At a Glance
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I also have three others in a pile: Raising Fire (A Ben Garston Novel) by James Bennett; The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore; and Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed.
What movie do you recommend to everyone?
One is Jaws—it has such classic one-liners and has really good acting. The second is Castaway; there are themes in that movie about self-resilience and being introspective and coming to terms with trauma that I think really touch people.
What’s the first thing you do after work?
I’ll get into my outdoor or running clothes and take my puppy Kumu for a walk.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, where would you live?
I dream a lot about living on the islands or the coast of Italy. The food, the wine, the coffee, the old architecture, and the European feel really appeal to me.
If you could domesticate a wild animal what animal would it be?
From a wildlife biologist perspective, I’d say we shouldn’t domesticate any animal. That being said, I really love elephants.
At a Glance
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I also have three others in a pile: Raising Fire (A Ben Garston Novel) by James Bennett; The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore; and Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed.
What movie do you recommend to everyone?
One is Jaws—it has such classic one-liners and has really good acting. The second is Castaway; there are themes in that movie about self-resilience and being introspective and coming to terms with trauma that I think really touch people.
What’s the first thing you do after work?
I’ll get into my outdoor or running clothes and take my puppy Kumu for a walk.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, where would you live?
I dream a lot about living on the islands or the coast of Italy. The food, the wine, the coffee, the old architecture, and the European feel really appeal to me.
If you could domesticate a wild animal what animal would it be?
From a wildlife biologist perspective, I’d say we shouldn’t domesticate any animal. That being said, I really love elephants.
Off the Cuff
arah Leonard is the President and CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association; she took the position in 2012 after twenty years of working in Alaska in roles ranging from wildlife viewing coordinator to various fundraising positions. “I love working with the team [at the Alaska Travel Industry Association],” Leonard says. “Everyone is passionate about travel… people here really believe that visiting and experiencing Alaska is a special thing and they want to share that.” She lives in Anchorage with her husband Chris, son Jacob, and dog Kumu.
Alaska Business: What do you do in your free time?
Sarah Leonard: I love antiquing and thrift store shopping, and I love looking on Pinterest at interior design and refurbishing furniture.
AB: Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always wanted to learn?
Leonard: I think it would be cool to be a really good singer. And I would like to learn and become fluent in another language, like Spanish or Italian.
AB: What’s the most daring thing that you’ve ever done?
Leonard: Giving birth, and deciding to have a child—one of the best and hardest things I’ve done was to have a child and be a parent.
AB: What is your go-to comfort food?
Leonard: Cheese and pasta. I’m from Wisconsin originally, and I love cheese, any kind of cheese and breads. I guess I said pasta, but just something starchy with cheese.
AB: Other than your current career, if you were a child today, what would your dream job be?
Leonard: I’d love to be a travel writer.
AB: What’s your favorite way to exercise?
Leonard: I run on the treadmill and with my dog in the neighborhood, but I don’t like running (sorry to all the runners out there). I do like hiking and being outdoors.
AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to most see perform live in concert?
Leonard: I like Willie Nelson, and it would have been really cool to see Elvis.
AB: What are you superstitious about?
Leonard: I always try to tell myself to be positive and have a positive aura just to be on the safe side, just because we don’t really know everything about what spirits or whatever may be out there.
AB: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Leonard: My husband would say how I buy clothes and shoes online, and I go on expensive—but good quality—vacations.
AB: What is your best attribute and your worst attribute?
Leonard: My best attribute is that I’m loyal and I want my friends and family to know I’m there for them—whether they want it or not. I’m a middle child and I have a drive to please people. And sometimes that can be my worst attribute, when I try to play a mediator and please everyone and not respect my own boundaries. 
Images © Kerry Tasker