Drive your own career

Females represent 57% of the Australian graduate population. Despite this, women continue to be significantly under-represented in senior corporate roles, occupying only 9.2% of Executive positions and 2.4% of CEO roles.  

These harsh realities were outlined by Prue Gilbert, CEO and Founder of Grace Papers, at the latest Leading Women in Property Breakfast: Creating Career Momentum. 
The event took place on Tuesday 17th April, at Allens – 480 Queen Street, Brisbane, and covered a wide range of issues affecting women, including the importance of professional development, female empowerment and the advantage of coaches or mentors in facilitating success.  

Kristy Macfarlane, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the National Australia Bank, shared her five priorities to streamline success. Among these, she encouraged women to have confidence in their abilities and learn from previous mistakes. 

While Prue Gilbert outlined several of the integral issues affecting women in the workforce: diversity, sexual harassment, discrimination and gendered career paths. 
An advocate for female empowerment, Prue explained the importance of developing a professional vision and having the confidence to drive it.

“Take responsibility and ownership for your own career,” she emphasised. 

During the panel discussion- moderated by Annabelle Aland, Managing Associate at Allens- David Rokesky, Global Human Resources Director for Turner and Townsend, reinforced Prue’s former point. Men generally sell their career to employers and take more risks he explained, “paint the picture of your career and where you want it to go.”

All panellists agreed it is crucial for both genders to drive equality in the workplace and reinforced the need for mentors to facilitate professional success. 

The Property Council would like to thank all the speakers at the event, along with Allens for their generous support in hosting the breakfast. 

Photos from the event can be accessed here. 

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