Our people

A dedicated team of female staff and volunteers support WPI, spanning operations, tenancy and property management, property development, finance, communications, and administration.

Women’s Property Initiatives

Women’s Property Initiatives is a non-profit company, limited by guarantee, managed by a voluntary board of women from the private, government, community and academic sectors.

We are also advised by the talented and generous individuals who are part of our Advisory Panel, bringing skills from a wide range of areas including development, property, finance, legal, planning and communications.

Our Board

Katie Struthers

Chair

Katie is a Chartered Accountant with over 19 years’ experience in professional practice advising clients in a number of industries and sectors both in Australia and the UK. She is currently a Partner in Assurance at Ernst and Young, one of the Big Four professional services firms. Katie has strong technical accounting knowledge, as well as a risk management focus and a deep understanding of the role, workings and challenges of boards and committees. She brings significant experience in financial management, risk management and governance.

Katie Struthers

Chair

Katie is a Chartered Accountant with over 19 years’ experience in professional practice advising clients in a number of industries and sectors both in Australia and the UK. She is currently a Partner in Assurance at Ernst and Young, one of the Big Four professional services firms. Katie has strong technical accounting knowledge, as well as a risk management focus and a deep understanding of the role, workings and challenges of boards and committees. She brings significant experience in financial management, risk management and governance.
Debra Mika

Vice Chair

Debra has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the financial services sector and was previously Chief of Staff at Aware Super. She has applied her leadership, analytical and financial skills to lead significant strategic programs in several organisations. She has led a wide variety of functional areas including strategy, policy, corporate affairs, project delivery and technology. Debra holds a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Debra Mika

Vice Chair

Debra has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the financial services sector and was previously Chief of Staff at Aware Super. She has applied her leadership, analytical and financial skills to lead significant strategic programs in several organisations. She has led a wide variety of functional areas including strategy, policy, corporate affairs, project delivery and technology. Debra holds a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Sejla Kadric

Treasurer

Sejla is a Partner at SW Accountants & Advisors and has 17 years’ experience in providing accounting, tax and business advisory services to a broad range of businesses. Sejla specialises in advising property developers and property investors on complex commercial, financial and tax matters. Over the past seven years, she has lent her expertise to a number of significant development projects, totalling a combined value of approximately $2.5 billion. Sejla is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Business (Swinburne University). Sejla is also an active Committee member of the Property Council of Australia (Academy, Property Development).

Sejla Kadric

Treasurer

Sejla is a Partner at SW Accountants & Advisors and has 17 years’ experience in providing accounting, tax and business advisory services to a broad range of businesses. Sejla specialises in advising property developers and property investors on complex commercial, financial and tax matters. Over the past seven years, she has lent her expertise to a number of significant development projects, totalling a combined value of approximately $2.5 billion. Sejla is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Business (Swinburne University). Sejla is also an active Committee member of the Property Council of Australia (Academy, Property Development).
Michelle McNally

Director

Michelle has a Bachelor of Business (Property) and is a Certified Practicing Valuer. Michelle is currently CEO of Aware Real Estate and has over 25 years’ experience in the property industry, leading teams, delivering results and building quality relationships with a large range of stakeholders including executives, investors, customers and service partners. Michelle offers a highly developed strategic approach to the management of Aware Real Estate, the property investment platform responsible for the strategic performance and management of Aware Super’s directly owned Australian property portfolio. Michelle has extensive experience in commercial services, investment strategy and asset management, including senior roles at Australia Post, ISPT and JLL. She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a committee member of Property Council of Australia.

Michelle McNally

Director

Michelle has a Bachelor of Business (Property) and is a Certified Practicing Valuer. Michelle is currently CEO of Aware Real Estate and has over 25 years’ experience in the property industry, leading teams, delivering results and building quality relationships with a large range of stakeholders including executives, investors, customers and service partners. Michelle offers a highly developed strategic approach to the management of Aware Real Estate, the property investment platform responsible for the strategic performance and management of Aware Super’s directly owned Australian property portfolio. Michelle has extensive experience in commercial services, investment strategy and asset management, including senior roles at Australia Post, ISPT and JLL. She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a committee member of Property Council of Australia.
Nicole Lowndes

Director

Nicole is an engineer whose professional experience includes 14 years with ExxonMobil across strategy, commercial, and technical roles, and earlier work in residential construction. She currently leads the Gippsland Pipelines Asset, managing the integrity of licensed oil and gas pipelines both offshore and onshore. Nic is an experienced director, previously serving as Deputy Chair and Governance Chair on the board of a member-owned credit union, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Nicole Lowndes

