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
Andrew Park
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Andrew is responsible for the strategic development and management of Design Victoria’s marketing and communications activities, developing and managing media relations. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Monash University.
Andrew has worked in a variety of marketing and communication, business development and sponsorship positions within various organisations including medical research not-for-profits and contracting to government to develop and implement behavioural change pilot programs that bring government, business and social sectors together for positive outcomes.
Contact Andrew Park:
03 9925 4192
andrew.park@designvic.com
Kara Macleod
Manager, Business Ready
Kara is responsible for managing and implementing the Business Ready program of seminars and workshops targeting Victorian designers and design firms to increase the design sector’s business and export capability.
Kara has broad experience in business and education that has been combined with current expertises in program management. Kara has completed a Bachelor of Business / Arts at Swinburne University, and is currently undertaking further studies in textile design at RMIT University.
Contact Kara Macleod:
03 9925 4136
kara.macleod@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
Jennifer Gray
Manager, Events
Jennifer is responsible for managing and delivering Design Victoria’s program of seminars, workshops and other events adding her own creativity and insight to ensure events are enjoyable, stimulating and run smoothly.
Jennifer has extensive experience in the events industry in Australia and in London. Jennifer has managed and coordinated over 250 events reaching over 20,000 participants including the development of the high profile Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Retail Program 2007.
Contact Jennifer Gray:
03 9925 4169
jennifer.grey@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
Jayde Meech
Events Coordinator
Jayde provides operational support for the effective delivery of Design Victoria’s events with key expertise in international event logistics and promotion. Jayde was a key member of the organising events team for the Doha Asian Games Torch Relay 2006, based in Qatar successfully delivering the ‘Flame’ to 15 participating countries.
Jayde has recently returned from London where she was an events contractor coordinating time critical events across the UK and Europe.
Contact Jayde Meech:
03 9925 4064
jayde.meech@designvic.com
David McLachlan
Events Trainee
David McLachlan is an Events Trainee providing important administrative and operational support to the events team. After recently finishing school, David has been working for the past three years at McDonalds, was promoted to crew trainer and awarded “Crew Member of the Month”. David has further retail experience at Bunning’s Warehouse having completed work experience as part of his school curriculum. David is currently studying a Certificate III in Business Administration at RMIT University and is completing a traineeship through the 370 Degrees Group.
Contact David McLachlan:
03 9925 4064
david.mclachlan@designvic.com