Leanne Forbes

Leanne Forbes

Director

With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Leanne brings the perspective of someone who’s navigated—and thrived—through multiple waves of technological and market disruption. She founded and built a SaaS company specializing in compliance software, full-service marketing, and website development, eventually leading it to a successful exit after a multi-decade run. From launching in the early days of the internet to adapting through the rise of cloud platforms and AI, she understands both the grind and the strategic pivots needed to sustain and scale a tech business over time. This experience directly informs her ability to support social purpose organizations in leveraging technology for greater impact.

Beyond tech, Leanne has been active in real estate development, giving her a broader business lens and the ability to work across capital-intensive industries. She also serves as a mentor through Platform Calgary and Futurpreneur. Leanne continues to find energy in helping founders sharpen their vision, avoid common pitfalls, and grow with clarity and confidence.

Leanne focuses on giving practical, grounded advice rooted in lived experiences. Her approach combines operational insight and emotional intelligence. Lately, she has been exploring the frontier of agentic AI, keeping close to where technology is headed next. She is passionate about applying these insights to help LIFT innovate, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate their mission-driven work.