As an Architect and researcher, Dr Agustin Chevez has dedicated his career to understanding the notion of work and uncovering environments that best support our working lives.

Agustin’s interest in the relationship between people, space and technology saw him pursue a PhD on the evolution of workplace architecture as a consequence of technology development. His work has been presented at various international forums and publications.

As a sought-after speaker, Agustin has delivered international keynotes and is a TEDx speaker. He has also contributed to workplace strategies in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. In his latest publication, The Pilgrim’s Guide to the Workplace, Agustin revisits our assumptions about the way we use space to host the ever-evolving notion of work.

Agustin is the Workplace Research Lead at the Centre for the New Workforce at Swinburne University and an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Workplace Leadership at the University of Melbourne.

Ingrid has worked in architecture and interior design for more than 25 years and for more than half that time she’s been helping turn Hassell into the competitive, international design practice it is today.

Ingrid has led teams on a large variety of workplace, residential, hospitality, retail and commercial projects and is highly experienced in project delivery, resource and consultant coordination, and client liaison.

Ingrid is a vocal advocate for gender balance in design. She is currently CoChair of the Awards Committee at the Australian Institute of Architects and in 2022 was admitted as a Life Fellow in their Victorian Honours.

She is the Chair of Deakin University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment Advisory Board and a guest lecturer at RMIT and UQ universities. She sits on the Property Council of Australia’s 2023- 2024 Division Council and is Chair of their Commercial Office Committee.

James is a practitioner, facilitator, author and part-time educator interested in all facets of the strategy, design and use of the learning and workplace environment.

He has extensive experience in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific with the world’s preeminent organisations across many education types and most business sectors.

His work at the highest levels of leadership gives him a unique perspective on the opportunities for the future workplace of users, organisations and suppliers, and in the issues associated with the planning and design of space and amenity.

After over a decade of practising architecture and engineering in Australia and abroad, he has directly felt the effects of the industry's reliance on the Australian economy.

Throughout his career, he, like many architects, had to deal with employment instability and project uncertainty. In 2020 amidst the COVID19 pandemic, Kevin co-founded CO-architecture as a sustainable way to manage and find work in architecture.

Architecture professionals and businesses can connect and grow more efficiently, sustainably, and equitably. After their formal beta launch in June 2021 CO-architecture has seen over 2500 users sign up, Kevin intends to disrupt the recruitment model with a fresh emphasis on benefits equity and providing sustainable, flexible working opportunities.

In addition to his passion for supporting design professionals and creative industries, Kevin's PhD research is focused on examining the interface between technology and the built environment to explore space users’ specific needs, specifically the wellbeing of users in the workplace.

Monique Woodward co-founded the award-winning practice, WOWOWA Architecture, in 2010. Now with studios in both Melbourne & Perth, WOWOWA is passionate about architecture both residential and public projects being collaborative, inclusive, grounded in community, and imbued with whimsy and delight - aiming to deliver a sense of wonder and the JOY which can be found in ‘coming home’.

Monique is an Australian Institute of Architects National Emerging Architect Prize winner and was co-creative director of the Institute’s 2019 1000+ delegation National Conference ‘Collective Agency’.

Monique was recently elected to the National Council of the Australian Institute of Architects and sat on the Victorian Chapter Council since 2016. She has mentored within the Constructive Mentoring program, sat on multiple State & National Awards Juries, and taught at both RMIT and Monash Universities.

Monique is a well-respected industry thought leader who brings tremendous enthusiasm to the promotion and democratisation of architecture. She expresses a naturally empathetic and engaged leadership style, underpinned by a strong sense of purpose, a commitment to excellence, transparency, equality, and a sense of national identity and comradery which draws its influence from the resourceful, irreverent, “larrikin” Australian sprit.

WOWOWA is a BCorp Certified company that accredits those reaching the highest global standards of social and environmental sustainability. Monique is a mum and couldn’t be more passionate about enabling the next generation of design thinkers.

Tim embraces challenge, creativity, and problem solving – it’s what he loves about life and enjoys about the design industry.

As a former General Manager / Business Director of multiple design agencies, he relishes the opportunity to get to the heart of a practice’s operation, uncover problems and develop strategies to help solve them.

Developing a deep understanding of the business is key to this kind of professional support and to ensuring projects and tactics are implemented and results delivered.

With a background in the creative industries and client services, and over 15 years delivering brand experiences through brand strategy, design, marketing communications and building successful relationships, Tim takes a holistic and strategic view of the business and its operations.

Blake Hillebrand is the current National SONA Vice-President and sits on the International Chapter Council.

He works for BayleyWard and is a master's student at RMIT University. He was awarded the 2023 National Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture for his breadth of initiatives that have enabled social engagement and connection for architecture students across Victoria in the wake of the pandemic.