Leanne is a recognised leader in design and planning in Australia. She is a Churchill Fellow, the founder of Hodyl & Co and the immediate past president of the Urban Design Forum Australia. Leanne founded Hodyl & Co in 2016 and has grown the practice into a nationally award-winning company that brings globally leading solutions to those who govern, plan, design and develop our cities. Her 2015 Churchill Fellowship report was pivotal in reforming planning practices in Melbourne and received Victoria’s highest planning prize.

She has continued to innovate the profession, in 2020 launching the research and practice collaboration, Cities People Love, a unique platform that connects leading thinking and research to industry and government decision-makers. In 2021, she co-led the revival of the Urban Design Forum Australia, which advocates for public interest outcomes in our cities. Leanne is engaged by both the public and private sector to provide strategic advice and expertise regarding the development of our cities.