Leader Spotlight #01 - Angelina Maallini Pillai

Angelina Maallini Pillai, is a Malaysian national with South Indian (Tamil and Malayalee) roots. She is the CEO of the Association of Consulting Architects Australia (ACA) and the Head of Diversity, Culture, and Inclusion at the Australian Council of Professions through which she champions diversity and inclusion across the industry.

1. Background and Inspiration: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in the property and construction industry?

I was born in the 70s in multicultural Malaysia, a country undergoing significant ‘nation building’ at that time. My father, a civil and structural engineer, exposed me early on to the important role that the built environment and construction sectors play in our communities. I vividly remember listening attentively to discussions about road construction, building designs, and the magnificence of ancient structures we visited on holidays and everything in between!

In the mid-90s, after studying international politics at university in Australia, I began my career at the Australian High Commission in Malaysia with the Department of Education and Employment. Although the role was officially about education and employment, I leveraged my position to advocate for social justice activism and equal rights.

In 2000, I moved to Australia (for love) and transitioned into managing the Faculty of Business and Law at Central Queensland University’s International Campuses. There, I supported students from diverse ethnic backgrounds in integrating into Australian life and studies. This experience deepened my interest in the intersection of international education and employment.

I subsequently moved into the professional body sector, working with various membership organizations such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, the Australian HR Institute, and the Royal Australian College of GPs. Currently, I am with the Association of Consulting Architects and the Australian Council of Professions. What has truly inspired me is the opportunity to represent and support professions that uphold high standards of professionalism, competency, and integrity. These professions use their platforms to advocate for better outcomes in diversity, inclusion, and equitable practice. I have always admired how the built environment professions shape our communities, identities, values, beliefs, and our sense of belonging in the world. This respect for the profession motivates me to represent the interests of architectural practices through the ACA and across the sector.

2. Leadership and Diversity: How do you integrate your cultural background into your leadership style, or how do you advocate for diversity and inclusion within the industry?

I’d like to think my culture significantly influences my leadership style. Growing up in Malaysia, a multicultural, multilingual, and cosmopolitan country, I learned early on that Indians, Malays, Chinese, Eurasians, and other races need to build relationships, respect cultures, understand languages, and embed these values in everyday life. It’s not merely about tolerating each other; it’s about appreciating, learning from, and celebrating our differences. While it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, it has generally worked well.

Incorporating this into my leadership style, I try to maintain respect and acknowledgment of cross-cultural norms in the professional landscape. Recognising that everyone comes from diverse backgrounds and experiences, I prioritise understanding and leveraging these aspects to bring out the best in my teams.

As a South Indian growing up in Malaysia, I was speaking three languages—Malay (the national language), Tamil (my mother tongue), and English (the medium of instruction)—by the time I could talk. Although this was quite normal for me, it has helped me develop broad communication skills, fostering clearer, more deliberate, thoughtful, and inclusive interactions. Many leaders today might lack well-crafted communication skills (my humble observation), so I consider myself fortunate to have developed these skills through my background. Yes, I often code-switch, but it works for me!

Being raised in diverse cultures required me to be flexible and adaptable to ever-changing environments, people, and places. It also sparked a deep curiosity in me, which is why I ask many questions—not out of intrusion, but out of genuine interest in people’s stories. As a leader, being genuinely invested in the teams we lead and the boards we are governed by is important. So, appreciating their stories helps break down barriers and create a level playing field.

When it comes to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the industry, I recognize that it has become somewhat clichéd, however, “you can’t be what you can’t see.” For me, it’s about leading by example—being culturally visible (yes, even donning a saree now and then), sharing stories, creating opportunities for diversity, participating in communities like MAPP, and continuing to take pride in my cultural background.

3. Advice for Aspiring Professionals: What advice would you give to young professionals from multicultural backgrounds who aspire to leadership roles in the property and construction industry?

Firstly, embrace who you are. It’s taken me over 50 years to fully appreciate the ‘superpower’ that comes with my heritage. After migrating to Australia 25 years ago, I inadvertently distanced myself from my culture, not intentionally, but perhaps because I didn’t think much about it at the time. Now, I realise the importance of talking about my culture openly and with pride. Our multicultural background is our strength, and we are who we are because of it.

This industry still has a long way to go in truly achieving diversity and inclusion, especially in leadership roles. While progress has been made, there’s still more to be done. So, my second piece of advice is to be visible in your current roles. Don’t be shy about highlighting your work, speaking publicly, and putting yourself out there. One of the less desirable aspects of my culture is the tendency to shy away from the limelight (I know… very shy!) and let others take the glory. Trust me, that approach doesn’t get you very far. I struggled with confidence and imposter syndrome myself, but I took a proactive step by enrolling in acting classes to build my confidence and public speaking skills. It’s a continuous journey, but I’ve made significant progress, and I’d love to see more people of colour speaking out and advocating across the industry.

Another key piece of advice is to build a solid network around you. Be an active member of your professional association, join cultural networks (like MAPP, ahem), participate in property and construction events, and engage in continuous professional development. Seek mentorship from like-minded leaders who can help highlight your value and advocate for you. Champion inclusivity in your workplace and refine your communication skills. People want to be inspired by leaders who not only talk the talk but walk the walk.

Finally, stay informed and educated—never stop learning!

4. Future Vision: In your opinion, how can the property and construction industry better support multiculturalism?

I think what MAPP is doing is brilliant. Its platform acknowledges and celebrates diversity in the property and construction industry by connecting and empowering professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. It’s exactly what needs to happen.

I urge professionals (regardless of backgrounds) to continue advocating on the value and benefits of multiculturalism in the industry. Initiate dialogue with recruiters to think of more innovative ways to engage with and attract multicultural talent. Promote cultural awareness/competency training, push this agenda into HR departments and develop cross-cultural mentorship programs. Finally, highlight positive stories through media channels and, together, make the industry more attractive for everyone.

5. Cultural Celebrations: Can you share a significant cultural celebration or festival from your heritage that holds special meaning for you?

Christmas, Deepavali, Eid, and Chinese New Year are the key celebrations in Malaysia. They’re meaningful because they honour our diversity. During these holidays, we come together, visit loved ones, enjoy incredible food, share laughter, and bask in the glory of our respective beliefs, traditions and customs. It’s diversity and inclusion at its best!