With more than 28 years’ experience in the industry, Lizzi Whaley has spent 23 of those years helping shape the evolution of Spaceworks into one of New Zealand’s most respected interior architecture studios. Having served as CEO and sole owner for the past 20 years, she is widely regarded as a leader in the design and delivery of commercial spaces across workplace, retail, hospitality and aged care sectors.

Lizzi’s leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that strong businesses are built by empowering strong people. She has cultivated a culture where every voice is valued and individuals are encouraged to contribute ideas, challenge thinking and excel in their areas of strength. The result is a high-performing team that collaborates confidently and takes real ownership of outcomes.

Under Lizzi’s leadership, Spaceworks has grown through multiple economic cycles, often expanding during periods when many competitors contract. Rather than pulling back during downturns, the business has used these moments to innovate, challenge conventional thinking and deepen its understanding of what clients genuinely need from their environments, demonstrating how design can be a powerful tool for business growth and success.

Today Spaceworks is a largely female-led business with an all-female leadership team and strong staff tenure. Beyond the studio, Lizzi is a fierce advocate for the LGBTTQIA+ community and a long-standing champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. She continues to lead conversations about how thoughtful, human-centred design can shape more inclusive, resilient and high-performing workplaces.