Sonja is Director at Hames Sharley. Her 20+ years of experience has focused on the psychology of space through creative design outcomes within the built environment. Sonja brings a recognized capability for facilitating galvanized consensus amongst diverse stakeholders. She has a passion for research in design.

Her education includes a Bachelor of Built Environment (with Hons) with a major in Interior Design from QUT with the final year completed at the School of Interior Architecture, UNSW. Upon graduating, Sonja qualified for the Golden Key Honour Society. Over the last two decades she has devoted her energy to professional practice. Her passion is design that has a positive social impact and her projects include NGOs and organisations that support marginalised communities. In 2016 she joined the industry advisory panel for the RMIT College of Vocational Education. In 2022 she became a guest lecturer at the New York School of Interior Design.

Sonja is leading the research team investigating neurodiversity and mental health and how, as designers, we can adapt our built environments through sensory design interventions to enable success and inclusion. Sonja is a mum of two, school-aged daughters and her family lives on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula.