COLORADO OFFICE
414 14th St. Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 308-1190
WYOMING OFFICE
259 South Center St. Suite 206
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 268-9890
Leah Brabec
Associate | Senior Project Architect
RA
I'm an Architect with a focus on K12 education. What drives me is listening to school districts, staff, students and the communities they serve, then translating those needs into spaces that make kids want to show up. There's something deeply meaningful about designing a school where students feel excited to learn, connect with their friends and teachers, and grow. I take a lot of pride in helping create places that will serve those young minds for generations to come.
My Why
I tried to leave MOA once — but it didn't last long.
I started my career here not long after graduate school, young and eager to take on anything. I ended up getting pulled into a lot of K12 projects early on, and I found myself quickly hooked. The relationships you build with school district leaders and educators who show up to support young people daily are very special. Matching that enthusiasm with my craft as an architect felt genuinely rewarding.
A few years in, I married a fellow MOA colleague, and we figured it was probably wise not to have all our eggs in one basket. So I made the difficult decision to leave and try my hand at different project types with another firm. In that time, I gained some great friendships and valuable perspective, but I missed working on schools, and I missed my MOA people.
Fortunately, they welcomed me back. I'm grateful to work somewhere that genuinely values each person's strengths and supports their individual growth. Even though I returned to where I started, I never felt like I was moving backward — if anything, the experience away helped me come back with a clearer sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the work I do here.
Favorite MOA Project
My favorite MOA project is the Jeffco Sierra Elementary School Addition and Renovation, completed in 2016. The project team—including the Jeffco project manager, school principal, facilities manager, and staff—was a joy to work with and made the experience especially rewarding. One of the project’s defining features is the grade-level learning pods, which allow students to break into smaller learning groups and gave each class its own identity and sense of pride. The central library is another standout element, bringing students and staff together in an open, airy space with a variety of nooks that support different styles of learning and collaboration.
Favorite building:
Thermal Vals
Pets:
Timber, the Shiba Inu
Favorite vacation destination:
Vals, Switzerland
If I could choose my last meal, it would be:
Korean BBQ
Most adventurous thing you've done?
RMYC Chainsaw Crew
A city I could wander endlessly:
Seoul, South Korea
Favorite board game?
Backgammon, Sequence, Ticket to Ride
Favorite podcast?
Criminal, This is Love
Associate | Senior Project Architect
Leah Brabec
RA
I'm an Architect with a focus on K12 education. What drives me is listening to school districts, staff, students and the communities they serve, then translating those needs into spaces that make kids want to show up. There's something deeply meaningful about designing a school where students feel excited to learn, connect with their friends and teachers, and grow. I take a lot of pride in helping create places that will serve those young minds for generations to come.