,Margaret McLeod Leef worked as a writer and editorial assistant at Eating Well Magazine in Charlotte, Vermont, before returning to her native West Virginia, where she was Managing Editor of West Virginia Quarterly magazine. During her tenure, she earned several awards for her
articles profiling West Virginians.

Margaret also worked as a copywriter, editor, radio broadcaster, and website
developer for OuttaSite, Inc. 

Margaret contributes regularly to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Charleston Gazette-Mail newspaper in Charleston, WV. She also produces compelling audio stories for the acclaimed podcast Inside Appalachia.  

Margaret earned a degree in English  from the University of Vermont, where she was honored as runner-up for the English Department  Award for
Excellence in Composition

With over a decade of journalistic experience, Margaret delivers keynote addresses on the art of good conversations and interviews and gives talks that delve deeper into topics from her published work. Margaret also hosts
community forums and live interviews.