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.

Acerca de GHD

GHD es una empresa líder en servicios profesionales que opera en los mercados mundiales de agua, energía y recursos, medio ambiente, infraestructura y edificaciones, y transporte. Comprometidos con la visión de garantizar que el agua, la energía y las comunidades sean sostenibles para las futuras generaciones, GHD ofrece soluciones en consultoría, servicios digitales, ingeniería, arquitectura, medio ambiente y construcción a clientes del sector público y privado. Fundada en 1928 y propiedad de sus trabajadores, GHD cuenta con una red de más de 12.000 profesionales en más de 165 oficinas en cinco continentes.