The ÖíÖíapp Board of Trustees is deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Vanessa Leonard, who passed on March 11, 2024.

Trustee Vanessa Leonard
Trustee Vanessa Leonard

The Board and each of the UA System institutions were extremely fortunate to benefit from Vanessa’s leadership, diligence and wise perspective since her appointment to the Board in 2002. As a strong advocate for each of the System’s entities, Vanessa’s contributions were invaluable to the System’s strategic growth over the past two decades. She served on sixteen different Board committees throughout her tenure, chaired the Information Technology, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, and Audit, Risk, and Compliance committees, and dedicated her time to multiple affiliate boards, including the UAB Health System Authority Board. Vanessa leaves behind a tremendous legacy of service to the UA System, her church and her community, as well as a lasting impact on the lives of all those she met and worked alongside.

She was a rare combination of patience and persistence, and a model of grace and integrity. We are grateful to have had the privilege of knowing and working with Vanessa, and she will be dearly missed. Our hearts and prayers are with her family.