Hay's work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and literary journals. She has been a featured interview guest on Minnesota Public Radio, FOX 26 Houston, USA Today, SLATE,  multiple podcasts, and a TEDx Talk conference event. 

Hay is a graduate of Villanova University, with a BA in History, and minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice. While researching her book, NPE* A Story Guide for Unexpected DNA Discoveries (2021), she earned professional certificates from Florida State University, College of Social Work in Trauma & Resilience.


HONORS

2024 TEDx VillanovaU Conference: IGNITE CHANGE. (regional speaking event)
         "SPIT HAPPENS: I Lost My Identity And Found Empathy From A DNA Test"
          Leeanne R Hay, TEDxVillanovaU

2020  Tucson Festival of Books Literary Awards (national competition - nonfiction)
Finalist - HIDDEN MEASURES the story of a Black classical musician and his life's passion to diversify an American orchestra through training excellence in underserved neighborhoods around the symphony hall. (An excerpt was published by The Dallas Morning News, 2020.)

2016  Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference Awards (national competition - nonfiction) 

Ten Spurs Award - THE CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND, a long form reported narrative about children of parents who are opioid drug users and one family who was orphaned when both parents succumbed to their addictions in 24 hours. (Ten Spurs Literary Journal, University of North Texas Press, 2017)