Leanne Fortney

Leanne Fortney is a Training Technician and Pathways Intern within the Training Administration Branch at the Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center. Leanne is the liaison between participants and our courses, ensuring everyone is fully registered, paid, and ready to attend. Leanne processes the “behind the curtain” details that most participants and instructors do not see. She truly enjoys the anonymity of ensuring that our courses at NCTC run without any issues in the eyes of our participants.

Before the FWS, Leanne had a wonderful career ensuring that individuals with special needs were enjoying their best and most fulfilled lives. Her career began as a Special Education teacher working with elementary students with moderate to severe autism. She progressed into the field by stepping into the non-profit side of the industry as an Arts Program Manager, where she offered art education programming to over 200 adult clients with special needs throughout northern Virginia and Richmond, Virginia. Eventually, moving to western Maryland, she transitioned into residential programming as a Residential Program Manager for a local non-profit that provides residential and day services for children and adults with disabilities. After successfully managing a wonderful team of employees and clients, Leanne decided that her time in the “care” industry had to evolve again, this time toward our environmental conservation.

In October 2022, Leanne enrolled as a post-bachelor student to obtain her second degree, but this time in crop and soil science. She hopes to bridge the gap between the agricultural industry and wildlife conservation. Her pathways internship has provided insight into the industry and opportunities she would not have received elsewhere, such as this exciting course working with partners across different agencies throughout the U.S.