What I believe

Across every role in my career, my core purpose has remained consistent:

To create communities that thrive and feel welcoming. Places where people can live, love and linger.

I believe our streets and neighbourhoods should enable healthy, connected and active lives.

Future generations should have a healthy planet to inhabit.

Real progress happens when we combine evidence with empathy, collaboration and the courage to challenge the way things have always been done.

I’m optimistic about the future because I’ve seen what happens when people have a shared vision and the confidence to take decisive action.

A woman with long red hair, blue eyes, and a big smile, wearing a dark green shirt, gold earrings, and a metallic necklace

About Sara Stace

How I think

I love making sense of complexity. Both my Architecture and MBA training required left and right brain thinking: evidence and storytelling, reason and passion, technical excellence and creative flair.

That way of thinking has led me from architecture into government, transport, urbanism, consulting, advocacy, startups and corporate leadership.

I’m drawn to work that transforms how people think about cities, transport and leadership.

I find the best solutions emerge when we bring disciplines together, ask questions, dive deep where necessary and challenge orthodoxy.

Whether I’m advising governments, speaking at conferences, mentoring professionals or developing practical decision tools, my goal is always this:

To help people see the bigger picture, ask the questions that matter and create lasting change for communities.

Professional background

Connect on LinkedIn

Sara Stace is a strategic adviser with more than 30 years’ experience spanning federal, state and local governments, consulting, not-for-profit and private sector.

Sara has led major strategy, planning and policy initiatives in Australia, and advised on cities, streets, movement, place, infrastructure and implementation.

Professional Memberships and Appointments

  • Registered Architect NSW ARB #6883

  • Treasurer, World Cycling Alliance (Brussels-based NGO)

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors

  • Transport Professionals Association

  • State Design Review Panel (WA current, NSW former)

Leadership

  • Director of Cities at Vivendi Cities

  • Director of Cities and Strategic Advisory, WSP

  • A/Director, Walking and Cycling Strategy, Transport for NSW

  • Director, National Urban Policy, Infrastructure Australia

  • General Manager, ASX-listed property fund

Endurance Events

  • Top-5 ranking marathon runner (Sydney, Gold Coast, Canberra, Berlin)

  • Triathlete

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, panellist and workshop facilitator for governments, universities, industry and professional organisations

  • At conferences in Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Germany, Singapore, Denmark and throughout Australia.

Awards

  • 17 national and state awards from the Planning Institute of Australia, Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Government, Banksia Environmental Awards and more.

Publications and Influence

  • Co-author and editor of more than 30 publications for the World Bank, United Nations and Australian Government, state and local governments.

  • Led the National Urban Design Protocol, National Urban Strategy and National Active Transport Strategy

  • Co-author of Austroads guidance

  • Developed the NSW state Walking Space Guide, Cycleway Design Toolbox, Road User Space Allocation Policy, Movement and Place Framework

  • Developed Tasmanian state Walk, Wheel and Ride guidance, and dozens of local government strategies.

  • Co-inventor and author of patented AI technology.

Research and Academia

  • Industry research collaboration with University of NSW

  • PhD supervisor

  • Guest lecturer University of NSW, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia