Courtrooms, crocs and comedy: Indigenous executive’s winding career

The Australian Financial Review’s BOSS profile explores the unique career journey of Leon Filewood, GHD’s Indigenous Engagement Lead for Infrastructure and Communities, from growing up on Thursday Island and practising law to working in First Nations governance, corporate leadership and stand-up comedy.

In the article, Leon reflects on how his legal background gave him a strong understanding of risk, governance and advocacy, while reinforcing his commitment to creating positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. He shares that his move to GHD was driven by a desire to help build sustainable economic opportunities for First Nations people, highlighting the role economic empowerment plays in supporting long-term community outcomes.
Leon explains how his role at GHD provides a platform to connect infrastructure and community development with meaningful economic participation opportunities for First Nations communities. The article also explores how he uses comedy as another avenue for advocacy, bringing people together through inclusive storytelling and shared understanding.

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.