The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) has appointed former National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) curator of contemporary design and architecture Simone LeAmon as its next chief executive officer, marking what the organisation describes as a “bold new moment” for the peak body and for the future of Australian design.
LeAmon, who will formally begin the role on 12 January 2026, joins the DIA after more than a decade at the NGV. During her tenure, she helped shape the NGV into a globally recognised centre for contemporary design, building a significant collection and establishing programs that spotlighted Australian designers on national and international stages.
Her work at the NGV saw her forge partnerships across industry, government and cultural institutions, creating platforms that lifted the visibility of design in public life and reinforced its economic and cultural value. The DIA says this experience will underpin a refreshed national strategy focused on strengthening the role of design across policy, industry and innovation.
“Simone embodies the spirit and ambition of Australian design,” DIA president Ryan Russell said. “Her career has been defined by creativity, intellect and vision; qualities that sit at the heart of the DIA’s mission. We are delighted to welcome Simone as CEO and look forward to the leadership, energy and clarity of purpose she brings to the organisation.”
Before joining the NGV, LeAmon built a multi-disciplinary practice spanning furniture, product, jewellery, interiors, digital and experimental design through her studios N+1 Equals and Simone LeAmon Design and Creative Strategy. She holds a bachelor of fine art from the University of Melbourne’s Victorian College of the Arts and a master of design (industrial design) from RMIT University. She is an adjunct professor in RMIT’s College of Design and Social Context, a mentor to emerging designers and a contributor to national design policy and in 2021, she received Good Design Australia’s Women in Design Award.
“My vision is to place design at the centre of Australia’s national conversation, to make it seen, valued and invested in as essential to our prosperity, identity and future. The DIA will be the catalyst for that culture, uniting designers of every discipline and amplifying the impact of what we do,” LeAmon said in a statement.
