SYDNEY
Leading Ladies NSW Chair , Bridgette Collis , hosted the event , and was joined by fiercely successful women in the industry for an inspiring panel , hosted by Elite Agent ’ s Managing Editor , Samantha McLean .
LR : Bridgette Collis , Samantha McLean , Vivien Yap and Emily Davidson .
ADELAIDE
At Sydney ’ s event , Vivien Yap , Principal of Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont in Perth was joined by Emily Davidson , one of BresicWhitney ’ s highest performing agents .
The panel discussed being a woman in a male-dominated industry , balancing work and life , and leadership qualities necessary to excel in real estate .
“ The first week I went home and was very disappointed and frustrated as I couldn ’ t find anyone to help me . I felt there was a lot of backstabbing , people not calling back , no one having your back . It was so different from my first career in pharmacy where everyone supports each other - it wasn ’ t competitive like real estate ,” Vivien said .
“ It was very dog eat dog . Within two and a half years , I thought I had to start my own culture if I couldn ’ t find the culture I wanted anywhere else .”
Emily said her initial role as a PA was hard to break away from .
“ There can be a stigma around agents working in an admin role who want to move into sales and I felt I had to continually prove myself ,” Emily said .
“ To get ahead I would do my admin role during the day , and then absorb everything I possibly could at night .”
Leading Ladies South Australia chair , Brynja Berndsen , hosted the event , saying “ from empowering networking breakfasts to yoga sessions , webinars , cocktail nights and so much more , the Leading Ladies of Real Estate initiative has been inspiring women from across the real estate industry to connect and thrive in a male-dominated industry since it began .”
The keynote speaker of the night was former journalist , Jess Adamson . Jess has had a career in the media spanning 30 years , starting in smaller publications before getting her break at Channel 7 at 25 .
After being made redundant during COVID , Jess pivoted to owning her own media business , where she ’ s spent the last couple of years hosting and MCing .
“ Leaving Channel 7 was the best thing that could have happened ,” she said . “ The door didn ’ t close . It opened to let me walk free and give me this opportunity to learn and feel empowered .”
Matt Lindblom , Ray White SA CEO and Leading Ladies ally , asked “ what can we do better , how do you navigate the bias ?”
“ Put inspiring women together ,” Ms Adamson said . “ Women can empower each other . Call it out . That goes for the men too . Be true to yourself . Don ’ t lose your identity along the way .”
Nikita Thota from DiJones Real Estate said she loved hearing stories from women in the room about how they got to where they are today .
“ I think as women we need to be put in more rooms like this , surrounded by other inspirational and driven women ," Nikita said .
Leanne Pilkington , Co-owner and CEO of Laing + Simmons also enjoyed the night .
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“ I love hearing from inspirational women who are doing well in the industry and it was so great to hear their stories tonight ," she said .
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