Leanne Hodyl

As a nationally recognised leader in urban strategy and design, Leanne is known for the credibility, clarity and conviction she brings to every project.

A trusted advisor to government, industry and community, Leanne brings a rare blend of strategic thinking, creative leadership and purpose-led values to her work. Over the past two decades, Leanne has led organisations and multi-disciplinary project teams across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She has delivered design projects across Australia in Victoria, ACT, NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Leanne’s 2015 Churchill Fellowship report re-shaped planning policy in Victoria and earned the state’s highest planning prize. As Director of Hodyl & Co from 2016 to 2025, she delivered transformative urban strategy and design policy projects, including Melbourne’s Central City Built Form Review and nationally-award winning research for the ACT Government on embedding good design governance through planning reform. She founded the global platform Cities People Love, reflecting an unwavering commitment to positive change for urban environments.

In 2025, she launched Hodyl, an urban strategy and design consultancy focused on advising and partnering with clients who are delivering in the public interest.

An unapologetically ambitious thinker and compelling communicator, Leanne challenges the status quo and doesn’t settle for just-good-enough. Her expertise, passion and voice continue to shape the national conversation on the future of our cities.