What does it look like to combine social work and law in one career?
For Anisa Joy Leonard, it looks like long days, steady focus, and a clear mission. She is a social worker. She is also a law student. And she is building a career designed to close gaps in systems that often leave people behind.
“I’ve always wanted my work to mean something,” she says. “Not just in theory, but in real life for real people.”
Her path shows how she is doing exactly that.
Who Is Anisa Joy Leonard?
Anisa Joy Leonard was born in Nairobi, Kenya. She was raised in Harrisonburg, Virginia. That mix shaped her early view of the world.
“Growing up between cultures helped me see how systems affect people differently,” she explains. “It made me curious about fairness and opportunity.”
That curiosity turned into action during college.
She attended Eastern Mennonite University and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2021. She also completed minors in Honors, sociology, and global development. She was recognized as a 2021 Cords of Distinction recipient for academic excellence and leadership.
While at EMU, she wrote for the student newspaper. She covered social issues and student life. That experience sharpened her voice.
“Writing helped me think more clearly,” she says. “It pushed me to ask better questions about the world around me.”
From early on, she was not just studying systems. She was analyzing them.
Education in Social Work and Policy
After EMU, Anisa moved to New York City. She enrolled at Columbia University and earned her Master’s in Social Work.
There, she focused on client-centered care, policy, and evidence-based practice.
“Social work teaches you to look at the whole person,” she says. “Not just the problem in front of you, but the environment around it.”
Her graduate training gave her tools to understand how poverty, housing, healthcare, and education connect. It also showed her the limits of direct service.
“You can help someone today,” she explains. “But if the policy is broken, the problem comes back.”
That realization changed the direction of her career.
Why Is Anisa Joy Leonard Studying Law?
Today, Anisa is pursuing her Juris Doctor at George Washington University Law School.
Her goal is not to leave social work behind. It is to expand her impact.
“I don’t see social work and law as separate,” she says. “I see them as partners.”
She wants to understand how laws are written. How regulations are enforced. How advocacy works at a higher level.
Law school allows her to build that knowledge. It gives her the language of policy and legal strategy. Combined with her social work background, it creates a rare skill set.
“I want to be able to sit at the table where decisions are made,” she says. “And speak for the people who are not in the room.”
What Does a Social Work Intake Specialist Do?
While studying law, Anisa works as a Social Work Intake Specialist.
Her job is direct and hands-on. She meets clients at vulnerable moments. She assesses their needs. She connects them to services and resources.
“Intake is often the first step,” she explains. “It sets the tone for everything that comes after.”
This role requires empathy and structure at the same time. She must listen carefully. She must also think critically.
“You have to understand the story,” she says. “But you also have to move quickly and make practical decisions.”
Her background in evidence-based practice helps her stay grounded. Her legal training sharpens her analytical skills.
This combination positions her as a bridge between systems and people.
Leadership in Social Justice and Community Work
Anisa’s leadership does not come from a title. It comes from alignment.
Her academic choices. Her professional roles. Her faith-based involvement. They all point in the same direction.
She remains active in the Mennonite USA Church. She participates in community initiatives and service programs.
“My faith teaches me to care about justice and community,” she says. “That’s not separate from my career. It shapes it.”
Her global roots also influence her leadership style. She brings both local commitment and international awareness.
“Every community has strengths,” she notes. “You have to start there.”
This mindset reflects modern leadership in social impact fields. It is not about control. It is about listening, learning, and acting with intention.
How Running Fuels Her Discipline and Focus
Outside of work and school, Anisa runs.
It is not just a hobby. It is part of her discipline.
“Running keeps me steady,” she says. “It clears my head.”
Balancing a full-time role with law school demands structure. Running helps her manage stress and stay focused.
In many ways, it mirrors her career path. It is steady. It is long-term. It requires endurance.
“You don’t see results overnight,” she says. “But if you stay consistent, progress happens.”
What’s Next for Anisa Joy Leonard?
Anisa is still early in her legal career. But her direction is clear.
She is building expertise in both direct service and legal systems. She understands clients at ground level. She is learning how policy shapes their lives.
That dual perspective positions her as a leader in the evolving space between social work and law.
“I want my work to connect the dots,” she says. “From the individual story to the bigger system.”
Her journey from Nairobi to Virginia, from EMU to Columbia, and now to GW Law reflects steady growth. It also reflects intention.
In a field that often separates policy from practice, Anisa Joy Leonard is working to bring them back together.
And she is doing it step by step.
Read more:
Anisa Joy Leonard: Building Justice From the Ground Up