Neotha Leslie brings a unique blend of artistic sensibility and analytical thought process to her work at Civitas. With a background in fine art and graphic design, she’s passionate about creating landscapes that are not only beautiful and balanced but also deeply rooted in the context of place, people, and ecological systems.
Neotha’s journey with Civitas began in 2006 as a graduate school intern, sparked by a professor’s recommendation and her own admiration for the firm’s work. After spending over a decade gaining experience at other firms, she returned to Civitas, first as a contractor and now as a full-time designer, drawn back by the studio’s high standards, thoughtful, collaborative energy, and culture.
Her design approach is rooted in curiosity and humility. She is deeply influenced by her work in post-Katrina New Orleans, where community-driven recovery shaped her commitment to understanding history, context, and culture. A fellowship in Italy studying architecture, art history, and urban form further expanded her thinking about how belief systems and worldviews shape the built environment. Today, she is especially drawn to complex projects that demand the integration of ecological function, cultural relevance, and human experience.
Outside the studio, Neotha finds joy in family life with her 12-year-old son and husband. You might catch her listening to NPR, traveling, hiking in the mountains, or baking.
