Leah Thompson

Leah Thompson is a leadership professional, character-driven leadership educator, cross-sector connector, and public service advocate serving as Program Assistant Director of Student Leadership for Arizona State University’s Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC) within the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. She is dedicated to developing principled, purpose-driven leaders who translate their values into meaningful action and strengthen the communities they serve. Through her work, Leah advances leadership development rooted in character, collaboration, and a commitment to the public good.

At ASU, Leah leads leadership development initiatives serving more than 400 students, mentors more than 55 student leaders, and oversees 30 mission teams that collaborate with community partners on more than 120 service and engagement projects annually. She guides students from identifying community needs to developing solutions, establishing authentic partnerships, and evaluating their impact. She also coaches mission teams through their final action projects and impact reports, helping students communicate their outcomes and demonstrate the value of their service. These projects are showcased at ASU Change the World, where NGSC students have earned awards recognizing their community impact.

A strategic program builder, Leah has identified opportunities to address emerging community needs by initiating and helping establish several NGSC initiatives, including the National Security Mission Team; Poverty and Economic Security Mission Team; Health, Wellness, and Chronic Disease Prevention Mission Team; Wildlife Conservation Mission Team; Cogenerational Mission Team; and NGSC Culture Committee. She has coached student groups and supported community partners in developing these initiatives, building relationships, and creating sustainable structures that allow their work to continue and evolve. Her contributions to the inaugural Accelerated Federal Career Track have further expanded pathways for emerging professionals interested in federal government and public service. Across these efforts, Leah connects student leadership with real-world opportunities to address complex challenges and create lasting community impact.

As an educator and facilitator, Leah designs and hosts interactive workshops, courses, and professional development experiences focused on character-driven leadership, ethical decision-making, social impact, community engagement, authentic partnerships, and career development. Her approach combines reflection, practical skill-building, and collaborative problem-solving to help emerging leaders grow in confidence, broaden their perspectives, and prepare to lead across sectors. Beyond ASU, she has consulted with NGSC partner schools, sharing expertise and helping colleagues strengthen their student leadership and service initiatives. She also designs and facilitates workshops for professional staff during the annual Next Generation partner school retreat, contributing to shared learning, professional growth, and collaboration across the NGSC network.

Leah leads the planning and execution of NGSC’s signature leadership experiences and large-scale events, creating opportunities for students to build community, develop leadership skills, and deepen their commitment to service. These include the NGSC Year One Retreat for incoming students, student leadership retreats, and the NGSC Mission Team Kickoff, which brings together more than 380 participants to launch a year of collaboration and community engagement. She also leads the NGSC Leadership Conference, convening more than 500 participants from the public, nonprofit, private, and military sectors to strengthen professional networks and advance cross-sector leadership. She also organizes the NGSC Mission Team Showcase, which celebrates student-led projects, community partnerships, and the tangible outcomes of a year of service.

Throughout her work, Leah cultivates relationships among students, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private-sector leaders, educational institutions, and community stakeholders. She also serves on the planning committee for the National IMPACT Conference, contributing to a broader professional community dedicated to service, leadership, and community engagement. Her commitment to student-centered leadership development extends beyond individual programs and events: she builds pathways for people to connect, learn from one another, and turn shared goals into meaningful action. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of principled leaders to bridge differences, collaborate across sectors, and contribute to a more thoughtful, compassionate, and service-oriented future.

Leah holds a Master of Science in Management from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Project Management from ASU’s College of Integrative Arts and Sciences, and a Certificate in NGSC Cross-Sector Leadership from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.