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I am a Saltwater woman and a descendant of Matora (Awabakal) and Bungaree (Garigal/Darug), with family ties through Diana Mudgee to the Wiradyuri Nation. I am an Associate Professor in the UQ Business School and Director of the Indigenous Business Hub, and serve as Associate PRME Director – Indigenous Engagement for the UQ Business School.

I have more than 40 years of experience across academia, government, industry and community, with professional and academic work spanning Indigenous employment, Indigenous business, equity and inclusion, organisational change, industrial relations and Indigenous economic participation. My work brings together academic research, professional practice, community relationships and policy engagement, with a focus on creating practical and sustainable pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and businesses.

My research centres on Indigenous employment, Indigenous business, Indigenous leadership and organisational transformation. My scholarship examines how colonial structures, institutional practices and workplace systems shape the experiences and opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Drawing on Indigenous standpoint theory, Indigenous methodologies, Indigenous feminist perspectives and decolonial approaches, my research develops relational and culturally grounded approaches to employment, leadership, business and organisational change.

My research program spans industrial relations, human resource management, business education, leadership, Indigenous governance and economic participation. A consistent feature of my work is the connection between research, policy and practice. My research has informed policy processes and has been cited in Ministerial papers and Bills introduced into Parliament. I have also contributed to national policy and advisory processes concerning Indigenous employment, higher education, Indigenous entrepreneurship, workforce participation and organisational change.

As Director of the Indigenous Business Hub, I connect research, education, industry and community. The Hub supports research and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, organisations, governments and communities, and provides pathways for Indigenous knowledge, business expertise and community priorities to inform business education and research at UQ.

I established the International Journal of Indigenous Business through the Indigenous Business Hub and serve as Editor-in-Chief. The journal provides an international scholarly platform for Indigenous business research and centres Indigenous voices, Indigenous knowledges and priorities across business, enterprise, governance, policy, education and leadership.

I completed my Doctor of Philosophy (Business) at the University of Newcastle in 2016. My doctoral thesis, Private-sector employment programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Comparative case studies, examined approaches to Indigenous employment in the private sector. I was the first Aboriginal person to be awarded a PhD in Business from the University of Newcastle.

I completed my Honours thesis in 2006, examining mentoring as a human resource strategy to address labour market disadvantage for Indigenous Australians through a qualitative study of mentoring outcomes for Indigenous trainees at the University of Newcastle.

My work is grounded in reciprocity, relational accountability and Indigenous self-determination. Across academic, community, industry and policy settings, I seek to create opportunities through which knowledge, relationships and resources can move in both directions — strengthening UQ while contributing to outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, businesses, organisations and students.

I am a Quandamooka researcher and educator whose work sits at the intersection of Indigenous education, culturally safe engagement, and Indigenous data governance. With more than twenty‑five years’ experience across schooling, VET and higher education, I focus on creating systems, policies, and learning environments that strengthen Indigenous participation, leadership, and workforce capability.

I am a Lecturer in Indigenous Education in the School of Education and was previously the Director for Indigenous Education in UQ’s Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. In these roles, I work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff, and communities, and collaborate with academic, industry, and government partners to progress Indigenous‑led educational reform.

My research centres on Indigenous workforce pathways, retention, and accountability, informed by strengths‑based Indigenous methodologies. My PhD examined the sustainability of the Indigenous teacher workforce, and this work now extends through ARC and Teaching Innovation Grant projects focusing on Indigenous workforce data practices, governance, and culturally grounded policy design.

I welcome HDR students and collaborators who are interested in Indigenous education, workforce development, community‑led methodologies, and ethical approaches to Indigenous data. I am particularly interested in projects that partner with communities and contribute to practical, strengths‑focused change.

Leonie is proud of her traditional connections to the Djaku-nde people of North Burnett, Juru people in Bowen North Queensland and the Nuigi people of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) with bloodline traces back to Tanna, Santo and Lifu Island's in Vanuatu. With over 30 years of experience in social work, Leonie is a nationally recognised leader in cultural safety, Indigenous engagement and community development. Leonie has extensive experience in across child protection, mental health and teritary education sectors. Her professional expereist encompasses policy development, legislative reform, and practice frameworks, with a strong emphasis on co-design, cultural mentoring and workforce development. She has lectured in Indigenous Health, Social Work, Mental Health and contributed to the development of culturally safe, student-centred curricula. Renowned for her authentic faciliation style, she empowers individuals and organisations to embed cultural safety and drive systemic change across government, non-government, and academic contexts.