Leah Mendonca

Hi, I’m Leah, a Graphic Designer and Illustrator specializing in creating memorable experiences that spark curiosity and inspire positive action. I founded Animal Creative Co. to help organizations tell their stories in ways that fully engage audiences and leave a lasting impact.

My passion for design evolved into a full-time career working with nonprofits, public institutions, and tourism organizations—as both a freelancer and in-house designer. My work spans conservation, animal welfare, and community-focused projects, always with the goal of helping organizations reach further and make a greater difference. I’ve had the privilege of serving as in-house designer for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and Calgary Humane Society, leading everything from brand communications and environmental graphics to interpretive signage, marketing campaigns, and donor outreach. Whether refreshing a brand across a 125-acre park or creating fundraising materials, I root every design in intention.

At my core, I believe design should connect, engage, and inspire. With a thoughtful balance of strategy and creativity, every project is about more than how it looks—it’s about the experience it creates and the action it motivates, whether that’s making a donation, finding your way through a park, or choosing to recycle at home. Every action, big or small, makes a difference.