Women's Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) is all about reshaping Australia’s environmental leadership by building a network of changemakers who drive impactful, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to our environmental challenges.

WELA is Australia’s fastest-growing community dedicated to empowering women and gender-diverse leaders in environmental and climate sectors. Since 2016, WELA has connected, trained, and supported hundreds of leaders across Australia. Its mission is to transform environmental leadership, centering diverse voices and equipping women and gender-diverse changemakers with the tools and support they need to lead critical climate and environmental action.

Jessica Bell, Communications Manager at WELA, sits down with Architecture & Design’s Digital Editor Clémence Carayol to talk about how WELA is making a difference for women in numerous fields, including the architecture and design industry.

Architecture & Design: How does Women's Environmental Leadership Australia engage with the fields of architecture and design?

Jess Bell: WELA’s leadership programs are specifically designed for women and gender diverse individuals actively working (paid or unpaid) for our climate and environment. These programs are intentionally cross-sectoral, welcoming participants from grassroots communities, NGOs, government at all levels, creatives, academics, small business owners and those in large corporations.

By connecting changemakers across all sectors in environmental fields, we foster a community where interdisciplinary ideas and practices contribute to sustainability across all industries.

Graduates from WELA programs have gone on to champion projects that impact urban spaces, biodiversity, and community planning. Some WELA alumni are actively involved in local councils or environmental boards, where their influence can shape policy decisions around sustainable development, urban planning, and design that align with environmental goals.

What specific initiatives or projects has the organisation been involved in that intersect with sustainable architecture?

Let’s take an example, the one of Valerie Saavedra Lux, one of our WELA program alumni, trained as an Architect and has a profound commitment to sustainability and regenerative design.

She views the built environment as a powerful catalyst for creating a thriving future that is equitable, culturally vibrant, connected to place and ecologically regenerative.

In her role as the Regenerative Practice Lead at BVN Architects, Valerie brings her vision to life. She also shares her expertise as a Casual Academic at Sydney University and contributes to the national dialogue on sustainability as a National Steering Group Member of the charity ‘Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency.’

Valerie's mission is to ensure that every design decision enhances our world, every project gives back more than it takes, and that everyone involved in the process becomes a changemaker. To achieve this, she focuses on three main pillars:

● Education: Valerie is dedicated to building capability within fellow architects, clients, consultants, and university students, emphasising the importance and application of regenerative design in the built environment. She believes education is the first step towards meaningful change.

● Design: She integrates regenerative design principles into projects from the outset, ensuring that each project reaches its full potential. Her contributions range from circular interior fitouts and self-sufficient schools that serve as models of sustainability, to urban masterplans designed to be climate - and nature-positive.

● Advocacy: She believes in the importance of leading our industry towards a regenerative future through active engagement in movements such as ‘Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Crisis.’ With a core group of other Architects Declare members, she co-created ‘Product Aware,’ an advocacy tool that standardises sustainability criteria for products, as well as a sustainable product database that helps designers make responsible choices.

Valerie’s journey shows how WELA supports women and gender-diverse people to create meaningful change and champion sustainability in their industries. Through our programs, we help leaders like Valerie gain the skills, connections, and confidence to drive positive impact, shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.

How does Women's Environmental Leadership Australia support women in the architecture and design industries?

WELA supports women and gender-diverse individuals in architecture and design by equipping them with the skills and networks to drive environmental change. Our programs combine leadership development, mentorship, and networking to help participants bring sustainable practices into their work, while also addressing systemic barriers to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) and promoting First Nations leadership.

WELA’s curriculum includes modules on culture change within organisations, creative problem-solving, and using art and creative practices to enhance projects and campaigns. Participants learn strategies to influence change from within, gaining skills to navigate systems and advocate for sustainability in impactful ways. Training in cultural intelligence further enhances diversity in the architecture and design industries, fostering innovative, inclusive outcomes.

Since 2016, WELA’s programs have engaged thousands of women and gender-diverse leaders, including over 350 alumni and over 100 First Nations and CALD participants. By uniting leaders from over 140 organisations, WELA is shaping the future of environmental leadership across Australia’s industries.

What challenges do women in the architecture and design sectors face, and how does your organisation help address these issues?

Women and gender-diverse people encounter challenges in the workplace across all sectors such as limited access to leadership roles, lack of mentorship, and gender disparities in decision-making roles. WELA addresses these issues by offering a network of support, skill-building opportunities, and mentorship, creating a supportive environment where women feel empowered to overcome industry barriers and lead sustainability initiatives in their professions.

Through our new policy, advocacy and research program, we’re identifying how environmental and climate crises are impacting Australian women; highlighting the opportunities created by women-led solutions; and developing policy and investment recommendations for action.

In May 2024 we launched a significant new report: ‘Gender, Climate and Environmental Justice in Australia’, applying a much-needed intersectional gender lens to environmental and climate challenges and solutions. We are now establishing and leading a growing network of stakeholders to influence Australian policy makers and investors, ensuring that the experiences and leadership of women are central to creating inclusive climate and environmental policies that benefit all.

How can individuals or organisations get involved with your work to promote environmental leadership in architecture?

Today, there’s a powerful momentum behind compassionate, inclusive, and intersectional leadership—one that champions deep collaboration, active listening, and dismantling of outdated systems. This new wave of leadership is critical for delivering the environmental solutions our communities and planet urgently need.

You can get involved by:

● Joining our Giving Circle – Be part of transforming the funding landscape for women-led environmental initiatives by supporting impactful projects across the country.

● Staying connected – Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about our programs, events, and the latest updates from our community.

● Engaging with us online – Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, and join our Slack community to connect, celebrate, and share inspiring stories of change.

● Exploring our leadership programs – Take part in our leadership programs designed for those who want to deepen their impact and drive sustainable transformation in the architecture and environmental sectors.

Image: Stories of change by K. Holmes/supplied

Clémence Carayol

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