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Davina Rooney

Chief Executive Officer at Green Building Council of Australia

Professional Background

Davina Rooney is a highly respected property professional with extensive expertise in sustainability, environmental projects, and community development. Her extraordinary journey in the realm of property and sustainability has allowed her to actively contribute to various impactful projects worldwide. A standout moment in her career was her eight-month stint in the Indian Himalayas, where she played a crucial role in the construction of a school that garnered multiple international awards. This experience not only deepened Davina's commitment to sustainable development but also showcased her ability to lead projects that have lasting positive impacts on communities.

During her career, Davina held prominent positions in several prestigious organizations, notably at Stockland, one of Australia’s largest property groups. She notably served as the General Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Procurement, where her leadership helped elevate Stockland to significant industry recognitions. Under her guidance, the company achieved the title of the most sustainable real estate company in the world, as recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), and was awarded GRESB Global Leader for both Retail and Office sectors. Additionally, under her tenure, Stockland was acknowledged on the Carbon Disclosure Project Leaders lists in 2016 and 2018, further underscoring Davina's pivotal role in promoting sustainability in the real estate sector.

In her commitment to continuous improvement and excellence, Davina has also been engaged in various leadership roles, most notably serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Green Building Council of Australia. Her work has significantly influenced sustainability practices within the building and real estate industry, advocating for sustainable designs and practices that reduce environmental impact.

Education and Achievements

Davina Rooney is a proud graduate of the University of Sydney, where she earned her Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in Civil Engineering. This strong educational foundation has catalyzed her ability to blend engineering principles with sustainability practices seamlessly. Her academic achievements set the stage for her future contributions to the industry, equipping her with the knowledge necessary to tackle complex sustainability challenges.

Throughout her career, Davina has been honored with several prestigious awards, highlighting her exceptional contributions to the field of sustainability. Among her accolades, she received the NAWIC NSW 2016 Sustainability Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements by women in the construction sector. Additionally, she was honored with the PCA 2014 Future Leaders Award, recognizing her potential to lead and innovate within the property industry. Furthermore, she was acknowledged as a Young Alumni by Sydney University Engineering, showcasing her impactful career and contributions right after her educational pursuits.

Notable Contributions and Community Involvement

In addition to being at the forefront of sustainability in property, Davina has actively participated in various not-for-profit initiatives. She has served on boards that advocate for community development and support essential social services. Notably, her previous position as a Board Member at Evolve Housing reflects her commitment to affordable housing solutions and her belief in the importance of providing safe and secure homes for all.

Her dedication to education and youth development is evident through her service as a Board Member at Girl Guides NSW & ACT, where she supported initiatives aimed at empowering young girls and fostering their development through leadership and community engagement.

Furthermore, Davina has extended her expertise to academia, serving as a Faculty member in the Sustainability Practitioners Program at the University of Cambridge. Here, she contributed to the training of future leaders in sustainability, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of sustainability professionals.

Passion for Sustainability and Future Goals

Davina Rooney’s passion for sustainability is at the core of her professional identity. She believes in working towards creating a sustainable future, where the impact of development is balanced with the needs of the environment and society. She emphasizes the importance of partnering with teams to enhance the quality of projects, understanding that collaboration is key to achieving ambitious sustainability goals.

Moreover, Davina advocates for fostering a supportive and engaging workplace culture. She understands that innovation and creativity can flourish in environments where individuals feel valued and inspired to contribute their best efforts. Her commitment to continuous learning demonstrates her belief in the evolving nature of the field and her desire to stay at the forefront of sustainable practice

Highlights

Feb 22 · linkedin

Cities are where we come together, exchange ideas, collaborate, and socialise.

A great city makes you feel included. It connects you with nature, encourages exploration, and delights the senses, all while creating economic activity.

Architects, builders, developers, owners, planners, and policy makers all shape our cities. And while we can tell when we are successful or not, to date it has been hard to measure the value of the social benefit our cities create.

Last night with Hassell we launched a new discussion paper, Social value in the built environment. It’s a first step in our exploration of how we – as an industry - can agree on a common value framework for this critical, but less explored, area in the built environment.

I share my thoughts in this article today in The Mandarin https://lnkd.in/gN3Yeg6r

We hope to hear from you as we continue this journey.

Jul 20 · linkedin

“At times it was only a small stone in the water that created a large ripple effect.” We heard this and other amazing insights from Bob Johnston CEO, The GPT Group as our keynote speaker at today’s boardroom lunch on ‘Taking action on embodied carbon and circularity’. He continued to talk about leaders who inspired him in “challenging the status quo and challenging conventional practice to drive change”

Thank you to Interface for hosting this wonderful lunch and to Aidan Mullan for your thought-provoking input. It was fantastic to discuss such crucial issues with leaders from across our industry.

Upfront carbon and circularity are at the forefront of Green Building Council of Australia strategy.

Related Questions

How did Davina Rooney develop her passion for sustainability?
What key projects did Davina Rooney lead at Stockland that earned her industry recognition?
In what ways did Davina's experience in the Indian Himalayas shape her approach to community development?
What initiatives did Davina Rooney implement during her time as CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia?
How does Davina Rooney envision the future of sustainability in the real estate industry?
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Location

Greater Sydney Area