Tanya Golitschenko & Kavita Gonsalves | Brisbane Autumn 2025

Our conversationalists for this episode are Kavita Gonsalves and Tanya Golitschenko. Tanya is a principal at Hassell and recipient of the 2022 Queensland Emerging Architect Prize. Kavita is the Sustainability Design Lead – APAC at Populous. Both care deeply about good leadership, advocacy and mentorship.

In this open and generous discussion, Kavita describes her nomadic life, studying and working her way around the world, from Bahrain to India, Scotland and Finland, to Brisbane. Constant movement has required constant adaptation and new network creation. Building supportive networks in practice, the profession and in life is a theme that resonates for Tanya. 

Our speakers trade tales of poor leadership and behaviour in practice and beyond. They call for more collaboration and inclusion in meeting rooms, and fewer power plays, egos and emotional outbursts. Both seek a kinder, more empathetic and supportive way.

“It doesn’t need to be hard and it doesn’t need to be a struggle. We shouldn’t have to fight. We shouldn’t have to prove ourselves. Everyone in the room has something valuable to add. I hope I’m making the space for people to be who they are without feeling like they’re limited by their gender or whatever. I think I’m just always looking for opportunities to make things better.”—Tanya Golitschenko

A conversation that unpacks the challenges and struggles of the profession ends with optimism and hope, with Tanya and Kavita both outlining ambitious plans for the future.

This episode was recorded live on Yuggerah and Turrbal Country at the 2025 Brisbane Autumn Salon. Held at the Brickworks Design Studio on 30 April 2025, it was convened by Lily Pepper. Photos: Alanna McTiernan.

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