West Fargo, ND – (December 16, 2021) – West Fargo Public Schools’ Heather Leas, Director of Health, Safety, & Public Relations, has been named to Prairie Business magazine’s 40 Under 40, a list of top business professionals in North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Minnesota.

Leas began her career in school communications in 2007 as the executive assistant to West Fargo Public Schools’ superintendent and School Board. In 2012, she accepted the position as the district’s first public relations coordinator. Since then, her portfolio has grown to include school safety and security and health services, as well as public relations. In 2021, she was named Director of Health, Safety, & Public Relations and now oversees the district’s nurses, school resource officers, and public relations specialist. As the district’s pandemic response coordinator, Leas’ leadership and expertise have been instrumental in the district’s response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Leas holds a bachelor’s degree in professional communications from Valley City State University and is the only individual in the state designated as a Master Public Information Officer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

As a member of the 2021 class, Leas was selected from over 120 nominees who have proven themselves to be invaluable assets to their organization, community, and industry. She was one of just two individuals from the education sector to make this year’s list.

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