Women in Property: Tamara Heng, Lavan

The Property Council sat down with Tamara Heng, Partner in Lavan’s Property Services team to find out more about herself and her career journey.

1. What do you consider to be your greatest achievements in life? (personally or professionally)

   Professionally, my greatest achievement was being promoted to a Partner of Lavan at the age of 32.  Lavan is a proudly independent Western Australian law firm, with 26 Partners and 120 staff.  Lavan is an innovative firm that values the operational and financial benefits accruing from diversity in leadership, with the current partnership comprising of 26% women and 19% having an Asian heritage. I started my Articles with Lavan following the completion of my law degree in 2005.  

   Personally, my greatest achievement is my marriage to my husband because we are able to work together as a team, and complement each other’s strengths whilst bolstering each other through challenges.

2.  What advice would you give to future leading women in property?

   It is important to have a good mentor whom you respect and trust. They can be either inside or outside your workplace. Your mentor will help you grow your confidence, set goals, navigate your workplace successfully and expand your professional network.

3. What are the greatest challenges you have had to overcome in your career to date?

   The first year of partnership was challenging because I was required to grapple with managing the shift in responsibilities with the accountability attached to the financial performance of my team, business development and work itself.  Part of addressing the challenge was becoming used to the new normal, and navigating previously unchartered waters and also seeking the wise counsel and support of more experienced partners, whilst at the same time, acknowledging that I am continually learning and growing, which is ok.

4. What can/ should the industry be doing to promote women in industry?

   The industry should embrace and encourage women in senior leadership roles to foster and sustain diversity.  I believe increased workplace flexibility, equal remuneration and greater formal recognition of women in senior roles are key to providing positive role models for the next generation of women.

5. Did you always want to work in property, if not what were your original plans?

   I commenced my legal career with aspirations of becoming a litigation lawyer.  However, shortly after commencing at Lavan, I was fortunate enough to rotate into the Property team.  This occurred in 2006, during a property boom.  There was excitement and significant volumes of high value and large profile property transactions. This accelerated my learning. In 2008, I was awarded the Property Council of Australia (WA Division) Young Achiever of the Year. I developed a passion for property law and 11 years on, I haven’t looked back.

6. What is the next goal or project you are working towards?

   Having completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Course I am now looking for board opportunities where I can utilise my skills and developed acumen to assist organisations. 

   As a Partner of a property law practice, I am constantly honing both my technical knowledge and leadership skills, and I am keen to develop the next generation of property lawyers.

7. How did you come to be a Partner at Lavan?

   I worked in Lavan’s Property team for 10 years and was then promoted to Partner. My appointment was primarily a recognition of my commitment and contribution to the firm during that time, as well as, the potential to further build upon our Property practice as a future leader within the firm. 

8. Who have been your greatest influences, both personally and professionally?

   Professionally, the mentorship of Peter Beekink, Head of Property Services at Lavan has had the greatest influence on me. Peter is disciplined, passionate and leads by example. Peter was committed to identifying talent and finding a successor. He took me under his wing and invested time and effort into my development.

   Personally, my mother has been my greatest influence. Having been a teacher, she emphasised the importance of education as the cornerstone of discipline and learning to improving oneself. She believed in me and gave me the confidence and support to pursue my dreams.

9. What do you think are the biggest issues affecting the property industry?

   In my view, the biggest issues facing the Western Australian property industry at present is the provision of affordable housing and the uncertainty surrounding the METRONET project and land value capture.  In respect of affordable housing there is no easy solution.  It is an issue that needs to be addressed on numerous fronts. 

10. Why did you choose to be involved in the Property Council and what are your thoughts on our various diversity initiatives?

    I wanted to be involved with the Property Council as it is important for me to be at the forefront of the issues facing the industry and the Property Council is a leading industry body and advocate.

    The Property Council’s diversity initiatives such as the Property Male Champions of Change and ensuring gender diversity on their panels at events demonstrates the Property Council’s commitment to achieving an increased number of women in senior leadership within the industry thus giving women a voice on issues.

11. What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

The best advice I have been given was put your hand up for opportunities, back yourself and see the potential that others see in you.