Chief Executive Officer
Through previous roles, Ben has gained a tremendous skill set in managing a diverse national organisation and gained an appreciation of the intersect between the natural, managed, and constructed environments. Issues around sustainability, nature deficit disorder, increasing population and climate change were at the forefront of Ben’s work and he looks forward to integrating these into his role as CEO of AILA.
AILA Events & Marketing Coordinator
Gemma graduated with a Bachelor of Tourism Management from the University of Canberra and has since accumulated over 14 years’ of experience in the not-for-profit sector, specifically in event management, marketing and partnership engagement. Beyond her professional endeavours, she is passionate about photography and runs a business that specialises in corporate event and family photography. She loves spending time with her young family and enjoys exploring the great outdoors.
AILA Events & Partners Manager
Georgina graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce and has over 12 years’ experience working in membership associations. Her past positions at the Taxation Institute of Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners saw her focus on member engagement, events, education, and sponsorship. Georgina grew up in the regional Queensland town of Mackay before relocating to Brisbane. She is a mum to two very happy, active little boys.
AILA IT & Data Manager
Coming from a background working in the Higher Education sector, freelance IT and new media design, Kaye brings expertise in IT and data management to AILA. She adores her family, and in no order whatsoever also loves; cats, books, and nerd-things. Kaye has a Bachelor of Creative Arts & Industries New Media Design (Web Development), Master of Information Technology, and Grad. Cert. in Data Science.
Executive Officer
Michela graduated from Torrens University with a master’s degree of Business Administration (MBA). Her 17 years career experience with extensive background in marketing, finance, IT, and business development offers AILA a range of skills to support the CEO, Committees, and the Board. Michela loves her family, cat, and chickens; she’s an avid gardener, dyi and crafts, motorbike rider and bushwalker.
AILA Finance and Admin Officer
Nicole studied Education at the University of Canberra and spent a number of years studying and working in Childcare before becoming a full-time mum to 3 children. Since joining AILA, Nicole is enjoying learning about Landscape Architecture. Nicole is an invaluable team member, providing support across various key business areas including administration, finance, and membership. She and her family love to go on walks and do puzzles together.
AILA Membership Administration Officer
Stella graduated with a Bachelor in Sociology. Having cultivated her education and experience in Canada, she is now calling Australia Home. She brings forth years of experience in client services in the Academic sector as well as Regulatory, this includes her most recent role working with the regulating body of Architecture in Ontario, Canada. She looks forward to applying her skills and interests, specifically to the field of Landscape Architecture. She is a mum of three beautiful children and loves spending time with her young family.
AILA Membership and Admin Coordinator
Tannelle has spent the past 9 years working in the not-for profit sector. She has enjoyed working in various departments at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, giving her experience with marketing and events, accreditation, membership and CPD. Tannelle has two cheeky little monkeys, and they spend their spare time exploring the outdoors together.
Communications Consultant
Rosie Halsmith is a communications and co-design consultant and a Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the UWA School of Design. Throughout her project experience, Rosie has gained a range of skills that have developed her understanding in both the implementation and communication of the design process, specialising in engagement, strategy, communications, and research. She is committed to projects that are grounded in a process of community and stakeholder engagement, ensuring sustainable outcomes that are directly aligned with user needs.
Chapter Manager NSW & ACT
Joanna started her studies at UNSW, then graduated from Macquarie University with a BA, then studied a post grad course in Event Management with UTS and a mini-MBA and project management with the Australian Institute of Management. Joanna spent the first ten years of her career in event management at the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall and London Convention and Exhibition Centre. Then the next twenty years in Association Executive roles, Membership, Marketing, Sponsorship and Events with Royal Randwick, Accountants, Veterinarians, Pharmacists and most recently Architects. Joanna has a teenage son and enjoys coastal walks and ocean swims on the northern beaches of Sydney.
NSW Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Georgiana graduated from USYD with a Bachelor in Japanese Language and has since worked in Japan teaching English, as well as having experience in office management, event coordination, and communications. Her most recent roles have been in the areas of events and partnership engagement, and she is enjoying applying these skills to the field of landscape architecture with AILA. In 2019, she is hoping to only improve on making the NSW event calendar bigger and better than 2018! She is a mum of 2 and enjoys spending time with her young family in Sydney.
Chapter Manager - QLD
Melanie is a customer-focused Manager with over 15 years' experience in non-profit organisations. She has extensive experience in management roles covering, Membership, Partnerships, Event Operations and Ticketing. Previous positions include Membership and Ticketing Manager at the Brisbane Lions, Firebirds Operations Manager at Netball Queensland, and Commercial Coordinator for AFL Northern Territory.
Chapter Manager - SA & NT
Sally completed a Bachelor of Architecture at The University of Adelaide. Her career has included practicing as an architect and also working to support the design professions in advocacy, professional development and member engagement roles, most recently at the Australian Institute of Architects in SA.
AILA VIC Chapter Manager
A landscape architecture graduate, for the past 25 years Verity has led and curated events, communities and conversations that build community and activate engagement with landscape architecture and contemporary built environment issues. She has extensive experience in non-profits and associations and is co-founder and Director of Australian Architects Declare. In her spare time she loves to garden, design gardens, and garden some more.
Projects and Communications Coordinator – VIC
Elizabeth Stancombe’s career commenced in public libraries where she spent 20 years progressing professionally through several roles including; memberships, serials, marketing and events coordinator and customer service manager. Elizabeth then transitioned to working with landscape architects, spending almost 10 years as office administrator, wearing several hats for a Melbourne based private landscape architecture practice. Elizabeth is passionate about environment and place making and is excited to bring her extensive experience to the AILA Vic role.
Chapter Manager - WA & TAS
Carmen has been a Marketing and Events Manager for over 20 years. She has a passion for Marketing and Development in the not-for-profit sector, she delivered the National Awards, competitions and prizes for the AIA for nearly 3 years and has worked at Cancer Council and Playgroup WA in Perth. She has a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Marketing and Tourism Management. She loves spending time outdoors with her young family and enjoys travelling both in Australia and overseas.