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Professor Leanne Holt is a Worimi/Biripi woman from the mid-coast of New South Wales. She is the inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at UNSW. Contributing to Indigenous higher education for over 25 years she was previously the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy at Macquarie University and prior to this co-Director of the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle.

Professor Holt’s qualifications began in human resources going on to complete postgraduate programs in Business and Management. In 2016 she was awarded a PhD (Education) from the University of Newcastle, for her thesis titled Development of Aboriginal Education Policy in Australia: Voices of the National Aboriginal Education Committee.

Professor Holt has Chaired and been a member of a number of national and international Indigenous education committees. She is currently Chairperson of Yadhu Maru and the Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health, as well as Board member of Barabarang Aboriginal Corporation. Professor Holt is additionally a member of expert panels including the Department of Education Equity in Higher Education Panel and the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education Advisory Board. She is an expert panel member for the Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Authority (TEQSA) and has Chaired a number of panels reviewing Indigenous programs and services at universities nationally and internationally.

Professor Holt is the author of the book ‘Talking Strong’ and is Chief Investigator on Australian Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, Ministry of Health and other Indigenous education and health related research projects. She has a number of publications relating to Indigenous higher education and has been recognised for her leadership receiving various national and international leadership awards, including being a finalist in the Telstra Women’s Business Awards.