Director

Nicole is an engineer whose professional experience includes 14 years with ExxonMobil across strategy, commercial, and technical roles, and earlier work in residential construction. She currently leads the Gippsland Pipelines Asset, managing the integrity of licensed oil and gas pipelines both offshore and onshore. Nic is an experienced director, previously serving as Deputy Chair and Governance Chair on the board of a member-owned credit union, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Eleanor Kwak

Director

Eleanor has a Bachelor of Laws and 20 years’ experience practicing as a real estate lawyer. She leads the Melbourne real estate team at Johnson Winter Slattery where she advises on a broad range of real estate transactions including social and affordable housing projects. Eleanor is also the current Chair of the Property Council Victoria’s Social Infrastructure Committee. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Eleanor Kwak

Director

Eleanor has a Bachelor of Laws and 20 years’ experience practicing as a real estate lawyer. She leads the Melbourne real estate team at Johnson Winter Slattery where she advises on a broad range of real estate transactions including social and affordable housing projects. Eleanor is also the current Chair of the Property Council Victoria’s Social Infrastructure Committee. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jennifer Marks

Director

Jennifer has over 25 years of experience leading teams in property development and construction. She has a double degree in Engineering (Civil) and Business, a Graduate Diploma in Property and is currently the Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for the school of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) at RMIT. Jennifer is a also graduate of the Melbourne Business School and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jen currently leads the Industrial Property team at Coles, supporting the supply chain operations and distribution network strategy. Prior to that Jen was Director of Strategy at Built working closely with the board to develop & execute the corporate strategy and leading government relations and social impact.

Jennifer Marks

Director

Jennifer has over 25 years of experience leading teams in property development and construction. She has a double degree in Engineering (Civil) and Business, a Graduate Diploma in Property and is currently the Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for the school of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) at RMIT. Jennifer is a also graduate of the Melbourne Business School and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jen currently leads the Industrial Property team at Coles, supporting the supply chain operations and distribution network strategy. Prior to that Jen was Director of Strategy at Built working closely with the board to develop & execute the corporate strategy and leading government relations and social impact.
Roberta Buchanan

CEO, Company Secretary

Roberta has an MBA and a discipline in Housing Studies and has extensive experience in working with boards and teams to execute strategic plans. Prior to joining WPI, Roberta was the Executive Director, Housing Solutions at Launch Housing and the Chief Operating Officer at Housing Choices Australia. An advocate for community housing, Roberta is a board member and secretary at Community Housing Industry of Victoria.

Roberta Buchanan

CEO, Company Secretary

Roberta has an MBA and a discipline in Housing Studies and has extensive experience in working with boards and teams to execute strategic plans. Prior to joining WPI, Roberta was the Executive Director, Housing Solutions at Launch Housing and the Chief Operating Officer at Housing Choices Australia. An advocate for community housing, Roberta is a board member and secretary at Community Housing Industry of Victoria.

Our Advisory Panel

Kerri Balci

Project Director – Stockland

Professional background: Almost two decades of experience leading and managing high performing teams of varied scale and capability across a broad array of industries from property and construction to retail and fast moving consumer goods.

Skills and experience: Experience in all aspects of property development, project management, strategy, marketing and sales with senior roles in Australia with 16 years in a diverse range of senior roles at Stockland.

Kerri Balci

Project Director – Stockland

Professional background: Almost two decades of experience leading and managing high performing teams of varied scale and capability across a broad array of industries from property and construction to retail and fast moving consumer goods.

Skills and experience: Experience in all aspects of property development, project management, strategy, marketing and sales with senior roles in Australia with 16 years in a diverse range of senior roles at Stockland.
Simone Holding

Partner, Construction & Projects – Maddocks

Professional Background: Lawyer – Construction and Development

Skills and experience: Extensive transactional expertise in the area of property and construction projects. Drafting and negotiation of development agreements, construction contracts and consultant agreements.

Simone Holding

Partner, Construction & Projects – Maddocks

Professional Background: Lawyer – Construction and Development

Skills and experience: Extensive transactional expertise in the area of property and construction projects. Drafting and negotiation of development agreements, construction contracts and consultant agreements.
Anne Jolic

Head of Development, Lend Lease Retirement Living

Professional background: Project Management and Business Strategy in the Property Development Sector.

Relevant Skills and experience: Managing large multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex projects; developing business strategy and processes and developing residential, commercial, retail and retirement projects across Australia.

Anne Jolic

Head of Development, Lend Lease Retirement Living

Professional background: Project Management and Business Strategy in the Property Development Sector.

Relevant Skills and experience: Managing large multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex projects; developing business strategy and processes and developing residential, commercial, retail and retirement projects across Australia.
Mark Healy

Director – Six Degrees Architects

Professional Background: Architecture

Skills and Experience: Design, Construction and Project Management

Mark Healy

Director – Six Degrees Architects

Professional Background: Architecture

Skills and Experience: Design, Construction and Project Management
Paul Ellis

Special Counsel – Maddocks Lawyers

Professional background: Lawyer: corporate and commercial

Skills and experience: substantial experience in the establishment and governance of charities and not-for-profits, commercial agreements for supply of goods and services and advising on consumer credit, privacy and consumer law.

