Misha Semënov-Leiva (he/him/his) is an architect and alternate representative for the town of Essex on the Connecticut River Gateway Commission. An avid kayaker, hiker, bicyclist, and all-around nature enthusiast, Misha is passionate about the conservation of the Connecticut River Valley and its unparalleled natural and cultural resources. Most recently, he has been championing the introduction of light pollution language into the Gateway standards.

Misha has presented his expertise on sustainable design at various conferences and media outlets, including the American Institute of Architects’ Conference on Architecture, Greenbuild, the Northeast Summit for a Sustainable Built Environment, and the US Green Building Council’s Built for Health podcast.

A licensed Architect in Connecticut, LEED BD+C Accredited Professional, and Certified Passive House Consultant, Misha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Princeton University, a Master of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture, and a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment.