ARCHITECTURE - Key Persons


Alex Lopez

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, Queensland University of Technology

Alvin Zhu

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture University of New South Wales, New South Wales

Andrew Gregory

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, Monash University

BARRY WHITMORE

Job Titles:
  • Institute As Chief Financial Officer
Barry joined the Institute as Chief Financial Officer in January 2019 and was Interim CEO from November 2021 to April 2023. Barry brings to the Institute over 20 years' experience in the finance sector. Most recently, he was General Manager, Corporate Services at the Australian Psychological Society, the peak body for psychologists in Australia representing over 24,000 members. He has worked throughout Australia and the USA at an international financial consulting firm and as an accountant at a large communication company in the UK. Barry holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant, Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Christian Gelavis

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Notre Dame

Claudia McCarthy

Job Titles:
  • National Membership Services Manager

David McSorley

Job Titles:
  • National Education Project Officer

Dr Anna Svensdotter

Job Titles:
  • State Manager, Queensland

EMMA MOORE

Emma joined the Institute in January 2024 in the role of General Manager Chapters. With more than two decades of hands-on experience in steering HR and Operations functions, Emma joins us from her most recent role as GM Operations at Relationships Australia. Emma has a wealth of experience in leading teams and fostering positive work environments with team members, focussed on sustainable business practices and the achievement of programs and activities which support client and member needs. Based in our Sydney office, Emma holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Newcastle and has worked across various sectors in the for profit and not for profit organisations, including EDAW AECOM Urban Design and Landscape Architecture.

Esthelle Jones

Job Titles:
  • People and Culture Officer

Eve Fetherstonhaugh

I have found that the built environment is an area that is constantly evolving as attitudes towards construction, sustainability and even aesthetics changes with our culture and government regulations. Having a place where students can be connected, learn about the current events in the built environment and have the resources to begin their careers on a strong footing is integral. Through a role as a SONA representative I would aim to engage more students from my university and ensure that they are aware of the opportunities that a SONA membership can provide.

James Kennedy - CCO

Job Titles:
  • Head of Communications

James Smith

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of South Australia

Jane Cassidy

Job Titles:
  • Board Director
  • Director of GHD Design Pty Ltd
  • Director on the Board of GHDWoodhead Architecture Pty Ltd
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Jane Cassidy is a Board Director and the National President Elect for the Australian Institute of Architects and is a strong advocate for design quality, technical excellence and integration of sustainable strategies on the path to net zero and beyond. Jane is a Director of GHD Design Pty Ltd one of the largest architecture practices in Australasia (#1 World Architecture 100), operating within GHD's large multidisciplinary architecture, urban design, engineering, project management, digital and advisory practice. With over 25 years specialist experience in public architecture including education, healthcare, and cultural institutions, and with experience from small, medium and large practice, bringing a business of architecture perspective including a deep understanding of the drivers of investment across the built environment. She leads projects from the micro to macro scale with a focus on effective and inclusive stakeholder engagement as well as environmentally, culturally, economically and socially sustainable architecture. Jane is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, bringing ten years experience in tertiary education in the built environment and is a member of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia standing panel.

Jane Cassidy FRAIA

Job Titles:
  • National PRESIDENT ELECT & Board Director
Jane is a Director on the Board of GHDWoodhead Architecture Pty Ltd, with over 25 years specialist experience in education, Defence, healthcare, and cultural institutions.

Jenny Woodward

Job Titles:
  • Interim Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan Speer

Job Titles:
  • State Manager, Western Australia

Julian Bracamonte

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture University of Technology, Sydney

Julian Crawford

Job Titles:
  • Independent Director
  • Founder of EcoSTEPS
Julian Crawford is the founder of EcoSTEPS, a sustainability strategy consultancy and a principal of the CFO Centre. Julian is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (FCA-CAANZ) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD). As a director of EcoSTEPS and the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, Julian is a leading advisor in the areas of ESG, sustainability strategy and reporting and climate change. As a Director with EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services, he was the inaugural CEO of the Australian Supply Chain Sustainability School providing sustainability thinking and practices to the built environment sector. Julian is a past President of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) with its global Sustainability Certification program. Julian has a science and business background with a Master in Zoology from Oxford University, England and began his career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, working internationally in London, Brussels and then Sydney.

Kate Concannon

Job Titles:
  • Education Program Lead

Kathryn Neale

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture University of Western Australia, Western Australia

Ken Young

Job Titles:
  • National Property and Procurement Manager

Lara Damelian

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture ( Urban Transformation ), Bond University

LEANNE HARDWICKE

Job Titles:
  • Board Member of the Australian Construction Industry Forum
Leanne is the Institute's General Manager Policy, Advocacy and Education, leading the organisation's public policy, research, advocacy and education efforts to promote the value of the architecture profession. Leanne commenced in this role in March 2019 after joining the Institute in October 2015. Having worked for over 22 years in the built environment sector, Leanne brings to the role a comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges facing the profession. She worked for 18 years at Engineers Australia, 14 of them as National and International Policy Executive Director. Prior to this, Leanne worked in a variety of roles with the Queensland Government, both within the Parliamentary Counsel's Office and the Department of Public Works and Housing. Leanne has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Canberra. Leanne is a Board member of the Australian Construction Industry Forum.

Libby Clough

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Western Australia

Lisa King

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director NSW Chapter

LISA MOORE FRAIA

Job Titles:
  • NATIONAL COUNCIL DIRECTOR
Lisa has been the Director of And Architecture since 2007 and more recently is involved in the emerging field of Design Governance at Sunshine Coast Council.

