LEEF Welcomes Courtney Harper as Director of Communications and Development
The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) is excited to welcome Courtney Harper to the team as Director of Communications and Development.
In this role, Courtney will share the stories that bring LEEF’s mission to life while building relationships and community partnerships that create new opportunities for students, educators, and families across Leander ISD.
Courtney is far from new to LEEF. Over the past year, she has volunteered with the foundation and co-chaired last year’s gala, LEEF’s largest annual fundraiser. She joined the LEEF Board of Directors earlier this year, and her passion for the foundation’s mission and commitment to the community made her a natural fit for this new role.
Her connection to the Leander ISD community runs deep. For the past eight years, Courtney has been active in the PTA and other district volunteer roles, work she often describes as her “full-time volunteer job.” That hands-on experience, paired with a genuine love of connecting people and telling stories that matter, is exactly what she’ll bring to LEEF every day. She believes the strongest communities are built when schools, families, businesses, and community members work together to invest in the next generation.
Before dedicating herself to community leadership and volunteer service, Courtney practiced family law for several years, where she developed the relationship-building, communication, advocacy and problem-solving skills she now brings to advancing LEEF’s mission.
Courtney has called Cedar Park home for 14 years. She has been married for 17 years and is the proud mom of two sons, one heading into 6th grade at Cedar Park Middle School and one heading into 9th grade at Cedar Park High School. Outside of volunteering, she loves reading, playing board games, exercising, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
“There are very few people who lead with the kind of heart, passion, and dedication that Courtney brings to everything she does. I first met Courtney when she was serving as PTA President at one of our elementary schools, and I quickly recognized not only her incredible work ethic but also her unwavering commitment to supporting students, educators, and our community. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching her become one of LEEF’s most dedicated champions, from attending our galas to co-chairing our largest fundraising event and serving on our Board of Directors. Every time I asked Courtney to step into a new role, she embraced it wholeheartedly and gave it 110%. Whether she was leading a committee, building relationships, or tackling a challenge, she consistently brought energy, excellence, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
Welcoming Courtney to our staff is an incredible moment for LEEF. Her ability to build meaningful relationships, tell impactful stories, and inspire others to invest in public education will strengthen our organization in countless ways. She rounds out our team in exactly the way we’ve hoped for, and I could not be more excited to work alongside her. I know the future of LEEF, and the students, educators, and families we serve, is even brighter because of her.” – Shannon Darby, LEEF Executive Director
LEEF is thrilled to have Courtney’s energy, relationship-building, and storytelling instincts on the team as the foundation continues growing its impact for Leander ISD.
