Australian Institute of Architects welcomes new CEO, Julia Cambage

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the appointment of Julia Cambage to the position of chief executive officer for the architecture profession’s peak body.

Cambage (pictured below) joins the Institute, which represents more than 11,000 members in Australia and overseas, with over 20 years of CEO experience.

She was most recently CEO for TRY Australia – a youth charity and mentoring organisation employing over 400 staff and 200 volunteers across Australia with a $30 million turnover.

National President, Clare Cousins said the Institute is firmly in an "era of transformation".

"Ms Cambage’s entrepreneurial nature coupled with extensive experience and commercial acumen provide the perfect fit for the organisation and the profession as we continue on this exciting trajectory," said Cousins.

Cambage 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.

During her six-year tenure as CEO at TRY Australia, Cambage was instrumental in the development and implementation of a range of sustainable enterprises including TRY Uncontained, a progressive social business converting shipping containers into affordable, small footprint housing.

The program was supported by property maintenance, furniture production and labour hire, providing training and employment.

That initiative specifically was recently recognised at the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh as a true game changer.

Cambage commences on next Monday.

She will be based at the Institute’s Melbourne offices at 41 Exhibition Street.