I’m not sure how I would describe it, but my child would say that I sit at my computer all day and get a lot of messages. 

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be? I would switch with a teacher - that’s what I wanted to be when I was younger. 

What is your proudest career accomplishment? There isn’t just one. I like to say, “each one, reach one,” meaning that if I help someone or make at least one person happy a day, then I feel successful.  

What is your favorite holiday tradition? My family loves to celebrate the 4th of July. My dad is retired from the Army, so growing up the Fourth was like a family reunion. Now, we spend the holiday at my in-laws’ home on the river in Virginia Beach where we go out on the boat, play games, have a BBQ, and enjoy fireworks. It’s a big deal. 

What would you like us to know about your family? My husband, Patrick, and I have been together eight years. We have two girls. Evelyn is six and Eleanor is two. 

Who is your hero? Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She carried and presented herself so well, and I admire the fact that she could have relationships with people who do not agree with her viewpoints. 

Given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? Probably my two-year-old. She is always given snacks, she gets to take naps, and just lives her own little life.  

What three items would you take with you on a deserted island? Two books and a knife.  

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chicken Shawarma. 

What do you want to accomplish this year, either personally or in your career? I would like to continue to build strong relationships. 

What celebrity would you like to meet? Justin Timberlake. 

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work? Read by the water. 

If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have? I would want to be invisible so that I can take a break whenever I want to. 

What would you do if you won the lottery? I would pay my entire family’s debt and set up a charity for children.