Leonie Walsh
veski chair, ProductiveMS
Dr Leonie Walsh is a strategic adviser in technological innovation with over 30 years of local and international experience across a broad range of industries.
Leonie joined the veski board of directors in July 2020 and was elected as veski deputy chair in April 2021. Leonie was elected veski chair on 16 November 2022, having assumed the role of acting veski chair from 1 January 2022.
Leonie’s career bridged across Government and Academia as the inaugural Lead Scientist for the Victorian Government from 2013 to 2016 with a focus on innovation, technology commercialisation and the future skilled workforce.
Leonie’s most recent strategic advisory focus has been in the Renewable Energy, Clean Technology, Defence and Education sectors with current roles including the Board Chair for the Center for New Energy Technologies (C4NET), Swinburne University of Technology Council member, Independent Director of RayGen, Board Director of the Victorian Clean Technology Fund and Advisory Council Chair for the Defence Science Group OCE STaR Shot.
Leonie is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and was the Inaugural Ambassador for Women in STEMM Australia.
Leonie has been engaged with veski since 2013 – championing women in STEM through a number of key initiatives and more recently as the Selection Panel Chair for the veski inspiring women STEMsidebyside program in 2018, 2019 and 2020.