The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Board of Directors has elected Peta-Maree Ashford as its next President.
Ashford’s presidency commences immediately, and she joins Vice President Ben Willsmore and Company Secretary Katie Earle in filling the elected positions on the Board.
“I feel privileged to be taking on the Presidency,” Ashford said. “However, I truly believe that I remain one of five leaders elected to represent and serve our membership. Having already met as a collective, we are confident in our Board transition and are eager to get to work because, as always, there is so much we wish to achieve for members.”
Ashford is currently mid-way through her second term as an AILA Board Member. She previously served as Vice President from 2020 to 2022. Based in Western Australia, she is an experienced leader both in the practice of landscape architecture and at AILA.
Throughout her career, Ashford has served on the committees of aligned industries, advocating for the influence of landscape architects in government and in private forums. In 2016, she was shortlisted for the inaugural UDIA Women in Leadership Award, and in 2017 was acknowledged with an AILA Fellowship.
One year into his second term as a Board Director, Ben Willsmore has been elected to the role of Vice President. Based in South Australia, Willsmore has over 20 years of experience in Australian and international design practices, more recently leading integrated design teams within local government.
Katie Earle has been elected to the role of Company Secretary, also having been appointed to a first term as a Board Director. Based in Victoria, Earle has over a decade’s experience practicing as a landscape architect both internationally and in Australia.
“We are delighted to welcome Peta-Maree as the new AILA President. She has been a valuable member of the Institute for many years, and I look forward to working together with the AILA Board to continue to deliver great outcomes for our members,” AILA CEO Ben Stockwin said.