Leneen Forde began her career as a Medical Laboratory Technician in Ontario, Canada, upon receipt of a Diploma of Medical Technology in 1953. From 1954 to 1956, she was employed by the Haematology Department of the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

She changed career paths, and in 1970, graduated from the University of Queeensland with a Bachelor of Laws. She commenced work as a solicitor the following year at Deacons, Graham and James. In 1973, Leneen became the founding President of the Queensland Women Lawyers’ Association. In 1974, she was made a partner at Deacons, Graham and James and that same year, represented Queensland in the Australian Women Lawyers’ Association. During the 1970s she was also a member of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties.

During the following decade, the 1980s, she Chaired the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. From 1986 to 1992 Leneen was a member of the Zonta International Foundation Board. From 1988 to 1990, she Chaired the Queensland Supreme Court Probate Rules Review Committee.

From 1990 to 1992, Leneen became a member of: the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal - Queensland Law Society; the Queensland University of Technology Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee; the Queensland University of Technology Council; and the Queensland Small Business Corporation. During those two years, she was also the International President of Zonta International. In 1991-92, Leneen convened the Queensland Women’s Consultative Council and chaired the Office of Economic Development for the City of Brisbane.

In 1992, Leneen Forde was appointed Governor of Queensland, a position she held until 1997.

In 1993, she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia. (AC)

From 1997 to the present, she has been President of the Scout Association of Australia. In 1998, she was appointed Chair of the Commission of Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, a position she held for one year.

At present, Leneen is a member of the National Committee on Human Rights Education, she is the Vice Chair of the National Executive Defence Reserves Support Council and is also the Chancellor of Griffith University.