Leah Hersey (’17) Cultivates Community Impact Through Career and Volunteerism
November 3, 2025 | 3 min read
At Florida College, students have the opportunity to discover and refine their skills in leadership, organization, and service through experiences that develop them for future careers. Leah Hersey (‘17) took full advantage of these opportunities as she pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication. During her sophomore year, she accepted the role of class officer, which would directly influence her career path. In this position, she was responsible for coordinating several events and fundraisers for her classmates. It was through these efforts that she discovered her passion and aptitude for organizing events, especially when she was tasked with coordinating the fall banquet.
“Planning the fall banquet was so fun,” Hersey recalled. “It was really the first time I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my degree.”
With newfound direction, Hersey applied for an internship in marketing and events at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. She ended up spending two summers with the Chamber, gaining hands-on experience and building on the lessons she learned in college. After graduation, she accepted a full-time position there, focusing on roles that involved coordination and logistics. As she took on more responsibility, she transitioned into fundraising, expanding her skill set and creating a bridge to her next opportunity.
In 2021, Hersey joined the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, where she now serves as Director of Corporate Relations. In this role, she manages partnerships and fundraising efforts that support conservation and accessibility programs throughout the garden.
Beyond her professional work, Hersey also volunteers as the chair of the Dallas–Fort Worth chapter of Sacred Selections, a nonprofit that raises funds for Christian adoptions. She helps organize several fundraising events alongside a small committee of volunteers.
“When the opportunity came up to help, I thought about how I could use my job experience and skill set to give back to God,” Hersey said. “I’ve been helping out for over five years now.”
Looking back on her time in college, she credits FC with helping her develop the mindset and practical abilities she uses every day.
“Being involved at FC helped me gain skills like time management and learning how to juggle multiple things at once,” she said. “It also showed me the value of helping others through my work, even though I didn’t know what that might look like at the time.”
Through both her career and volunteer efforts, Hersey continues to use her gifts to strengthen the community, support families in need, and glorify God through the work she loves.