What We Do Today
Seven years ago, I joined LEO because I believe in what it stands for: that people experiencing poverty deserve solutions that work.
Before that, I spent years at Catholic Charities Fort Worth, sitting across from people doing everything right—working hard, holding families together—and still falling short because the systems meant to help them weren’t built on evidence of what actually makes a difference. Those moments taught me that good intentions aren’t enough. If we want to solve poverty, we need to know what works and have the courage to act on it.
That belief has guided my time at LEO. Together, we’ve helped turn research into real change. We’ve learned how to prevent homelessness before it starts, how to support students on their path to college completion, and how to help families find lasting stability. And we’ve shown that when service and science come together, the results reach farther than either could on their own.
This work has never been about data for data’s sake. It’s about dignity and using the best tools we have to ensure that people have the chance to build the futures they want.
As I prepare to return to Catholic Charities Fort Worth as CEO, I’ve been reflecting on how much we’ve accomplished because of this community. LEO’s growth and impact are the result of so many people—partners who opened their doors to research, policymakers willing to listen, and supporters who believed that rigorous, compassionate solutions could change lives. You have been the constant through it all, ensuring this work continues to reach farther every year.
In this season of gratitude, I want to thank you, for your trust, your partnership, and your faith in what’s possible when evidence and empathy move together. What we’ve started together will only keep growing, because the need for real, tested solutions has never been greater.
On behalf of the entire LEO team, and from me personally, thank you for being part of this mission and for shaping what comes next.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Heather