International Women’s Day 2025

At AJC, we are committed to fostering greater inclusion and diversity across our Sydney studio. Today, 48% of our workforce are women, and in 2023, we welcomed Dua Green as the first female owner of the practice. This year, we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 by embracing the theme ‘Accelerate Action’ and speaking with Chief Operating Officer Lynette Apostolou, Designer Yasaman Akhlaghirad, and Senior Designer, Urban, Georgia Kissa about what this means for architecture and leadership.

AJC is also proud to support Dress for Success, a charity dedicated to empowering women to achieve economic independence. Through no-fee programs, career development tools, and professional attire, Dress for Success helps unemployed and underemployed women thrive in work and in life.

LYNETTE APOSTOLOU, AJC Chief Operating Officer

Q. What does ‘Accelerate Action’ mean to you?

Every action no matter how small contributes to a larger movement for equality. It will need a collective effort of individuals taking action that drive significant change. Raising awareness, supporting women, advocating for policy change, all works towards to helping to build a more equitable world.

Yasaman Akhlaghirad, Designer

Q. What does ‘Accelerate Action’ mean to you?

As a woman who moved to Australia in search of growth, better opportunities, and equality, I truly understand the urgency for accelerated change. To me, this means prioritizing the challenges women face across the globe , such as access to education, economic opportunities, safety, and their fundamental rights. By empowering the next generation, we can create a future where gender equality is no longer a distant dream, but a reality for all women and girls.

Georgia Kissa, Senior Designer, Urban

Q. What does ‘Accelerate Action’ mean to you?

Accelerate Action” means actively promoting economic empowerment by ensuring equal opportunities for women in work and business, ensuring they have the support to succeed.

It also means increasing women’s leadership in business, removing gender bias in education, increasing access to STEM fields, and providing lifelong learning, especially  those re-entering the workforce after caregiving.

Finally, leveraging technology for inclusion is key—using digital tools to bridge gaps, provide access to education and economic opportunities, and ensure all women, regardless of location or background, can participate fully in society.