Leigh is a Virginia native, having grown up in the Shenandoah Valley. She earned her PhD in the Constructed Environment at UVA with an emphasis on architectural history, focused on late 20th century American theory in architecture. Her research reevaluates the role of linguistic post-structuralism in the Deconstructivist Architecture exhibition held at the MoMA in 1988. Leigh also holds an MA in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, a MArch from the Savanna College of Art and Design, and a BA in Art History from George Mason University.

Other academic interests include the architecture of fantasy—from conceptual projects to virtual environments—and the role of the museum in shaping the intellectual agenda that mediates architectural practice.

Leigh began working for BRW while earning her PhD and re-joined the firm in 2022 to work on our resident-led design curriculum and other publishing projects. In her spare time, Leigh enjoys putzing around downtown Charlottesville and Belmont with her husband, Isaac, and their two children.