Courtesy photo
Leigh Monterac, was recently named one of NoCo’s 30 Under 30.

By Adelaide Kuehn
The Surveyor

Berthoud’s Leigh Monterac is one of three things: a design and development manager, a local creative and a youth mentor. But when the magazine NOCO Style published their annual 30 Under 30 feature, Monterac added “honoree” to that list.

NoCo’s 30 Under 30 consists of successful people in their 20s nominated for their talent, work ethic, and entrepreneurship. When Monterac was chosen, it was for their work as design and development manager at the online outdoor gear retailer Gnara.

Although Monterac works from home, they fulfill a variety of roles in their position—they said they’re “a one-person department.” That means their home office hosts mood boards, paper designs, materials, and new samples—everything they need to bring products from start to finish.

Having worked with Gnara since June 2022, Monterac said they love their position because they can problem-solve for their customers. The company focuses on providing inclusive gear, so the brand makes products “that nobody’s ever seen before,” they said.

Monterac’s question often is: “What are the issues that people are dealing with and how can we fix those?” And that problem-solving, combined with a Coloradan’s love for the outdoors, fuels their passion for the company.

Right now, Monterac is doing more development than design work—focusing on troubleshooting the two products Gnara currently offers. But they’re also planning products for future seasons, all the way up to 2028.

One of these products has already caught the attention of an outdoor gear convention. In January, Gnara received an Outdoor Retailers Innovation Award for a pair of leggings designed by Monterac.

Also in Monterac’s office are other tools for personal projects. For example, their latest undertaking requires their “fleet of sewing machines,” which they’re using for a recycled fabrics project.

Personal design work is close to Monterac’s heart—they said they’re “always working on something.” That’s a result of their interest in industrial design, which started at an intensive course at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

“I loved it, I thought that was great. It was a great problem-solving opportunity,” Monterac said. From there, they studied at the University of Cincinnati, where they learned from five internships how to take a design from start to finish.

Now they use these skills at Gnara, but also for their own ideas. Their website displays six past projects, ranging from a unique jewelry line to a side business for commissioned bags.

There is a common theme between their personal designs and their work at Gnara: it focuses on problem-solving.

Their latest project is about solving the problem of how to reuse damaged Gnara products (that’s where the sewing machines come in). When that’s over, they’re certain there will be other personal designs to develop.

But every Wednesday for an hour or so, Monterac wouldn’t be found in their office. They’d be at the library with a teenager, reading magazines, drawing or simply chatting.

This is what Monterac does as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. They started with the advocacy program when they returned from college and wanted more community service in their life.

The process starts when a child going through abuse or neglect is recommended to the program by a judge. Then volunteers who have gone through 40 hours of required training are notified and can choose to become the child’s advocate.

After the first meeting, the advocate and child meet weekly to check in on how things are going. Monterac and their teenager always meet at the library to chill while they talk.

“I’m not a therapist. I’m just there to advocate for him if he needs something,” Monterac said. That means talking to his teachers, doctors, social workers, etc. to make sure he gets everything he needs.

But the program isn’t one-sided: Monterac said they’ve gained a meaningful relationship as a result.

“I really wish that I had had mentors around this age when I was a teenager and so I’m happy to be that person for [him],” Monterac said.

It’s also nice having fun together, Monterac said. One of their favorite parts of the program is hearing from his grandmother, who they said often comments on the smile on his face after they meet.

Until he is an adult, Monterac will continue to see him weekly. If it works out, the two might continue their relationship after that.
Monterac is now a 30 Under 30 honoree, but many aspects of their life won’t change. Their office will still be the hub of Gnara designs, they’ll still have their collection of sewing machines, and they’ll still be at the library every Wednesday. Now they’ve just been recognized for it.