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'Despite an increasing proportion of women in planning, women continue to face gender bias in a variety of ways...as such, planning educators and professional planning associations have a responsibility to address the issue of gender inequity within the professions.'


About Us

The Women in Planning Network is your local divisional group for Women Planners, supported by the NSW Division of ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø and the NSW Executive Team.

The network aims to increase gender equity in NSW planning. It also provides a space for all women in the planning profession to network and meet other like-minded professionals, discuss issues and find support for professional development from other women, as well as, advocate to increase gender equity in our profession, across all levels.


Get Involved

NSW Women in Planning Leadership Group meets every month.

Please contact any of the Leadership Team members below if you have any questions or ideas to share. If you have any ideas to progress women in planning or would like to host and/or sponsor a Women in Planning event, please email the ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø NSW office.

If you would like to be part of the conversation, join the Women in Planning Network . For all Women in Planning news, follow the network on or .


ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø NSW WIP launches Lunch & Learn 2024 Series

and more sessions to be scheduled for 2024!


ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø NSW 2024 Dr Helen Proudfoot Women in Planning Award

The Dr Helen Proudfoot Women in Planning Award recognises women’s contributions to planning outcomes, policy and practice. Dr Helen Proudfoot demonstrated a tireless determination to enhance planning policy and practice through a commitment to understanding and celebrating ‘place’ and working across disciplines to develop integrated and place-based plans for Metropolitan Sydney.

This award is presented to a female planner who has made an outstanding contribution to planning in NSW in 2023. Nomination criteria includes: Demonstrated outstanding commitment to planning work; demonstrated outstanding support and contribution towards others in the planning profession in NSW and a personal statement detailing how the nominee has had a positive impact on their colleagues, work processes or the planning profession in NSW.

The Winner of the 2024 Dr Helen Proudfoot Award has been announced, ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø NSW congratulates Sarah Reilly MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø (Fellow)


NSW Women in Planning Leadership Group

Co-Chairs:

Deeksha Nathani MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø & Kendell Pesavento MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Policy + Advocacy:

Sanaz Alian MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Valerie Giammarco RÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Bita Gharagozloo ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø (Assoc.)

Isabelle Best MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Margaret Paige RÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Jennifer Nguyen MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Events + Networking:

Kendall Pesavento MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Sophie Butcher RÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Rachel Harrison RÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Ashleigh Ryan RÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Kajal Antil ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø (Assoc.)

Sian Young

WIP Award:

Rowena Phua MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Amita Maharjan MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Deeksha Nathani MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø

Norma Shankie-Williams MÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø (Fellow)

Melissa Thomas RÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø