Claire Beale LFDIA

Claire is a designer first, and a leader, curator, advocate and educator by practice.

Working under the moniker make.stuff.happen, she brings a design-led approach to strategy, storytelling and influence—expanding how design is understood, valued and applied. Her work connects practice, leadership and community to show what design can actually do: shape culture, strengthen economies and influence the way we lead.

With more than two decades of experience across design, education and cultural organisations, Claire has held senior leadership roles including inaugural Executive Director of Design Tasmania and leadership positions at RMIT University and LCI Melbourne. Her career spans strategic and creative leadership, advocacy, governance, curatorial and exhibition practice, and design education.

Claire is a past National President of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), and has also served as Chair of the Board and Chair of the National Advisory Council. She was recognised as a Life Fellow of the DIA in 2019 and continues to contribute to the sector through national initiatives, including the DIA Hall of Fame Committee.

Grounded in design as a way of thinking, Claire brings clarity to complexity, connects ideas to action, and is mildly allergic to fluff.

She holds degrees in Textile Design and Fine Arts (Honours), along with a postgraduate qualification in Tertiary Education.