Embarking on a New Journey — My Retirement

Bill Leahy in front of the LegacyWorks Group office in Santa Barbara, CA

Bill Leahy fishing on the Upper Kennebec River in Maine, 2024

February 2026

To the Wonderful Group Called LegacyWorks, Friends, and Partners,

By now, many of you have likely heard the news about my retirement after 42 years of professional employment - 35 of those in service to land conservation and community resilience. It has been an incredible honor and privilege to finish my career being a part of the awesome LegacyWorks team.

I am excited about new pursuits and what this next phase of my life adventure holds. Still, I am reflective on the wonderful memories I have accumulated and on what we have only begun to create here.

As my career progressed, I came to appreciate how community-led conservation can create meaningful change. Many insightful and thoughtful individuals—too numerous to name—have guided and taught me throughout this journey, helping me navigate challenges, recognize my blind spots, and broaden my perspective. LegacyWorks has allowed me to continue this lifelong exploration in a rich and meaningful way, alongside a fantastic group of like-minded changemakers.

And, I am especially proud of our Central Coast team, what we have accomplished together, and the significant impact we are making in our community.

It has been a true gift working with my team and everyone at LegacyWorks. I want to express a special gratitude to Carl Palmer and Ellen Kwiatkowski for inviting me to the table in 2022. Both have been so generous and supportive, allowing our team the grace and spaciousness to explore new ground and exercise our creativity here on California's Central Coast.

My last day at LegacyWorks will be March 31. The Central Coast Region will continue to be guided by the ever-so-capable hands of Ellen Kwiatkowski, Central Coast Director, and her awesome crew - Melissa Fontaine, Sophie Bartley, and Molly Taylor.

Please continue to share your brilliance with the world. And, I am truly looking forward to staying connected to the work in other ways - especially here in the Santa Barbara region. Should you like to stay in contact with me, I am reachable at whleahy2@gmail.com.

With greatest respect and gratitude,

Bill Leahy