The Block has a new boss on site, and let’s just say, she knows her way around a building site.
With Dan Reilly taking a few weeks off after welcoming baby Fletcher, Leonie Akhidenor has stepped in to keep an eye on the builds, the teams and, presumably, any Block chaos that comes her way.
And while Leonie might be a new face to viewers, she’s certainly no rookie when it comes to construction. So, who exactly is the woman stepping into Foreman Dan’s shoes? Here’s everything you need to know about Leonie Akhidenor.
Who is Leonie Akhidenor?
Leonie is a Melbourne-based property developer, builder and businesswoman who has worked in the construction industry for around a decade.
She’s the Head of Residential Development at View Bank Homes, a family-owned property development company founded by her parents in 1990. Leonie has been with the business since 2016, where she oversees greenfield residential developments across Melbourne.
Leonie has also described herself as the only woman on site at times, working in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated industry. In a 2018 interview shared by View Bank Homes, she said she saw being a minority in the industry as an opportunity, particularly because of the way women working in construction can support one another.
Is Leonie Akhidenor a builder?
Yes, and this is where her Block credentials get particularly interesting. In 2025, Leonie announced that she had officially become a licensed builder after a decade working in construction. Sharing the news on LinkedIn, she said the qualification came after years of learning, leading sites, attending inspections and navigating the challenges that come with working in the industry.
So while Leonie may be the new face on The Block, she isn’t exactly learning on the job. She already has years of experience managing residential developments and leading construction projects under her belt.
What does Leonie do outside of construction?
When she’s not working in property development, Leonie has another big project on the go — parenting.
She’s a mum of two and the host of the Parenthood podcast, which launched in 2020 and explores the highs, lows and often messy realities of becoming a parent.
The podcast has covered everything from relationships and the mental load to identity, anxiety, parenting and balancing work and family life. Leonie has described it as being a bit like “group therapy”, only juicier.
She’s also worked as a relationship coach and business consultant, giving her a career that extends well beyond the construction site. Which means she might have a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to managing big personalities under pressure.
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