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More than 50 women working across real estate and associated industries have gathered together in a push to promote female representation on real estate and associated industry boards.
At a Women on Boards event hosted by REINSW, the resounding message was “it’s time to step up if you want to effect change in your industry”.
The Sydney Opera House breakfast event saw REINSW president Leanne Pilkington joined by the executive chair of Women on Boards Australia, Ruth Medd, and board members and event panellists Sandra McCullagh, Pauline Vamos, Amanda Rose and Sarah Bester.
All of the women shared their insight and experience with the intention that others could one day position themselves for board selection.
Ms Medd helped the audience to consider what they need to do to position themselves best to join a board, highlighted the importance of a quality resume and talked about how attendees could perfect a convincing 30-second pitch.
The panellists then took to the stage to explain to the audience how they became board members, and how to go about joining boards which align with their “values, passions and expertise”.
The need for prospective board members to create their own personal support team, the location of the right recruiters, and how to find mentors able to offer guidance and sponsorship as all ways prospective board members can create and sustain support were also topics that were touched on at the event.
Panellist Ms Rose said she believed “that pathways are open and have always been open, but we didn’t realise it”.
“If we work together and connect to each other and sponsor each other into roles, there will be a lot more women in boards, even 12 months from today,” she continued.
For Ms Pilkington, who was crowned Association Professional of the Year at the 2019 Women in Real Estate Awards, it was an opportunity to speak about the REINSW board, its upcoming elections and the process of nominating for available positions.
Commenting on the level of enthusiasm around the association’s next board election, the president said that “a better understanding of what prospective board members need to do to actually achieve a place on the board is something I’m really excited to see”.
The push for more women on boards illuminates the need for industry and company boards to greater represent the clients and consumers they wish to serve.
Recent research from Raine & Horne found that its own property ads are “overwhelmingly” catching the eye of Australian women (72 per cent) in comparison to men (28 per cent).
It’s of significance in the real estate industry, considering “women have long been recognised as the important decision-maker when it comes to selecting a home”, according to Anjee Hopton, Raine & Horne’s national marketing manager.
“Females cannot be underestimated when it comes to selling property,” she continued.
“Women of all ages continue to be a driving force in the market, and property listings need to be appropriately pitched towards modern Australia.”
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