Post‑college, Leya entered the workforce as a junior art director at a boutique branding agency. Within three years, she rose to lead a small team, spearheading campaigns for sustainable fashion labels, indie musicians, and cultural festivals. Her hallmark was a “human‑first” design philosophy: every visual element was rooted in the lived experiences of the target audience, ensuring authenticity and resonance.
The campaign’s impact was measurable: a 45 % rise in volunteer sign‑ups for shoreline clean‑ups, a 30 % increase in donations to marine research grants, and the creation of a permanent exhibit that now draws over 5,000 visitors annually. Leya’s role was not merely visual; she facilitated community workshops where participants learned basic storytelling techniques, thereby empowering them to continue narrating their own experiences beyond the campaign’s lifespan. Recognizing a gap in accessible design resources for grassroots organizations, Leya organized the inaugural Design for Good Hackathon in 2023. Over 72 hours, multidisciplinary teams—comprising designers, developers, marketers, and activists—worked on real‑world briefs supplied by local NGOs. The event yielded 27 prototype solutions, ranging from a low‑cost app for tracking plastic waste to an interactive mural series celebrating cultural heritage. leya.desantis
Beyond the prototypes, the hackathon fostered enduring collaborations. Several teams secured seed funding, while others formed permanent advisory groups that continue to provide pro‑bono design support to underserved groups. Leya’s emphasis on mentorship during the event helped participants develop not only technical skills but also a mindset of socially responsible design. Merging her design expertise with her sustainability ethos, Leya co‑created the Eco‑Thread capsule clothing line with a regional textile cooperative. The collection featured garments made from upcycled denim and organic cotton, each tagged with QR codes linking to a short video explaining the material’s journey. The initiative highlighted the feasibility of circular fashion and sparked dialogue among consumers about responsible consumption. Post‑college, Leya entered the workforce as a junior
These twin passions—creative communication and community service—laid the groundwork for the integrated approach that would later define her professional and personal endeavors. After graduating as valedictorian, Leya pursued a dual degree in Visual Communication and Sociology at a liberal arts university. The interdisciplinary curriculum allowed her to study the mechanics of design while simultaneously probing the sociocultural forces that shape human behavior. Her senior thesis, “Visual Storytelling as a Catalyst for Social Change,” examined how strategic imagery can influence public perception of environmental issues. The project earned a campus award and attracted the attention of a regional non‑profit focused on ocean conservation. The campaign’s impact was measurable: a 45 %
A pivotal moment came during high school when Leya discovered graphic design software through a community center’s free‑tech program. The ability to transform ideas into visual form sparked a lifelong fascination with the interplay between aesthetics and message. Simultaneously, she volunteered with environmental clean‑up groups, learning the importance of collective effort and the tangible results that can arise from coordinated action.