Leigh-Ann Buchanan
President & CEO
Conexión con Miami
As President & CEO of Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, Buchanan leads efforts to commercialize tech solutions for public challenges, positioning Miami-Dade as a hub for high-growth companies and economic outcomes. Through Nyah Project, Tech Equity Miami, Venture Café Miami, and aīre ventures, she has bridged opportunity gaps for underrepresented communities, unlocking over $80 million in philanthropic investment. Her initiatives like the REDI Scorecard and Opportunity Connect have advanced racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in South Florida's tech ecosystem.
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Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, Esq., is a founder, investor, and strategic advisor with over 15 years of experience as an attorney and social impact executive, holding a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and a B.A. from Bethune-Cookman University. She founded and led Venture Café Miami and aīre ventures for seven years, fostering Miami's tech ecosystem through initiatives like the MiamiTech Manifesto, REDI Scorecard, and Opportunity Connect. Buchanan stepped down from aīre ventures to become the first President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, accelerating innovation for critical public challenges. She also founded Nyah Project in 2014, helping underrepresented students secure over $30 million in scholarships with 100% college attendance. Her work has unlocked over $80 million in philanthropic investment, featured in outlets like the New York Times and Inc. Magazine. Raised in Vancouver, Canada, she is deeply connected to South Florida's innovation scene.