Executive Director

Motivated by a fervent passion for housing justice and commuity development, Leah currently serves as the Executive Director of West End Community Land Trust. She is dedicated to addressing affordable housing challenges in the West End of Louisville and fighting historic disinvestment rooted in racial bias. With a robust background as a professional engineer, Leah brings a wealth of technical expertise to her role, holding dual master's degrees in Electrical Engineering as well as Engineering and Technology Innovation Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Her professional journey took a pivotal turn when she was shown the transformative potential of community land trusts during a graduate course on urban policy. It was this class which sparked the initial idea to found West End Community Land Trust.

Encountering success stories of the Community Land Trust model in diverse urban settings served as a catalyst for Leah's commitment to fostering positive change. Departing from her railway engineering career, Leah strategically utilizes her technical acumen to lead initiatives that contribute to the revitalization of communities and enhance housing accessibility. As Executive Director, she not only navigates the intricate intersections of urban development but also champions a vision of safe, sustainable, and equitable housing solutions.

Finance and Operations Manager

Eldem is at the forefront of our mission to build a resilient and affordable community. Having majored in mathematical economics and developed a finance background, Eldem's journey led to a fulfilling career in commercial real estate appraisal. Now, as the Finance and Operations Manager, Eldem is instrumental in steering the financial health and operational efficiency of our CLT initiatives. Her expertise in property appraisal is a game-changer, providing crucial insights into the valuation process, enabling our CLT to make informed decisions that contribute to the long-term sustainability of our projects.

Eldem's commitment goes beyond numbers; it's rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a home. With Eldem's guidance, West End Community Land Trust not only serves as a beacon of affordable housing but stands as a testament to the transformative impact of merging financial intelligence with a deep commitment to community well-being.