With 30 years of experience in the biotech, vaccine, and pharmaceutical industries across both local and international landscapes, Leanne is a highly respected leader in product development and commercialisation strategy. Formerly CEO Sementis Ltd (Australia) and as Global Senior Executive at GSK Vaccines (Belgium), Leanne has led diverse teams in developing and commercialising vaccines and medical technologies across a wide range of disease areas, geographies, and investment levels. She also contributes her expertise as a Board Commercialisation Committee Member at WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), AusBiotech (SA Committee) and Health Security Systems Divisional Advisory Panel. She is mentor to several biotechnology start-ups, helping guide strategic decisions to support translation of cutting-edge research into impactful medical solutions.

With an extensive Australian and global network, Leanne connects biotech companies with the right expertise at the right time. She has been deeply engaged in the start-up ecosystem locally and internationally as a pitch judge, mentor, and expert advisor, with broad experience in incubator and mentoring programs and a deep understanding of what makes successful products, teams and companies. Passionate about fostering innovation and economic growth, she is committed to making a meaningful impact by helping bring life-changing technologies to the people who need them most.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of Adelaide, post-graduate qualifications in Pharmaco-economics (Monash University) and Start-up Board Directorship (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Leanne Hobbs is Strategic Advisor to Biointelect Venturer, following her foundational leadership as the program’s inaugural General Manager. She continues to guide strategic direction, ecosystem engagement, and partnership development for the incubator.