Meet the 2025 Cohort

“The Passivhaus Incubator is about fostering a mindset shift, catalysing conversations, igniting passion, and driving tangible progress towards a more sustainable future. Together, let us seize this opportunity to redefine the future of the built environment and leave a legacy for generations to come.”

Alexia Lidas,

CEO

Where are our participants located?

Din Pla Hongsa

Housing Manager, Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn, ACT
Hyojung Kim

Project Officer, ACTPS, ACT
Philippa Randles

Senior Project Manager, Infrastructure Canberra, ACT Government, ACT
Bronwyn Englaro

Senior Sustainability Officer, Randwick City Council, NSW
Bruno Deans

Development Manager, Scape Australia, NSW
Carlos Garcia

Technical Consultant, HOMAG, NSW
Chris Cusack

Director, Urban Revolutions, NSW
Digby Harlow

Assistant Development Manager, Scape Australia, NSW
Lisa James

Sustainability Manager, Design, Mirvac, NSW
Luke Sykes

Senior Consultant, Decarbonise Australia, NSW
Marius Meyer

Design & Development Manager, City West Housing, NSW
Niko Stacher

Senior Manager, Sustainability APAC, Hilton, NSW
Nina Parsons

Development Manager, Scape Australia, NSW
Sean Sun

Brief and Design Officer, Charles Sturt University, NSW
Theo Posumah

Director Assets, Bridge Housing, NSW
Yolanda Butler

Strategy and Project Management - Net Zero Housing, ING, NSW
Yvonne Ho

ESG Manager, CBRE, NSW
Ashfaque Chowdhury

Senior Lecturer – MCH Engineering, Central Queensland University, QLD
Hashem Taher

Climate Change Officer, Gladstone Regional Council, QLD
Mason Asadi

ESG Manager, CBRE, QLD
Peter McCann

Executive Manager NQ, Regional Housing Limited, QLD
Chris Went

Head of Construction Operations, Renewal SA, SA
Ellie Gladman

Project Officer, Asset Sustainability, Department for Education, SA
Julio Stefanoni

Project Coordinator - Asset Sustainability, Department for Education, SA
Lara Daddow

Coordinator of Strategic Sustainability, City of Salisbury, SA
Les Moore

Director, Les Moore Projects, SA
Willam Morris

Project Officer, Architecture, City of Onkaparinga, SA
Andrew Cronin

Policy and Technical Manager, Master Builders Association of SA, SA
Tracy Fulton

Senior Sustainability Advisor, City of Onkaparinga, SA
Freya Su

Air Tightness Tester, Building Scientist, Snug House, TAS
Jaime Parsons

Principal Advisor Urban Design, City of Hobart, TAS
Ali Hart

Senior Project Manager, Homes Victoria, VIC
Azadeh Taghvaie

PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne, VIC
Badru Ahmed

Project Manager, Homes Victoria - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, VIC
Dilshi Dharmarathna

PhD Candidate/ Researcher/ Teaching Associate, Monash University, VIC
Evie Davey

Policy Officer, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, VIC
Harley Vincent

Principal Architect, Suburban Rail Loop Authority, VIC
James Pearson

Director - National Sustainability Manager, CBRE, VIC
James Ackroyd

Property Development Associate, City of Port Phillip Council, VIC
Juan Carvajal

Strategic Projects Design Lead, Hume City Council, VIC
Laura Fulger

PMO Lead, MRPV, VIC
Lincoln Glover

Principal Architect / Urban Designer, City of Port Phillip, VIC
Louis Manley

ESD Team Leader, Merri-bek City Council, VIC
Michelle Gunders

ESD Adviser, Banyule City Council, VIC
Natacha Redon

Senior Project Manager, RP Infrastructure, VIC
Prachi Garnawat

Zero Carbon Implementation Officer, Banyule City Council, VIC
Vicky Jayswal

Senior Sustainability Ratings Specialist, CBRE, VIC
Andrew Pannifex

Project Manager, Sensum, VIC
James Groom

Director, Infill Property Group, WA
Patrick Stabile

Director, Amulet Property, SA
Marini Samaratunga

Associate Lecturer, Western Sydney University, NSW
Rachel Goldlust

Policy Officer, Solar Victoria, VIC
Laura Zhang

Procurement Manager, City of Melbourne, VIC
Marie Umbach

Senior Policy Officer, Legislation and Regulation, DEECA, VIC
Adam Shalekoff

Senior Project Manager, Homes Victoria, VIC
Nick Smith

Senior Policy Officer, DEECA, VIC
Travis Hall

Senior Project Manager, Homes Victoria, VIC
Priyanka Damle

Project Officer, Homes Victoria, VIC
Philip Michael Webster

Program Officer, Switch Your Thinking, WA
Kerry Wilson

Coordinator, Switch Your Thinking, WA
Darren Kane

Manager of Health, Building and Community Safety, Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, WA
Kate McKeand

Senior Policy Officer, DEECA, VIC
Graeme Brown

Carpentry Teacher, TAS TAFE, TAS

“I’m inspired by the opportunity to strengthen my understanding of Passivhaus Standard and support the transition to healthier, low-carbon buildings in the public sector.”

