Our Team

As Director, Leah oversees the office. She works with each team member individually and as a team on bigger projects. Leah has been in her role since 2014 and at Harvard since 2001. Before the Chan School, Leah worked at the Arnold Arboretum, managing Lilac Sunday and registration for adult education. Prior to that, she worked at the Weatherhead Center for International Affair and the Canada Program.
Before higher education, Leah worked in production for corporate events. She also managed and toured bands in North America, and live music is still a passion of hers. Originally from Ireland, Leah lived in Belfast, London, and briefly in the South of France. She has two teenage sons who keep her on her toes

Colleen joined the Office for Student Affairs in 2017 and has been working in higher education for over 15 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from James Madison University and a Master of Science in Applied Educational Psychology with a concentration on College Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University. Colleen’s primary focus is student support, and she regularly meets with students that are experiencing personal or academic challenges and provides them with support and helps navigate and connect to resources. Additionally, she serves as a Local Disability Coordinator and assists students with visible and invisible disabilities in identifying barriers and determining accommodations. Colleen established and is the chair for the Harvard Chan Care Team and developed the first Red Folder at Harvard. In her spare time, Colleen enjoys reading, being anywhere along the water and spending time with her husband Dan and tiny dog, Bitty, on the North Sho

Yana joined the Office for Student Affairs in August, 2022. Before joining OSA, she worked in college access and retention spaces for the past 16 years. Yana is passionate about student advocacy. She is focused on helping students minimize barriers, receive appropriate accommodations and serves as a Local Disability Coordinator.
Yana completed her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at Simmons University and a Master of Arts in Organizational and Multicultural Communication at DePaul University. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spinning, running, and traveling around the world.

Sam joined the Office for Student Affairs in 2024 and has worked in higher education for over ten years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Theater from Brandeis University and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs from Boston College. She is a doctoral candidate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Peabody College within Vanderbilt University. Sam manages leasing at Shattuck International House, provides resources for students living off-campus, leads new student orientation programming, and serves as one of the Title IX Resource Coordinators for students. Outside of work, Sam enjoys improv comedy, reading, and traveling.

Amy works with student organizations at Harvard Chan School to create and foster a welcoming community where students interests intersect with new relationships. She also organizes a wide range of events for students designed to enrich the student experience, promote community and connections. Amy is originally from a small town in Connecticut and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut and her Masters in Education from the University of Virginia. Amy enjoys baking when it snows, a picnic at the end of a hike, and the versatility of milk tea.

Nelson joined the Office for Student Affairs in July 2022. As Program Coordinator, Nelson manages Harvard Chan’s MBTA Semester Pass Program and student lockers, supervises the Student Services Assistants, and is staff liaison with the Harvard Chan Student Association (HCSA). Nelson is passionate about student development, leadership education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and creating positive social change.
Nelson is a proud first-generation American. He celebrates his Caribbean roots as the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Prior to Harvard Chan, Nelson lived and worked in Japan as an English language teacher and engaged in LGBTQIA+ activism. Most recently, he was the Graduate Apprentice for the Center for Leadership at Elon University.
Nelson earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Studies and International Studies from the University of South Florida and earned his Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education from Elon University.  Nelson enjoys strawberry ice cream, music, and nurturing his houseplants.