Meet GroupGSA’s first Associate Principals

GroupGSA has elevated two of its senior design leaders, Noura Thaha and Jessica Margiotta, to the newly formed role of Associate Principal.

“We’re delighted to announce Noura and Jessica’s promotions as our first Associate Principals,” GroupGSA Director Lisa-Maree Carrigan says. 

“Their elevation marks an exciting next chapter for GroupGSA – one that recognises the extraordinary design talent and leadership within our studios, and our commitment to fostering long-term career growth while delivering outstanding design solutions for our clients.”

Noura Thaha is a strategic and results-driven architectural leader with more than 17 years of experience delivering complex, large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across the multi-residential, commercial, mixed-use and senior living sectors. She currently leads several high-profile urban renewal, mixed-use and social housing projects at GroupGSA.

These include Billbergia’s mixed-tenure residential and social housing development on Eden Street, Arncliffe – comprising 806 apartments – and Homes NSW’s Cowper Street redevelopment in Glebe, one of the state’s first and largest Class 2 cross-laminated timber (CLT) social and affordable apartment buildings, scheduled for completion in July 2025. 

Jessica Margiotta, a highly accomplished interior designer with 15 years of experience in the Workplace and Learning sector, is known for her considered design approach and strong leadership in delivering complex, large-scale projects.

She has led award-winning transformations of commercial workplaces and building repositioning projects, with recent work including the fitouts for The Executive Centre at Grosvenor Place and Betashares’ Sydney headquarters.

The announcement follows GroupGSA’s recent recognition by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for achieving the lowest gender pay gap among reporting Australian architecture firms for the second consecutive year. 

The firm reduced its gender pay gap from 5.6% in 2022–2023 to a median of -0.6% in 2023–2024 – significantly outperforming the industry median of 15.4%.

The new Associate Principal position was introduced as part of a broader leadership restructure to provide greater internal growth opportunities and celebrate emerging leaders within the practice.

GroupGSA Director of People, Culture and Practice Nancy Piazzolla says the firm’s longstanding commitment to equity and diversity underpinned its inclusive workplace culture.

“For 10 years, we’ve tracked and maintained gender equity, not as a target, but as a mindset,” Piazzolla says. 

“At GroupGSA, equity happens organically through fair hiring, promotion and leadership opportunities. The women of GroupGSA are shaping the future – leading major projects, coaching talent and driving design excellence.”

Image:  Jessica Lindsay