The Property Council’s Victorian executive director, Jennifer Cunich, has been announced as the new chief executive of the Australian Institute of Architects.
The AIA has been on the search for a new CEO since David Parken announced he would retire in July last year. After more than eight months, Ms Cunich has been announced as his successor, commencing on 16 May 2016 and to be based in Melbourne.
Ms Cunich has been with the Property Council for 20 years. She has been ED for Victoria since 2002 and before then was ED in the ACT.
She sits on a number of boards, including the Property Council Executive Committee, Women’s Property Initiatives Board, the Building Advisory Council and the Building Industry Consultative Council. She also spearheaded the PCA’s Women and Diversity Committee, which identifies leaders in the sector and promotes their contribution to the industry.
“I am thrilled to be appointed to this important role,” Ms Cunich said. “My time spent in the Australian property sector has shown me the enormous value of design in terms of buildings, precincts, communities and cities. “
She said becoming CEO of the AIA would provide an opportunity to “place the inspirational designs of our architects at the centre of a national conversation about innovation, creativity and problem-solving”.
Ms Munich was welcomed by AIA national president Jon Clements.
“The Institute is excited to welcome Jennifer to the role of CEO at this important time for the organisation during a period of reflection and renewal,” Mr Clements said.
“Jennifer has extensive industry knowledge and an interest in design as an agent for change in delivering a better built world. She is an exceptional and proven leader with the strength and vision to take the Institute and our profession into a new era.”
The CEO of the AIA needs to be first and foremost an Architect who has first hand experience of the varied business challenges of practitioners in order to help address those challenges.
I do not have anything against Ms. Cunich per se however perhaps her first duty should be to reduce AIA membership fees which are amongst the highest for any professional body. Perversely the members (practising Architects) are amongst the lowest paid professionals in the land.
Food for thought hey?