Joining Populous at just 17, our 2026 Future Infrastructure Leader Scholar Kyle Jones has built his early career across major venue projects and is now turning his focus to helping shape Queensland’s infrastructure industry through IAQ.
We recently chatted to Kyle to talk about his journey so far, what the scholarship means to him and what he hopes to gain from the year ahead. You can watch the full video here.
From 17-Year-Old Starter to Global Projects
In just seven years, Kyle has worked on local Queensland projects, including the Springfield Lions training facility, before contributing to major international venues such as Kai Tak Sports Park as an Architectural Assistant at Populous.
His career progression from local to global has shaped his ambition to bring world-class thinking back to Queensland’s sports and entertainment infrastructure.
Now completing his Master of Architecture while working full time, Kyle says he is focused on learning and contributing wherever he can.
“I’m still quite young in my career. The best thing for me at the moment is to learn, connect and start to knowledge share where I can,” Kyle said.
Taking the Next Step
Kyle said applying for this scholarship was a logical next step to broaden his network beyond the traditional architect circle.
“There’s no greater platform within Queensland to meet different people across the industry,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity to meet financiers, developers … consultants, so really start to expand that circle and learn how the industry as a whole works.”
Access, Connection and Contribution
The IAQ Future Infrastructure Leader Scholarship provides up to $5,000 in tickets to IAQ events across 2026. This includes access to industry breakfasts, keynote events, and roundtables with taskforces and working groups.
For Kyle, it is more than attending events, but also about building trusted connections and contributing where he can.
“It’s an opportunity to add value from my standpoint and hopefully give back to Queensland a little bit,” Kyle said,
“Sometimes you think to yourself, I need this person, but I don’t really know how to reach out to them so to be able to gain that network, that portfolio of people, so that when you find yourself in those positions, you know who to call is great.”
Kyle joined his first IAQ DSDIP annual scene setting event in early March and is on the EPIQ committee for emerging professionals in Infrastructure in Queensland. We look forward to supporting him across 2026 within IAQ and the wider industry.
