Every woman’s journey is shaped by moments. Some big, some small. They define her path, fuel her ambition, and challenge her to push forward. This International Women’s Day (IWD), we celebrate these journeys by spotlighting the incredible women at HTW, the mentors, the leaders and the rising stars who contribute to our business and industry every day.
The 2025 IWD theme, Accelerate Action, is a powerful call to push beyond conversation and into meaningful change. It’s about removing barriers, amplifying voices, and championing progress… not just on March 8, but every day.
At HTW, we take this to heart. As part of our Women in Leadership (WIL) committee’s commitment to fostering growth and inclusion, we spoke with women from across our organisation to hear their perspectives on leadership, resilience, and what IWD means to them. Their answers reflect the collective strength and ambition that drive real change.
What advice or words of encouragement would you offer to other women who are looking to advance their careers?
Firstly; You are better than you give yourself credit for. Over my career, I have battled with bouts of imposter syndrome and loss of confidence when valuing in new markets, but after 15 plus years in the industry I have finally learnt to back myself 100% which is something I wish I had done earlier. Secondly; Starting a family does not need to be a career killer. Women have a lot of pressure to be the primary caregiver and put their work on hold if they choose to start a family but the valuation industry is the perfect option if you need a flexible working environment. You can do it all… (with a little time management and a solid support network!)What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
In all honesty I consider my ‘real’ career to be motherhood. My daughters have always been my greatest achievement in this world so far and as they are fast approaching adulthood I’m hopeful that the transition goes smoothly for all of us. That being said, there were times when they were younger that the juggling act of working and parenthood was tricky. You never want to let anybody down but sometimes there is no choice. It is challenging when the heart and head are conflicted! Being able to work at home during the Covid years was a real blessing for me. The girls could do their schooling at home and I could still work. That was a game changer for working mother’s I think.Can you share a brief overview of your career journey and how you got to where you are today?
So I got into the valuation industry because I followed an ex boyfriend into it. I started my career at the Valuer General’s Office in Perth whilst studying at Curtin University. Once I completed my degree a friend recommended I meet the small team of Herron Todd White (Perth). Here I met the likes of Brendon Ptolomey, who I consider one of my good friends and mentors. I was one of the only female valuers in the office for a very long time. I was with HTW (Perth) for 8 years before moving to HTW Melbourne. It was a changeup in Melbourne as there were female valuers as well as females in management. I was happy working as a valuer. I got to value some great suburbs in Melbourne, being Brighton, Armadale, Malvern and Caulfield North just to name a few. An opportunity came up to support the Residential directors and I became a Residential Zone Manager for a couple of years After getting through the covid times, the opportunity became available to move to Gippsland and head up the HTW office in Sale. To be honest I was looking for any role that got me out of the city of Melbourne. The joy of the HTW system is you can look to work anywhere. I needed a tree change and a change of scenery. I had gotten a dog and I wanted him to have a backyard. So that gets me to now (three years later) living and working in Traralgon, Gippsland running the Herron Todd White (Gippsland) office. It hasn’t been without its challenges, so many different and quirky properties. I get to see a beautiful part of Victoria everyday and it is pretty amazing. I am very thankful for the opportunities that came my way.What advice would you give to your younger self?
It is never too late to chase your dreams. I decided to chase my goal of becoming a property valuer by enrolling into a property degree through Deakin University when I was on maternity leave with my third child in 2018, and haven’t looked back. I would tell my younger self to follow what you love to do and find a career that you are genuinely passionate about, life is too short for anything else. Trust the process, jump in and do the work, and the results will follow.Are there any hobbies or interests outside of work that inspire you?
As much as I enjoy my professional life and working in my industry, I find myself to really appreciate the moments of life outside of work even more. I thrive from spending time with my family and children, I enjoy travelling and bringing people together through food.Have you experienced any particular challenges or biases as a woman in your field, and how have you navigated them?
I have been extremely fortunate in my career to not experience bias, however a challenge in the earlier years was attending the conferences and there being only 3 female valuers in the room – not surprising that everyone knew your name but you didn’t know them. I have always worked on the ethos that if you are the right person for the job then that will prevail rather than your gender or pushing a particular cause.What makes you feel like you are making a difference in your role or at HTW?
I feel like I’m making a difference in my role by combining my expertise in property valuation with a personal, customer-focused approach. Beyond that, I’m also passionate about mentorship, supporting colleagues in their professional growth and helping to embrace a positive and knowledgeable team environment. Seeing both clients and colleagues benefit from this makes my work incredibly fulfilling.What role can individuals (of all genders) play in accelerating action towards gender equality?
I think that all individuals should be able to voice how they feel about gender equality without the fear of reprisal. I personally think that yes equal pay for equal work (only if you have the same experience though). I believe it is unfair for someone who has decades more experience than another individual to have same pay for same job. I believe that experience should be compensated no matter the gender.What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
For me, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the incredible achievements of the women who surround us! It’s about recognising their achievements and also the work we do to support and uplift each other. I find it a day to feel inspired by women who have empowered me in my own journey, as well as to think about how I can be part of making a positive impact on those around me.How has HTW supported your career growth and development?
I have been fortunate to previously complete a program known as the Essential Leaders Program in partnership with Creating Leaders which I found extremely invaluable. I have always been supported by the directors within the Adelaide office and in more recent times by Ben Esau and Kevin Brogan. I have been extremely grateful for the mentoring and support offered by Hannah Stevens who I am working with in the National Client Team. This support has been invaluable for me in undertaking a new role particularly after a long tenure in my previous position. It has been a privilege to also be a part of the HTW Women in Leadership Committee which has the primary objective to recommend, sponsor and support strategies and actions to improve the retention and advancement of women in leadership positions across the HTW Group. This committee has received unwavering support from the HTW leadership team which is testament to the group commitment to equality.As we celebrate IWD, it’s clear that progress happens when we push forward, support one another, and challenge the status quo.
At HTW, our Women in Leadership (WIL) committee is committed to creating an environment where women’s voices are heard, their ambitions are encouraged, and their careers are supported. Whether through mentorship, leadership opportunities, or simply fostering a workplace culture where everyone is valued, we know that accelerating action starts from within.
This IWD, we celebrate the bold, the ambitious, the resilient, and the trailblazers, the women at HTW who inspire action and drive change every single day. Their stories remind us that while we’ve come a long way, there’s still more to do… and together, we can accelerate progress for the next generation.
Together, we accelerate action.
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