The secret to super-charged networking

The secret to powerful networkingNew industry insights and powerful networking opportunities were just two of the unexpected benefits of the Property Council’s 100 Women in Property program, says The GPT Group’s Diona Rae and Natalie Wray.Natalie Wray (pictured), The GPT Group’s risk and audit director, was one of the first participants in the oversubscribed 100 Women in Property program last year, which paired established leaders with emerging female talent.Program participants gained access to sponsors’ networks to enhance their own visibility within the industry and develop future career opportunities. Natalie Wray, who moved into the property industry from Macquarie Group in 2013, says the program had a “big impact” on raising her profile – both internally and throughout the broader industry.”The networking opportunities – and the chance to meet people in the industry beyond the risk and audit specialisations – have been really valuable,” she says.Natalie’s sponsor, The GPT Group’s chief risk officer Diona Rae, says taking part in the program also gave her the chance to raise her profile within the property sector, and expand her network beyond the ‘usual suspects’.”Working in risk and audit, Natalie and I are not at the front line and aren’t as visible as people in other areas of our organisation. Any opportunity that can raise our profile and improve our connections with the industry is important,” Diona Rae says.Diona says one of the surprising benefits was the insights she gained into the industry.”Coming from a banking and finance background, I learnt a lot more about how the industry works. For example, I didn’t realise how many active industry committees are available. Both Natalie and I walked away from our first 100 Women in Property event with a new understanding of how we can get involved.”Natalie Wray now sits on the Property Council’s NSW Diversity Committee, and is working on a new initiative, Girls in Property Week, which is expected to come to fruition later in the year. “I’m excited to be making this contribution – something I wouldn’t be doing if it wasn’t for the 100 Women in Property program,” Natalie adds.An initiative of the Property Council’s state-based diversity committees, 100 Women in Property is being sponsored by The GPT Group in 2017. Both women are proud of their company’s commitment to diversity, and Diona says it’s driven from the top down.”Our CEO Bob Johnston is a Property Male Champion of Change, and the senior leadership team is committed to improving diversity throughout the organisation.”We are now championing 100 Women in Property internally, and are keen to maintain the momentum. We established an amazing network in 2016, and want to see it grow.”Nominations for the 2017 100 Women in Property program will be open from 13 February. Learn more about the Property Council’s 100 Women in Property program or check out the #DiversityDelivers video.