The people behind the Design Victoria program bring together a broad range of skills and experience but have one thing in common – we value the contribution of design to the quality of our daily lives through the products and services we enjoy and use.
Our mission is to see more Victorian designers exporting and more Victorian businesses benefiting from the contribution design can provide whether it is increasing desirability of their products or services, developing new functional products and services, reducing costs, reducing environmental impact or successfully tackling other social issues.
We look forward to meeting you at one of our seminars or workshops or contact us.
Most of all we want to hear from you. What are the issues and obstacles you or your industry are facing? What is working for you? Please tell us what you think and ask questions. If we don’t have the answers we will put you in touch with the people who can help you.
Meet the RMIT Design Victoria Team
Michele Azzopardi
Director
Michele is responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of the Design Victoria Strategy through the leadership and management of the RMIT Design Victoria team to collaboratively deliver, implement and evaluate the strategy’s programs.
Michele brings over 20 years experience in the design sector, across government, tertiary education and cultural institutions and industry in Australia and internationally, as a senior project management and marketing professional. Prior to her appointment as Director of Design Victoria, Michele lead the delivery of the State of Design and Premier’s Design Awards in 2006. Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts, La Trobe University and a Master of Applied Science (Organisation Dynamics), RMIT University.
Contact Michele Azzopardi:
03 9925 4158
michele.azzopardi@designvic.com
Nichole Weinrich
Program Officer
As Program Officer, Nichole is responsible for the coordination and preparation of Design Victoria’s program evaluation and financial reports. Nichole also provides executive and operational support to the Director.
Nichole spent 10 years working as a designer, technician and administrator in the Australian performing arts and festival industry before joining Design Victoria.
Contact Nichole Weinrich:
03 9925 4135
nichole.weinrich@designvic.com
Gary Haywood
Manager, Design Ready
Gary is responsible for managing and implementing the Design Ready program of seminars, workshops and Business Immersions targeting SMEs and manufacturers in competitive Victorian industries and sectors.
Whilst qualified and practised in industrial design, Gary worked in technical sales and business development in the manufacturing sector for the 15 years before joining Design Victoria. Having worked across a wide range of industries from agricultural to automotive, Gary brings a passion to see the Victorian business sector experience the real commercial benefits that embracing design can offer.
Contact Gary Haywood:
03 9925 4145
gary.haywood@designvic.com
Anna Falk
Design Knowledge Coordinator
Anna provides support to the Design Knowledge and Design Ready programs, in particular the co-ordination and implementation of Business Immersion surveys and case studies.
With a keen interest in web development and emerging technologies, Anna is responsible for maintaining and further developing key features within the Design Victoria website.
Anna brings design and industry experience and perspectives to her role, having worked in a high-profile design studio, a retail / import company and most recently as Research Coordinator in a large Australian manufacturing firm. Anna completed a Bachelor of Design (Honours 1st Class) at the University of New South Wales and a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Editing and Communications) at the University of Melbourne.
Contact Anna Falk:
03 9925 4146
anna.falk@designvic.com
Katherine Mott
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Katherine supports our marketing and communications activities, promoting our activities and events, coordinating the Design Victoria enews and helping to build the reputation and profile of design within Victorian business.
Katherine has extensive knowledge of the design industry gained throughout her time at the Victorian government funded initiative lab.3000 – Centre of Excellence in Design and has expertise in marketing and communications, including web content and events management.
Contact Katherine Mott:
03 9925 4165
katherine.mott@designvic.com
Michelle Dall
Communications Coordinator
Michelle supports Design Victoria’s marketing and communications activities promoting the activities and events, assisting with media relations and building the reputation and profile of design within Victorian business. Michelle has a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) / Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing – Honours 1st class) from Monash University.
Michelle has broad experience having worked in a variety of editing, communication and project management roles within the health and beauty sectors and has a keen interest in Australian design.
Contact Michelle Dall:
03 9925 4071
michelle.dall@designvic.com
Kate Warren
Event Coordinator
Kate provides events and logistics support for the Design Ready program of seminars and workshops. She has extensive experience in the delivery of events ranging across diverse sectors including corporate, not for profit, sporting, exhibitions and conferences.
Through her role at Diversified Exhibitions Australia, Kate managed National Retail Forum, Australia's largest retail conference and co-ordinated a varied range of trade exhibitions including Retail Expo, Linux World Conference & Expo and Fine Food Queensland.
Kate holds a Bachelor Arts, Sports Administration, Victoria University.
Contact Kate Warren:
03 9925 4064
kate.warren@designvic.com
Bianca Vallentine
Business Ready Coordinator
As the Business Ready Coordinator, Bianca develops and implements programs for the Victorian design sector. Bianca works closely with practitioners and agencies to produce a range of seminars, workshops and special events that aim to develop the skills of Victorian design professionals to respond to and initiate new business opportunities in local and international markets.
Bianca has previously worked in a range of creative and design disciplines including architecture, design, fashion and the arts. As head designer of the fashion label The Vallentine Project she gained valuable practical experience within the fashion industry. Bianca also programmed the University of Western Australia’s built environment series run through Extension and worked on events for The New Trends of Architecture Symposium and the Designing Futures Program, run through the Perth cultural organisation, FORM.
Having completed a Bachelor of Arts, Fashion and Textile Design at Curtin University of Technology, she has continued her studies in the areas of Project Management and Small Business Management.
Contact Bianca Vallentine:
03 9925 4136
bianca.vallentine@designvic.com
David McLachlan
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant, David McLachlan, provides administrative and operational support to the Design Victoria team assisting and supporting the delivery of Business Ready and Design Ready events, supporting the marketing team and assisting in meeting the administrative needs of the program.
After finishing school, David worked at McDonalds for four years. During this time, he was promoted to crew trainer and awarded “Crew Member of the Month”. David brings to his Design Victoria role a strong customer service background and experience in both the retail and hospitality sectors.
David recently completed a Certificate III in Business Administration at RMIT University through a work-based traineeship provided by the 370 Degrees Group. He is looking forward to furthering his studies in a Certificate IV in Business Marketing.
Contact David McLachlan:
03 9925 4195
david.mclachlan@designvic.com