Leader Spotlight #09 - Aleksandra Savic Rakocevic

Aleksandra Savic Rakocevic is of Serbian descent, with Yugoslavian heritage, and is a Director and Architect at Star Architecture.

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 a beautiful small town in Croatia, where I spent first 17 years of my life.

My father, a civil engineer and urban planner, deeply involved in local community, and my mum, a creative soul, working in kids education, encouraged me from a young age to draw, practice problem solving, and to learn from my environment.

In 1992, I moved to Belgrade to study architecture. During my studies, I became fully immersed in all aspects of architecture—creative, technical, social, and psychological—and realized that architecture wouldn’t just be my profession; it would be my calling.

My first experience in practicing architecture in real life was through the involvement in our family run architectural practice in Belgrade. This time gave me a valuable exposure to more than one face of our profession very early in my carrier, and helped me understand multiple aspects of day to day operation of an architectural studio.

In 2007. our young family moved to Melbourne, and I started my new learning cycle through working with design focused architectural firms for the first years of our life in Australia.

While enjoying the process of adjusting and learning, and trying to use and employ my skills from Serbia, I have started to understand that I professionally only fully enjoy picture thinking and understanding the full project life cycle, from the first idea, to handover and management. This led me to start my own architectural practice in 2015.

Since then, STAR Architecture has grown into a thriving practice with a strong focus on simply good architecture. While we always begin by understanding the broader vision of a project, we also love diving into intricate details, resolving complex site connections, managing client expectations, and sharing in their joy at handover.

For me, learning remains a daily pursuit—whether it’s exploring new building techniques, emerging design trends, or sustainability challenges and solutions. That’s why architecture is not just my profession—it’s my calling.

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?

Growing up with exposure to multiple cultures instilled in me a deep respect for diverse traditions and values. This made it easy for me to embrace an even broader range of ethnic and cultural groups after moving to Australia.

Shortly after arriving here almost twenty years ago, a member of the Serbian community gave me some advice: the biggest challenge was finding a way to belong in this society without losing sight of where you came from. That thought stayed with me as I learned how to make myself heard and understood in a culture that communicates very differently from what I was used to. Over time, I found my voice, and with years of industry experience behind me, I’ve grown more comfortable with my direct communication style.

In my practice, I’ve had numerous opportunities to support and mentor young graduates from diverse backgrounds, helping them apply their knowledge and providing them with opportunities for further skill development.

I also worked as a tutor at MSD, University of Melbourne, in a highly multicultural and multilingual environment. Teaching young people from different countries and language backgrounds was a valuable experience—one that not only allowed me to pass on knowledge but also gave me another opportunity to learn.

Ultimately, integrating my cultural background into my work enables me to approach every project with empathy and an open mind. This ensures that I advocate for designs that are not only innovative but also inspiring and inclusive for all.

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?

Be strongly yourself and don’t apologise for being different! Our multicultural background is an asset, not a barrier. It gives you a unique perspective on design, problem-solving, and collaboration—an incredible tool for bringing fresh ideas and diverse influences to the table.

But don’t forget—you are part of a large and diverse community. Engaging with senior peers, architectural associations, and multicultural professional networks is a powerful way to build valuable relationships and increase your visibility in the industry.

Look within, embrace your upbringing, your language, and your unique way of thinking. Let these shape how you approach challenges. Find your voice in your professional environment, own it with confidence, and make sure it’s heard.

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

Recognising and celebrating multicultural contributions is a good start and will amplify the impact of diversity in the industry. Connecting the professionals from different cultural background is another way of empowering the diversity in the property and construction industry. Supporting multicultural professional networks and industry associations can also provide vital career development opportunities, mentorship, and a sense of belonging.

Designing buildings and urban spaces that acknowledge cultural needs can help create a built environment that is welcoming and functional for all. To add to that, by engaging with diverse stakeholders in the design and planning process ensures that projects are inclusive from the start.

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

New Year celebration is one of the largest celebrations in Serbia. I love the atmosphere—full of anticipation, happiness, and the energy of a fresh start. New Year is always celebrated with friends and family, very often on city squares, creating a strong sense of community and togetherness.