The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) has announced the appointment of its new CEO; architect Pru Sanderson will take the role officially from the 29th September.

Sanderson is a former CEO of VicUrban and Monash Property Management and a current Director of Parks Victoria, Associate of the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute and Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.


She has a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from Melbourne University and has held senior roles with GHD.

James Harper FDIA, National President of the DIA, formally announced the appointment and said in a statement that the selection process was exhaustive but successful.

From the DIA:

‘After an exhaustive process involving 160 applications, a shortlist of 10 exceptional candidates and participation by the entire DIA Executive Committee, we are confident that Pru has the expertise, personality and drive to lead the Institute into the next stage of its evolution,’ said Mr Harper today.

‘Pru will join the DIA on 29th September 2014 and after a handover period assume the reins of the Institute from General Manager Phillippa Rowland, who will step aside from her role at the end of the year.


‘I am particularly grateful to DIA National President-Elect Julie Hobbs and DIA National Silver Corporate Partner Bespoke Careers for their assistance in the recruitment process.

‘I look forward to welcoming Pru to the Institute and trust that many of you will have the pleasure of meeting her in due course.’

Following the announcement of her new role, Ms Sanderson said that she looked forward to working with Australia's design community ‘to enhance our reputation as a design-savvy country.’ 

‘Good design enriches all of our lives with products and services that work commercially, culturally and have beauty,’ she said.

‘Australia has a great depth of professional designers, across all fields, that rivals the best in the world.  

‘The Design Institute of Australia is their national voice, bringing practitioners together as a design community and connecting them with sectors that benefit from their skills and perspectives.'