In life, there are two kinds of professionals.

Some individuals, while skilled at their profession, work in their respective career fields out of necessity to earn a healthy living. Others, such as Vanesa Leonard, sought their careers due to the passion they hold for their work.

Leonard, owner of Leonard Mitchell Consulting, is a practicing family attorney in Rockford.

She obtained a bachelor of science in healthcare accounting at the University of Alabama in 1983. Her educational career did not end there, however. Leonard completed an MBA program at the University of Mississippi in 1992, followed by a juris doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1995.

Leonard wasted no time in pursuing meaningful impact in the field of law, placing on full display her passion for helping others in her capacity as an assistant attorney general for the Coosa County Human Resources Department.

Presently, Leonard is a member of Protective Life Corp. Board of Directors.

In her current capacity as owner and founder of Leonard Mitchell Consulting, she has the opportunity to carry out her life’s passion every day — to serve families. Her firm holds a well-documented and successful track record of spearheading probate, property and juvenile matters.

Skilled in multiple professional spaces, Leonard also holds an extensive and impressive resume outside of the legal field.

Aside from the legal profession, she was formerly a financial analyst for Emory University in Atlanta, as well as a senior consultant and manager for higher education for the international firm KPMG.

Leonard, a Leadership Alabama alumna, answered the call to serve the Yellowhammer State as she was an appointed member to former Gov. Bob Riley’s Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families.

Needless to say, this was a well-deserved appointment by the governor, who identified a passionate family advocate in Leonard.

Leonard’s impact on the state comes far from ending in the legal world, as she is a member of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees for the Sixth Congressional District.

There is no doubt that Leonard’s slate of responsibilities in her professional life demand great time and effort daily. However, this does not stop Leonard from providing her expertise in non-work related areas that are of great importance to her.

Displaying her passion for people and families, Leonard is general counsel at her church, where she also serves as a Sunday school teacher to high school students. Additionally, she is a district youth director and teacher for the Congress of Christian Education.

Leonard formerly served on the respective boards of the Health Care Authority for Baptist Health, the UAB Education Foundation, and the Lake Martin Area United Way Board.

While her professional career consists of serving numerous high-profile organizations, Leonard’s life work of helping families in their times of need serves as an inspiration for all who desire to enact positive change.

Yellowhammer News is proud to name Vanessa Leonard a 2022 Woman of Impact.