Advocacy

Equity Diversity + Inclusion

In parallel, to running SHA Suzie is a passionate advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the architectural profession and construction industry.

She was the first woman to be elected President of the Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter in 2017. During her two-year term she was an outspoken advocate for the architectural profession on all forms of media lobbying for better procurement practices, design reform, community outcomes and gender equity.

A single mother of four when she started her practice in 2005 Suzie is an experienced architect with a non-linear career. She is aware of the challenges of juggling caring roles with professional demands and is a fierce and honest advocate.

In 2017 Suzie established the grass roots networking group #WorkWomenWisdom for women in architecture from her home. The #WorkWomenWisdom group continues to grow and has now expanded to include women in design. The relaxed gatherings have discussed Financial Literacy for Women, Mentoring and Coaching and Equity in the Workplace.

In 2019 she was invited to speak at the Transformations Conference in Melbourne discussing Grassroots Advocacy and in particular her work with #WorkWomenWisdom.

In 2021 Suzie was recognised for her advocacy work winning the prestigious national architectural award The Paula Whitman Prize for Leadership in Gender Equity for her advocacy work.

In 2022 Suzie was again recognised for her Advocacy work and enhancing the
public’s confidence and awareness of the roles of architects and
architecture, winning the prestigious 2022 Architects Board Award in the
ABWA 90th year.

Trusted Leader + Experienced Presenter 

Known for her down-to-earth approach and wide-ranging professional and life experiences, Suzie Hunt has a warm and engaging manner that manifests in the buildings and spaces she designs and as a presenter and a speaker.

Suzie is regularly invited to sit on panels discussing gender, quota’s, diversity, flexibility, disruption, harassment in work places, the environment and sustainability and working with an architect.

She has been interviewed on radio, television and podcasts and invited to speak to Rotary and Zonta clubs about architecture and gender equity in construction and presented to the timber industry about Biophilic Design.

In addition, Suzie has written a regular column in The Post Property News – The Architects Brief and for The West Australian newspaper.

In 2019 she was included in the Top 50 Most Influential People in Property In WA.

Suzie loves speaking to primary and secondary school students. She gives regular career guidance talks about studying architecture to Yr 10 high school students at MLC and mentors St Mary’s Yr 10 students in her office. In 2018 she gave the mid-year Concessional Speech “Inspiration” at Curtin University to Graduands.

For over 16 years Suzie has been a regular panellist on Community TV show Sweet and Sour not talking about architecture! In 2017 she was invited to be a presenter and judge on the MWC Productions Channel 10 Australia By Design [ABD] Architecture. Her role has expanded to include presenting on ABD Interiors and ABD Innovation series.

She would love to hear from you if you feel she is the right fit for your next event.