Ali Hart, Senior Project Manager, Homes Victoria, VIC
"The program will be delivered by a group of experienced professionals from the government and private sectors. This will assist in learning from case studies, and sharing best practices, and building networks for future collaboration."

Ashfaque Chowdhury, Senior Lecturer in MCH Engineering, Central Queensland University, QLD
"Long term, I aim to embed Passive House principles into both my research and professional practice, particularly in precinct-scale planning and energy modelling. I hope to use the knowledge gained to guide policy, support interdisciplinary collaborations, and mentor students and practitioners in applying high-performance design strategies at scale."

Azadeh Taghvaie, University of Melbourne PhD Candidate, VIC
"As a project manager at Homes Victoria and a registered architect in Victoria, my work is deeply rooted in delivering equitable, sustainable housing solutions. The Passivhaus Incubator presents an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding of high-performance building standards, which are essential for advancing our state's net-zero goals and enhancing the quality of social housing."

Badru Ahmed, Project Manager, Homes Victoria - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, VIC
"After completing the Introduction to Passivhaus course in May this year, I developed a strong interest in the standard—not only for its exceptional energy efficiency but also for its profound impact on occupant health, comfort, and overall wellbeing. This holistic approach to sustainable building design has inspired me to further explore and advocate for Passivhaus principles in my professional work."

Bronwyn Englaro, Randwick City Council Senior Sustainability Officer, NSW
"I'm hoping to gain a better understanding of how Passivhaus can positively contribute to healthier, more sustainable residential homes, and how to implement and brief consultants to deliver it."

Bruno Deans, Scape Australia Development Manager, NSW
I hope to obtain a sound technical knowledge on the concepts of passive house design, which I can apply to my research and academic projects which are based in Australia and around the world."

Dilshi Dharmarathna, Monash University PhD candidate/ Researcher/ Teaching Associate, VIC
"I am part of Strategic and Finance Projects team that involves developing affordable housing and I really want to understand how net-zero-ready new properties are built and what actually entail. I also want to bring knowledge from the program to enhance existing properties that at times need to be renovated."

Din Pla Hongsa, Marymead Catholic Care Canberra & Goulburn Housing Manager, ACT
"I have always been interested in the relationship between the build world and the environment. My colleague recommended this course."

Ellie Gladman, Project Officer, Asset Sustainability - Department for Education, SA
"I am hoping to build my knowledge in the area of sustainable building design and bring back key principles to my policy work. "

Evie Davey, Policy Officer - Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, VIC
"I will be able to contribute more to my lab and my clients and work better in affecting changes in the NCC. I am also an educator in the architecture school and I hope this training can help me train the next generation of architects!"

Freya Su, Air Tightness Tester, Building Scientist - Snug House (TAS)
"Great ability to advocate for Passive House application and to leverage the network and knowledge gained from the incubator."

Harley Vincent, Principal Architect - Suburban Rail Loop Authority (VIC)
"Long term, I want to support the integration of Passivhaus standards into council policy, asset management, and future capital works programs. I also see great value in using Passivhaus to inspire policy changes across regional Queensland, where energy stress and heat vulnerability are growing concerns. I hope to establish a blueprint for sustainable retrofits and climate-resilient community infrastructure."

Hashem Taher, Climate Change Officer - Gladstone Regional Council, QLD
"The program was recommended by my manager. I'm hoping to get practical information for MMC projects."

Hyojung Kim, Project Officer - ACTPS, ACT
"I'm hoping to get a greater understanding of the importance of good design that minimises the use of energy and improves living conditions and how it can be practically applied in policy and guidance at a local government level."

Jaime Parsons, Principal Advisor, Urban Design - City of Hobart, TAS
"I would like to understand better all the concepts and stages that underpin Passivhaus systems to hopefully take into the work that I do."

James Pearson, Director - National Sustainability Manager, CBRE, VIC
"Long term, I’m seeking to integrate high-performance building principles into advice I provide to government and private clients, especially in the early-stage design, policy, and procurement phases, where impact is greatest. I’d like to contribute to a more consistent and confident pathway to better outcomes across the full lifecycle of public and mixed-tenure projects. I hope this course will deepen my technical understanding and help me develop the ability to balance policy and commercially sound delivery. "

James Ackroyd, Property Development Associate - City of Port Phillip Council, VIC
"My goal is to embed the Passivhaus ethos and approach into council frameworks and capital works programs, ensuring that public buildings are not only energy-efficient but also healthier, more resilient, and future-proofed; while remaining feasible and a good example of tax-payers money use."

Juan Carvajal, Strategic Projects Design Lead, Hume City Council, VIC
"I applied to learn more about best building practices in sustainability. I'm hoping to gain a holistic comprehensive approach as a project coordinator."

Julio Stefanoni, Project coordinator - Asset Sustainability, Department for Education, SA
"I am leading development of an emissions reduction plan, and my organisation has recently completed energy audits of our buildings so I hope learnings from this course can inform internal advocacy for improving the performance of our buildings."

