Dr. Lana Leslie-Henfling OAM

Dr Lana Leslie-Henfling OAM (known professionally as Lana Leslie) is a proud Kamilaroi woman with family connections to Coonabarabran and Moree in north-west New South Wales. She has lived on Dharug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains since 2015, where she is honoured to live, work, and contribute to the Aboriginal community.

For more than 40 years, Lana has worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across community development, education, leadership, research, mentoring, cultural education, and advocacy. Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing, her work is dedicated to advancing Aboriginal wellbeing, leadership and culturally safe practice.

Lana is the Founder and Managing Director of Violet and Retta, a 100% Aboriginal-owned business consultancy, and the Co-Founder and Chair of Gii Gaba Aboriginal Corporation, established to foster Aboriginal wellbeing through Culture, community and connection in the Blue Mountains. She also serves as Chair of the Indigenous and First Peoples Member Community within the International Leadership Association, providing leadership nationally and internationally.

With more than 20 years in higher education, Lana has taught, mentored, and led university programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. She holds a PhD in Human Geography (Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing).

In 2026, Lana was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to Indigenous communities.