Leah Ballard

Executive Director, Texas College Bridge

Leah is the Executive Director of Texas College Bridge, where she leads statewide efforts to help Texas students successfully transition from high school to college and careers. A proud Texas native, Leah spent more than 16 years in Garland ISD serving as a teacher, counselor, lead counselor, and CTE coordinator—experiences that shaped her commitment to removing barriers to student opportunity. She brings a systems- and data-driven approach to building partnerships across K-12 and higher education and expanding pathways to postsecondary credentials and high-quality careers. Leah believes deeply in the power of education and that every student deserves access to opportunity, regardless of race, background, or zip code.