Our Staff
Our Staff
Striving to optimise member value in all we do, your Institute is supported by a dedicated staff managing operational, business and program activities at regional, metro, national and international levels.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JULIA CAMBAGE
Julia brings with her over 20 years’ experience as a CEO and joined the Institute as Chief Executive Officer in February 2019. In this role, Julia is responsible for leading the Institute through a period of significant strategic, digital and organisational transformation.
Before joining the Institute, Julia was CEO at TRY Australia, an innovative youth charity and mentoring organisation employing over 400 staff and 200 volunteers across Australia with a $30 million turnover. During her six-year tenure, Julia was instrumental in launching a range of sustainable enterprises including TRY Uncontained, a progressive social business converting shipping containers into affordable, small footprint housing whilst providing training and meaningful employment opportunities for young people. The initiative was recently recognised at the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh as a ‘true gamechanger’.
Julia has previously held top level positions at national not-for-profits Procurement Australia and Family Business Australia, developing and implementing sustainable programs to achieve strategic growth. Her entrepreneurial nature coupled with extensive experience and commercial acumen helps the Institute navigate a period of significant change.
In 2018, Julia participated in the Harvard Business School program, specialising in performance measurement for the effective management of not-for-profit organisations.
General Manager, Communications, Marketing & National Events
Mike Adlam
Mike joined the Institute as National Marketing & Communications Manager in December 2019, before becoming GM Marketing Communications, Events and Awards in March 2020.
In this role, Mike is responsible for the Institute’s Brand, Communications, Events and Awards strategy and programs.
Mike brings to the Institute over 30 years’ experience in brand, communications and marketing management. Most recently, he was Brand Strategist with Australia Post and prior to this, EGM Brand and Communications at CPA Australia, the peak body for accounting in Australia representing over 120,000 members.
He has worked throughout Australia with leading consumer brands including Telstra, Westpac, ANZ, AXA Australia, AAMI and UniSuper while also working in consulting and agency roles with International advertising firms.
Mike holds a Masters in Marketing from Monash University. He lives with his family in regional Victoria (Torquay) and is an avid surfer, bushwalker, cyclist and painter.
GENERAL MANAGER, POLICY, ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION
LEANNE HARDWICKE
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.
General Manager, Strategic Innovation & Enterprise
Alexia Lidas
Working across all sectors within the built environment Alexia has built a strong reputation as an individual who is able to navigate the legislative, contractual, operational and strategic issues in the market.
Understanding and navigating the nuances of both the marketplace, and the individuals within the marketplace, she is able to speak the many languages across the Architectural, Engineering and Construction community, connecting the dots and negotiating solutions for a broad range of complex issues across the industry.
With extensive experience managing all facets of membership associations, she is able to strategically lead within an organisation, drawing upon the strengths of employees and members to execute day to day activities.
A passionate advocate, collaborator, mentor and strategist, who enjoys connecting industry with ideas, and for this reason she is a regular contributor and trusted advisor to industry forums. A published writer, public speaker and an experienced non-executive board member.
As General Manager of Strategic Innovation & Enterprise at the Australian Institute of Architects Alexia anticipates the long-term value demanded by Institute stakeholders and generates ideas for adaptive models to deliver this future value.
GENERAL MANAGER, MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
MICHAEL LINKE
Michael joined the Institute in July 2018 in the role of General Manager – Membership Services, bringing extensive experience in membership organisations. In this role, Michael is responsible for strategic engagement with members through the delivery of practical and relevant tools and services. Michael leads the Membership; Education and CPD; Events, Awards and Prizes; Corporate Partnerships and Marketing and Communications business units.
Prior to joining the Institute, Michael worked at the Institute of Public Accountants in Melbourne as Executive General Manager of Membership Services. Before this, he spent fifteen years overseas, where he was based in London and New York in senior leadership roles at 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).
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
BARRY WHITMORE
Barry joined the Institute as Chief Financial Officer in January 2019.
In this role, Barry is responsible for the Institute’s Finance, Property and Procurement functions.
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.
National Staff
National Managers:
National Project Manager – Caroline Baxter
National Technology Manager – David Boyes
National Events Manager – Lisa Cram
National Manager – People and Culture – Kelly Flahavin
National CPD Manager – Johanna Gasser
National Education Manager – Kate Moore
National Membership Services Manager – Claudia McCarthy
National Finance Manager – Mira Mitrasevic
National Property and Procurement Manager – Samantha Moon
National Partnerships Manager – Stacey Rodda
Chapter Managers/Executive Directors:
Executive Director, ACT – Liz Lang
State Manager, NSW – Kate Concannon
Executive Director, NT – Raquel Nicholls-Skene
State Manager, Queensland – Alice-Anne McRobbie
Executive Director, SA – Nicolette Di Lernia
Executive Director, Tasmania – Jennifer Nichols
State Manager, Victoria – Tim Leslie
State Manager, WA – Beata Davey