Paul Ellis

Special Counsel – Maddocks Lawyers

Professional background: Lawyer: corporate and commercial

Skills and experience: substantial experience in the establishment and governance of charities and not-for-profits, commercial agreements for supply of goods and services and advising on consumer credit, privacy and consumer law.
Sandra Rigo

Director – Hansen Partnership

Professional background: A Director of Hansen Partnership, Sandra is a Town Planner with over 25 years of experience in statutory and strategic planning, in both the private and local government sectors.

Sandra’s experience encompasses all elements of the development approvals process from initial site choice, to a collaborative design process and finally navigating the statutory process to gain planning approval.

Skills and experience: Sandra’s experience extends to strategic planning projects, including built form reviews, urban character studies, structure plans and urban design framework plans. Her responsibilities in these projects include the coordination and conduct of community consultation programs and writing planning policies and controls.

Sandra Rigo

Director – Hansen Partnership

Professional background: A Director of Hansen Partnership, Sandra is a Town Planner with over 25 years of experience in statutory and strategic planning, in both the private and local government sectors.

Sandra’s experience encompasses all elements of the development approvals process from initial site choice, to a collaborative design process and finally navigating the statutory process to gain planning approval.

Skills and experience: Sandra’s experience extends to strategic planning projects, including built form reviews, urban character studies, structure plans and urban design framework plans. Her responsibilities in these projects include the coordination and conduct of community consultation programs and writing planning policies and controls.
Carolyn Viney

Chief Executive Officer – Assemble

Professional background: Leadership and executive roles in investment management and property development including Chief Executive Officer of Super Housing Partnerships, a specialist investment manager focused on providing institutional investors with large scale investment opportunities in affordable housing, Chief Development Officer at ASX listed Vicinity Centres and CEO at builder-developer Grocon.

Skills and experience: Property development, strategic direction setting and driving cultural and operational change. Carolyn’s work in championing better housing opportunities for more Australians extends beyond the office; she is a member of Commonwealth’s Government’s National Housing Supply and Affordability Council and also serves on the Boards of the Big Issue and Homes for Homes

Carolyn Viney

Chief Executive Officer – Assemble

Professional background: Leadership and executive roles in investment management and property development including Chief Executive Officer of Super Housing Partnerships, a specialist investment manager focused on providing institutional investors with large scale investment opportunities in affordable housing, Chief Development Officer at ASX listed Vicinity Centres and CEO at builder-developer Grocon.

Skills and experience: Property development, strategic direction setting and driving cultural and operational change. Carolyn’s work in championing better housing opportunities for more Australians extends beyond the office; she is a member of Commonwealth’s Government’s National Housing Supply and Affordability Council and also serves on the Boards of the Big Issue and Homes for Homes
Kelly Jones

Marketing and Operations Manager – Property Council Academy

Professional background: A a dedicated leader with broad experience in the learning and development sector, Kelly has eighteen years of direct experience in shaping and building several professional development programs for the Property Council Academy. Sourcing training solutions and building new avenues for growth, this skill set has resulted in positive commercial outcomes, increased engagement, and successful marketing campaigns for the business. As a senior leader within the property industry, Kelly has been responsible for significant stakeholder management and adapted to a constantly evolving market, achieving outstanding results whilst delivering a first-class experience..

Kelly Jones

Marketing and Operations Manager – Property Council Academy

Professional background: A a dedicated leader with broad experience in the learning and development sector, Kelly has eighteen years of direct experience in shaping and building several professional development programs for the Property Council Academy. Sourcing training solutions and building new avenues for growth, this skill set has resulted in positive commercial outcomes, increased engagement, and successful marketing campaigns for the business. As a senior leader within the property industry, Kelly has been responsible for significant stakeholder management and adapted to a constantly evolving market, achieving outstanding results whilst delivering a first-class experience..

The WPI team

Roberta Buchanan

Chief Executive Officer
Lucy Simms

Chief Commercial Officer
Kim Pham

Chief Financial Officer
Tanya Gardiner

Finance Manager
Meg George

Asset Manager
Karina Carroll

Operations Manager
Lucy Lyon

Project Assistant
Lesley Beaumont

Tenancy and Property Manager
Mandi Hardcastle

Tenancy and Property Manager
Kylie Hudson

Tenancy and Property Manager
Sally Martin

Communications Manager
Sue Mann

Office Organisation Assistant
Lyn Bastin

Finance Officer
Finance Officer

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