Born and raised in Monterey, California, Carlos Leyva has been immersed in the arts since childhood. His passion for creative expression has shaped both his education and professional journey. While earning his B.S. in Experience Industry Management at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Carlos also pursued ceramics and ballet—performing in The Nutcracker with the San Luis Obispo Academy of Dance.

After graduation, Carlos returned to the Monterey Peninsula to be near family and to give back to his community through art. He was part of the studio team for world-renowned sculptor Richard MacDonald, contributing to a monumental bronze installation now permanently displayed in Pebble Beach, California.

He later led a Youth Sculpture Program for underserved youth in Monterey County, culminating in the creation of a 9/11 Healing Pole—a tribute permanently installed at the Bronx Zoo.

A lifelong RC hobbyist, Carlos eventually built his first FPV drone and discovered a new passion for aerial perspective. This evolved into his current role at Airspace Integration at Monterey Bay Academy, where art, technology, and flight converge.

Carlos and his wife Adrienne have two children. In his spare time, he enjoys restoring and riding anything with wheels—and seizing every creative opportunity “with heart in hand.”