is an associate at Demeter Communications, specializing in media relations. Whether the need be with consumer or trade media, Leah has the expertise and experience to deliver. First of all, she knows the media from the inside, having been a radio announcer and continuity writer, and a daily newspaper staff writer.

The past few years, she has spent a great deal of time as the key media relations contact for World Pork Expo, as well as handling the advertising, promotion and web development. Her expertise has resulted in favorable coverage with CNBC (live reports), Bloomberg News, Dow Jones, Washington Post, Fast Company magazine, local general media and international trade media. Most notably, she handled logistical support for dignitaries including President George W. Bush, U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johannes and U.S. Trade Ambassador Alan Johnson, including coordination with White House staff, Secret Service and Federal security agents.

Leah has more than 25 years of media and corporate communications experience in agriculture and healthcare. This includes audience segmentation, strategic message development, tactical execution, crisis communications and issues management. She previously was the media relations contact for 200-bed regional referral hospital, media relations and marketing services manager for Land O’Lakes, and the media relations and public relations strategist for Porter & Associates, McCormick Company and Trilix Marketing Group .

Providing media and activist response training are particular interests for Leah. She has handled these services for the National Pork Board, Newsham Choice Genetics executives and technical staff, the Variety Club of Iowa, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Farm Bureau Federation spokespeople and the Prevent Child Abuse Iowa statewide grantee agencies.