Courtney Leaon

Courtney grew up in Fridley, MN, and is a 3rd-generation Twin Cities native who is temporarily moving to Fargo, ND, to support her partner's career before eagerly returning to the Twin Cities later in 2027! After graduating from Fridley High School, Courtney attended Mankato State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services with an emphasis in Resource Management. Between her internship and work post-graduation, she spent nearly 3.5 years combined, coordinating Farmer’s Markets in both Maple Grove, MN, and Shoreview, MN. After this work, she was drawn to transitioning into the nonprofit sector.

Since 2022, Courtney has been a Program Coordinator and later became a Senior Program Coordinator for Every Meal. Annually leading over 130 school sites and contacts, and nearly 70 volunteers in the implementation and execution of Every Meal’s Weekend Meal Program. Every Meal’s Weekend Meal Program at its core is a backpack program that provides culturally and situationally tailored food bags to 13,000 children weekly across Minnesota. Through her work, Courtney found her passion for food justice.

Outside of her work at Every Meal, Courtney has been volunteering with the Metro Food Justice Network for over 3 years within their Engagement Team. MFJN is a collaboration of individuals and organizations in the Twin Cities focusing on transforming our local food system and advancing racial equity. Additionally, Courtney graduated from LOTT's Early Career Track in the summer of 2026 and shortly after accepted the position as a Program Committee member for LOTT, in order to continue to deepen and refine her leadership and service skills.

Courtney is passionate about the natural world, live music, and finding ways to be creative every day.

Two quotes that serve as touchstones for her core values and the way she wishes to show up in the world are: “Be kind to all kinds” & “We all do better when we all do better”.