Leah Swearingen's communications career spans three decades. For more than 15 years she has worked one-on-one with CEOs, presidents, executive directors, business owners, managing partners, marketing directors, community leaders and others in developing and implementing strategic business communications.

Prior to founding Swearingen Communications in 1987, Ms. Swearingen held in-house positions as National Marketing Manager, Director of Public Relations, and Promotions Manager for corporate and non-profit organizations, including Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich. Her electronic media experience includes positions with Jefferson-Pilot Broadcasting, KFMB-Television, Cox Communication and Gulf Coast Broadcasting. She earned the distinguished APR (Accredited in Public Relations) accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 1998, a distinction granted to fewer than eight percent of PR practitioners in the United States. Ms. Swearingen is also a national award-winning business writer.

She has taught PR and Marketing at the college level as a guest instructor at San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. Ms. Swearingen has also been a featured speaker and trainer for such organizations as the Women's Business Center of California, Executive Women's Council, San Diego County Bar Association, MCLE Panelist, Lawyers Club, the Association of Legal Administrators, and "Back on Track America," and served as a judge for the American Marketing Association's "Amy Awards," San Diego Chapter.

Ms. Swearingen received a B.S. degree with high honors from the School of Communication, University of Texas at Austin in 1977. She was selected for and graduated from the LEAD San Diego class of 1986-1987. Ms. Swearingen earned APR accreditation in 1998. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the San Diego Chapter of PRSA.

She is a recipient of the Bravo/Affiliate award from the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Executive Women's Council; Star Award from the San Diego Performing Arts League; and was a finalist in the San Diego Women Who Mean Business awards. She received the National Law Firm Marketing Association's (predecessor to today's Legal Marketing Association) Your Honor award.

An active volunteer, Ms. Swearingen holds leadership positions in numerous charitable and civic organizations. She is a longtime member of the San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary, and is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Ms. Swearingen serves on the advisory board of the Women's Business Center of California and as the Public Relations chair for the SD Downtown Breakfast Rotary, and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of San Diego.

Past positions include President of the Board and Chair of Development, Lamb's Players Theatre; Executive Committee and Chair of Development, Senior Community Services; Public Relations Chair, The Executive Women's Council, University Club of San Diego; Headmaster's Advisory Council, The Bishop's School; Sergeant-of-Arms, Director of Vocational Services and President-Elect, San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary; Advisory Member, Thousand Smiles Foundation; Member, Women of 2000; Advisory Committee, San Diego Athletic Club; and Ruling Elder, First Presbyterian Church of San Diego.