Leanne Holt

Professor Leanne Holt is a Worimi/Biripi woman and a prominent leader in Indigenous higher education, currently serving as the inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). With over 25 years of experience, she previously held the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy at Macquarie University and co-Directed the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle.

Her academic qualifications include a PhD in Education from the University of Newcastle (2016), focused on Aboriginal education policy development in Australia. She has contributed extensively to Indigenous education and health research as a Chief Investigator on projects funded by the Australian Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, and other bodies.

• Chaired Yadhu Maru and Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health
• Board member of Barabarang Aboriginal Corporation
• Member of expert panels for the Department of Education Equity in Higher Education Panel and TEQSA

Her work spans education policy, Indigenous mental health, and cultural competency. She authored the book 'Talking Strong' and has been recognized with national and international leadership awards, including being a finalist in the Telstra Women’s Business Awards.