Leigh Bell is President of Cardiomyopathy Australia New Zealand (CMANZ), a patient-led not-for-profit providing support, information, advocacy and awareness for people and families affected by cardiomyopathy.

Diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a young child, Leigh’s experience of cardiac care began in 1978, aged four. Over five decades she has experienced open heart surgery, multiple ICDs, atrial fibrillation, ablations and cardioversions, and progression to end-stage heart failure. She received a heart transplant in 2021. She comes from a large family affected by genetic heart disease and has experience as a carer, as well as having lost close family members to heart failure, stroke and sudden cardiac arrest.

Leigh is immediate past Chair of the Global Heart Hub Cardiomyopathy Patient Council, which brings together 37 patient organisations across 19 countries. She contributes lived experience to national and international research, health system projects, steering committees and advisory boards, and is a member of the Her Heart Consumer Advisory Committee. She has a particular interest in ensuring women’s experiences and priorities are reflected in cardiovascular research and care.

In 2026, Leigh presented patient-led research at the CSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting exploring women’s experiences of living with cardiomyopathy, undertaken with Global Heart Hub as part of the Insights and Patient Experiences in CVD 2 project.

Before her heart transplant, Leigh worked in executive management in the mining and steel industries. She lives on the Sunshine Coast in QLD with her husband and two entitled spoodles.