Lucy Stefanivoc

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Queensland

Maitri Gohel

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, Queensland University of Technology

Mandisa Sarker

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, RMIT

Mark Brown

Job Titles:
  • National Manager People and Culture

Mark Godley

Job Titles:
  • NSW Chapter Staff Member
  • Office Coordinator / Member Services Officer

Megha Patel

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Western Australia

MICHAEL LINKE

Michael joined the Institute in July 2018, bringing extensive experience in membership organisations. In his role, Michael is responsible for the engagement and growth of the Institute's 14,500 member base and the strategic engagement with our major commercial partners. Prior to joining the Institute, Michael worked at the Institute of Public Accountants in Melbourne as Executive General Manager of Membership Services. Before that, he spent fifteen years working overseas, where he was based in London and New York in senior leadership roles at a number of global organisations including Deloitte, JPMorgan and the Washington Post. Michael is an Educational Advisory Board Member at Open Colleges, an Advisory Board Member at the Victorian Skills Commission and an Academic Board Member at Holmesglen Institute. Michael has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Business Administration from Coventry University's London Business School (UK).

Mikael Kristenson

Job Titles:
  • Photographer

Mira Mitrasevic

Job Titles:
  • National Finance Manager

Mr Peter Fry

Job Titles:
  • NSW Chapter Staff Member
  • Awards and Prizes Manager

Ms Ellie Pringle

Job Titles:
  • NSW Chapter Staff Member
  • Events Lead

Nhi Trinh

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of South Australia

Nicole Mesquita-Mendes

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture Bond University, Queensland

Nicolette Di Lernia

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director, South Australia

Nina Mapson Bone - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
  • Executive
  • Independent Director
  • Non - Executive Director
Nina Mapson Bone is an experienced chair, non-executive director and executive leader with twenty years of specialised experience in the people and staffing industry. Nina served as the managing director of Beaumont People, a privately owned and nationally recognised recruitment business, utilising her specialist knowledge in HR systems, recruitment, culture and change management, and leadership.

Olivia Wade

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Notre - Dame

Rebecca Andre

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Melbourne

Reem Daou

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture University of South Australia, South Australia

Samuel Otten

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture / University of Technology Sydney

Samuel Ottoman

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney

Sandy Wannous

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture Western Sydney University, New South Wales

Shannon Battisson

Job Titles:
  • Founding Director of the Award Winning Multidisciplinary Studio the Mill
Shannon is founding director of the award winning multidisciplinary studio The Mill: Architecture + Design. With more than 20 years experience designing climate responsive architecture, Shannon has projects across Australia, Hong Kong, and the US. Shannon is a dedicated believer in the sanctity of home, and a committed advocate for the basic human right to shelter for all. Working within the profession, government and the wider public, Shannon advocates for increased quality in the built fabric of our towns and cities through the use architects across all levels of the built environment.

Shirley Chowdhary - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board
  • Independent Director
Shirley is an internationally experienced Board and Executive contributor with a diverse set of credentials, committed to making effective systems change.

SONA Vice - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • PRESIDENT COMPETITIONS and EVENTS
  • PRESIDENT COMPETITIONS and EVENTS CANDIDATES
  • PRESIDENT for Advocacy
  • President for COMMUNITY
  • President for Professional Development
  • PRESIDENT MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
  • PRESIDENT MEMBER ENGAGEMENT CANDIDATE
As president elect, I promise to dedicate myself to fulfilling SONA's/The Institute's vision, mission and goals that supports all built environment and architecture students by continuing and building upon the hard work of past/current executive members and representatives. Since I joined SONA in 2019, I've strongly understood the value that the organisation brings to all its members and non-members in areas of: advocacy, community and professional development. I plan to use my experience over the years to strengthen the current strategies to maintain the benefits that SONA provides to all students. As well as develop new approaches so that SONA continues to grow and adapt to the exciting and unknown future that is ahead of us in the built environment (from growing climate concerns, changes to built environment/architecture education and creation of advanced technology).

Stephanie Kennedy

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture, University of New South Wales

Stuart Tanner FRAIA

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Institute
  • Member of the Tasmanian
  • National President & Board Director
Stuart practices as a Director of Tanner Architects, with a strong focus on design integrity and sustainability. Based in Hobart, Stuart has practiced as an architect in his own firm for the last 22 years, with a strong focus on design integrity and sustainability. Tanner Architects is recognised nationally and internationally, through awards and publications. Stuart has been a member of the Institute since 1993 and an active participant on various Tasmanian Chapter committees from 2002, namely the Awards Committee, Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee and more recently Chairman of the Practice Committee, prior to undertaking the role of Tasmanian Chapter President. His key areas of interest include advocacy of quality design outcomes for our public buildings and infrastructure, improving design literacy in society, climate change and land use, equality in our society, First Nations inclusion in land use strategy, and responsibility toward our impact on the Australian environment. Stuart is an active member of the Tasmanian community, including contributing to previous Boards and committees advocating for design leadership in all levels of Government.

Tamara Smith

Job Titles:
  • National Partnerships Manager

Thomas Huntingford

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture University of Melbourne, Victoria

Tiffany Liew RAIA

Job Titles:
  • Associate of Sydney Based
  • National Council Director
Tiffany is an Associate of Sydney Based firm Architecture AND. Tiffany has also served as the National EmAGN President for the 2022-2023 term. Tiffany is passionate about enthusing the emerging generation of architects to

Welcome Blake Hillebrand

Job Titles:
  • Master of Architecture Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
  • SONA President
The Australian Institute of Architects is delighted to welcome Blake Hillebrand into the role of SONA President.