GBCA's Elham Monavari wins NAWIC award

Elham Monavari, who led the development of the new Green Star Homes rating tool at the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), has been recognised by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) for her contribution to the field of sustainability.

Monavari, Senior Manager – Operations Transformation at the GBCA, received the CPB Award for Contribution to Sustainability at the 2022 NAWIC Awards for Excellence event, which was held in Sydney on Wednesday 23 February.

“A sustainability leader committed to transformational change, Elham Monavari led the creation of the new Green Star Homes rating tool for the Green Building Council of Australia This revolutionary rating tool promises to drive down emissions by 70,000 tonnes over the next decade. Elham’s 20-year commitment to sustainability in the built environment has delivered many other dividends: a liveability survey for Mirvac, ambitious waste targets for local government and higher sustainability standards for high-profile projects in the United Arab Emirates, for example. A collaborator, dedicated professional and powerful role model, Elham is now focused on ensuring the Green Star rating system is ready for a digital future,” said NAWIC in a statement about the winner.

The NAWIC Awards for Excellence celebrate the contributions that women make to the construction industry at all career levels and in all sectors. But this year a common characteristic has emerged, and many of the recipients have made it their mission to build businesses that support diversity and inclusion, said NAWIC Co-President Elizabeth Brookes.

“This year we have recognised several leaders taking great strides forward to create the cultural change necessary for women to thrive in construction,” said NAWIC Co-President Harriet Oldmeadow.

Below is a complete list of category winners:

Transport for NSW Tradesperson Scholarship

Sarah McArthur, Rab’s Plumbing Service

Probuild Award for Project Manager of the Year

Caroline Dénès, Willow

CPB Award for Contribution to Sustainability

Elham Monavari, Green Building Council of Australia

Roberts Co Award for Contribution to a Project’s Development

Melanie Elms, Australian Rail Track Corporation – Inland Rail

Unispace Scholarship for Future Leader

Kelly Pham, Star PMCA

MPA Award for Achievement in Construction, Refurbishment and Fitout

Aleksandra Gorgieva, Generate Property Group

Hassell Innovation in Design Award

Hope Dryden, Architectus

Laing O’Rourke Business Woman of the Year

Belinda Bentley, 9Springs

John Holland Award for Team Innovation

Elena Beleska and Myra Basic, IRT Group

Generate Property University Scholarship

Petra Quartullo, University of NSW

Lendlease Crystal Vision Award for Advancing the Interests of Women in the Construction Industry

Dominique Gill, Urban Core

ADCO Champion of Change

Stephen Surjan, Roberts Co

Acoustic Logic Regional Woman of the Year

Emma Muller, Maliyan Horizon

Image caption: Elham Monavari, Senior Manager – Operations Transformation, GBCA. Image supplied by GBCA.