Leonardo debated and was Debate Captain all four years of high school (2014-2018), competing in TFA, Texas UIL, and NSDA in Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Congressional Debate. Leonardo also competed at the Harvard and UC Berkeley Invitational Tournament in 2016 and 2017, was an NSDA Academic All-American, broke multiple times into the final bracket at TFA and NSDA tournaments during high school, and accumulated two TOC bids.

Post high school graduation, Leonardo aided and coached his local high school team and graduated from Brown University with a BA in International and Public Affairs with honors in June of 2022. After working at the US Department of State, the Boston Consulting Group, and the White House, Leonardo graduated from the University of Chicago with an MA in International Relations with honors in June of 2025.

Leonardo seeks to help students, especially those of marginalized backgrounds, find their voice, improve their self-esteem through public speaking, and aid students in becoming better researchers and confident debaters. Congressional and Public Forum debates are his favorite events, but he takes pride in helping students from any background or starting point for any event in their Speech and Debate Journey.