Leoni Esmee Fohr

Leoni Fohr is the California Center for Rural Policy's Communications and Program Director, where she leads communications strategy and coordinates program delivery across CCRP's project portfolio. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Leoni and her partner moved to Humboldt in 2019. After many years in the wonderful yet dense city of Amsterdam, life here — nestled between the redwoods and the Pacific — has been a breath of fresh air.

At CCRP, Leoni builds and stewards the organization's communications infrastructure, translates research and partnerships into compelling public-facing narratives, and manages projects, deliverables, and staff across the Center's portfolio. Currently, two of her key projects are: Redwood Region RISE (RRRISE) — a regional collaborative bringing together 175+ organizations and thousands of residents across Tribal Lands, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties to advance inclusive, sustainable economic development — and Resilient Together, a PG&E initiative focused on understanding how climate hazards impact communities across California and ensuring the most vulnerable have access to the resources they need.

With a BA in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, an MSc in Sociology (Social Problems and Public Policy), and over 9 years' experience in communications and program management for international non-profits and businesses, Leoni is passionate about combining social research, strategic communications, and cross-team coordination to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Before joining CCRP, she co-created Pairagraph, an independent translating and editing company, and honed her ability to craft localized, resonant content as a Senior AIE Linguist at Welocalize.

When she's not working, you can find Leoni biking around town, hiking through the redwoods or along the coast, cuddling with her guinea pigs, diving into craft projects, or perfecting her sourdough recipes.