Areas of Expertise

• Strategic Health Communications

• Health Equity

• Stakeholder Engagement

Food Story

Leary’s relationship with food is rooted in curiosity and connection. As a self-described foodie, she has always been drawn to exploring different cultural cuisines and the stories they tell about community, history, and tradition. Trying new foods has allowed her to experience cultures in a meaningful way and better understand how food connects people across backgrounds.

This perspective shapes how Leary approaches her work in public health nutrition. She recognizes that food is not just about access or behavior, but also identity, culture, and lived experience. That understanding drives her commitment to supporting equitable, community informed approaches that reflect the diverse ways people experience food in their everyday lives.

Academic History

M.P.H., Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, 2016

B.A., Global Health and Environment, University of North Carolina, 2014

• Minor in Hispanic Studies