Lara Daddow, Coordinator Strategic Sustainability, City of Salisbury, SA
"More understanding, more knowledge, more answers, maybe a career change and being involved in the construction industry and not just supporting it."

Laura Fulger, PMO Lead, MRPV, VIC
"I hoping to gain some further insights, useful information and tools that will assist me in more ways to fuel and maintain my momentum in the constant process of educating and convincing policy makers and decision makers about the benefits for the stakeholders, users and owners of built assets in adopting sustainable and energy efficient approaches."

Les Moore, Director, Les Moore Projects, SA
"I hope the knowledge gained through this course will put me a better position to advocate for sustainability initiatives in council projects, including Passivhaus design."

Lincoln Glover, Principal Architect / Urban Designer, City of Port Phillip, VIC
"The knowledge gained will help inform our teams on how to incorporate Passivhaus into our developments"

Lisa James, Sustainability Manager, Design, Mirvac, NSW
"I hope to gain both the technical knowledge and skills to implement the Passivhaus standard into the strategic policy work i currently do at Merri-bek."

Louis Manley, ESD Team Leader, Merri-bek City Council, VIC
"I work in building and structure efficiency mostly built around mechanical systems. I believe that there is an underlying issue with structures in Australia causing the over-reliance on Mechanical."

Luke Sykes, Senior Consultant, Decarbonise Australia, NSW
"I hope to gain a better understanding of how to build homes that operate better thermally as well as an understanding of how this can be facilitated with simple detailing when considered at an early stage."

Marius Meyer, Design & Development Manager, City West Housing, NSW
"I’m hoping to build long-term expertise in delivering high-performance, low-energy buildings and to help drive broader industry adoption of the Passivhaus Standard."

Mason Asadi, ESG Manager, CBRE, QLD
"Long-term, I will continue to be an advocate for high-performance building standards, with the tools and knowledge to support their integration into council-led projects, planning policy, and community engagement. I’d like to contribute to a future where Passivhaus is embedded in mainstream regulation and procurement across all sectors including residential."

Michelle Gunders, ESD Adviser, Banyule City Council, VIC
"This will allow to be a much more informed advocate both within my organisation and with clients directly for how Passivhaus can be an option to our projects and how the challenges can be overcome."

Natacha Redon, Senior Project Manager, RP Infrastructure, VIC
"Strengthen the business case for existing and prospective hotel owners on more sustainable buildings, with Passivhaus as the best in class. This includes ability to confidently and present the evidence-based enhanced financial value, future resilience and risk reduction benefits of more sustainable buildings. Being able to achieve the first (of many) Passivhaus certified Hiltons in Australia and the broader APAC (especially Southeast Asia and India) would be a dream come true."

Niko Stacher, Senior Manager, Sustainability APAC, Hilton, NSW
"In the long term, I want to embed Passivhaus thinking into the early-stage development process — particularly in typologies like build-to-rent, student accommodation, and mixed-use residential. I hope this program will help me build confidence to challenge the status quo in early feasibility and design conversations, and help me bring informed, outcomes-focused ideas to the table that improve performance without compromising on design or commercial viability."

Nina Parsons, Australia Development Manager, Scape, NSW
"Long term I hope to have the ability to influence our processes when it comes to building and diversifying our thought process think outside the box."

Peter McCann, Executive Manager NQ, Regional Housing Limited, QLD
"I have long been interested in and with engaged with sustainable built projects. I have a surface understanding of Passivhaus but am now seeking to really understand the principles and understand how successful Passivhaus projects have been delivered and perform. Ultimately, I would like to become a champion for Passivhaus in the planning and design of the Territory's Education, Health and Justice projects and work towards driving new and existing public infrastructure towards net zero."

Philippa Randles, Senior Project Manager, Infrastructure Canberra, ACT Government, ACT
"I'd like to try and implement Passivhaus in our council buildings; with an aim to move to next zero by 2028."

Prachi Garnawat, Zero Carbon Implementation Officer, Banyule City Council, VIC
"I wish I can make the right actions and improvement during my daily work using every opportunity to improve energy efficiency."

Sean Sun, Brief and Design Officer, Charles Sturt University
"I want to incorporate Passivhaus into the design process for holistic developmental strategies."

Siddhartha Padhi, Senior Associate, PTW, NSW
"Knowledge on maximising our energy retrofits to achieve as much as possible passive house standards in our portfolio. This should help us to increase thermal comfort for our tenants, thus helping to reduce energy poverty and increasing their health outcomes."

Theo Posumah, Director Assets, Bridge Housing, NSW
"I want to expand my knowledge horizon and learn about end goals of a Passivhaus and what impact does this have on both the people inside the buildings and out."

Vicky Jayswal, Senior Sustainability Ratings Specialist, CBRE, VIC
"I hope to gain the skills and knowledge to enable me to progress INGs (or another organisations) lending products, policy and customer education to drive further decarbonisation, understand different policies, suppliers and developers who specialise in this space, and build connections across industry that can drive momentum in the longer term."

Yolanda Butler, Strategy and Project Management - Net Zero Housing, ING, NSW