Why these women are an inspiration to all of us
The property conveyancing industry in Australia is driven by a workforce that is predominantly female. There are numerous reasons for this but in a profession that is complex, requires meticulous attention to detail, and a massive dose of empathy, it’s both appropriate and richly deserved that we call out the outstanding contribution made by the women inside it.
THEY come from diverse backgrounds; their businesses serve different markets; and yet the women representing the face and the voice of Australian conveyancing are unified in their purpose.
The professional journeys of Queensland’s Melissa Warbrick and Rebecca Petroff, the ACT’s Katina Romano, and Michelle Kent and Felicity McAllan are pictures of remarkable achievement, selflessness, and boundless energy.
They are studies of inspiration and now they are inspiring others.
Each is committed to giving back. They mentor. They invest in and grow the people in their orbit. That’s because each had guardians in their corner as they rose through the ranks.
On the back of International Women’s Day which this month promoted inclusive work cultures, the passion and commitment of Michelle, Melissa, Felicity, Rebecca, and Katina are celebrated.
Conveyancing is a profession whose workforce is predominantly women. International Women’s Day on March 8 was a significant and necessary acknowledgment.
To understand exactly what it means, and to tell this story, The Australian Conveyancer Magazine carefully curated a representative slice – leaders and innovators. We counselled widely and spoke with peers to validate our choice for 2024.
Melissa Warbrick, Chief Executive of highly successful Brisbane practice, Ownit Conveyancing describes her main purpose as building careers for young women, “whether they are entering the workforce from high school or a working mum”.
“It is my sole purpose to create an environment where they can flourish and build a career and know that they can have it all,” she said. “I was fortunate to have that in my younger years and those opportunities don’t come around often”.
Sydney-based CEO of Your Move Conveyancing, Felicity McAllen says the mentoring he received “by two incredible women” when entered the industry has embraced those values in her own leadership these days.
“We are committed to inclusivity around the firm, ensuring everyone has equal opportunity, and empowering our staff to lead and achieve what’s possible for them.”
For Coronis and Sunstate Conveyancing’s Rebecca Petroff, hers was a story of ground-up transformation.
“I was 21 years old when I arrived at Coronis and not the person I am today. I was in a lot of debt, I didn’t know what I was doing with my future,” she said.
“I’m so lucky to have had so many mentors to mould me and push me to the next level.
“They taught me that there is no limit to how much I can achieve in one lifetime, the company’s director of Conveyancing said.
For Michelle Kent, principal of Kent Conveyancing and immediate past president of the peak industry body, the Australian Institute of Conveyancers, family is her primary source of motivation and inspiration.
“We all have our own personal drivers when it comes to our career. Tapping into those and ensuring that each day we are being honest to ourselves and to our family is critical,” she said.
“For me, my WHY is my children and our industry. I care about our industry; and I care about my teammates at work.”
Katina Romano, the head of marketing and customer engagement at Canberra’s LegalX says the conveyancing industry is a good and natural fit for professional women.
“I feel like this is a really good industry for women to be in because of the work-like flexibility it offers. They can go off and have children, then come back, maybe work from home.
“We always try to make them feel safe,” she said.
The Australian Conveyancer Magazine sat with Michelle, Katina, Melissa, Rebecca and Felicity to talk of their experience, then spoke with their peers to round out the story of their remarkable contributions to the profession.
