12 March 2024
From sitting in a sea of suits in the late 1990s to sitting in a sea of suits in 2024 with some now worn by women, Regis Aged Care’s new Executive General Manager Property Georgia Willis brings an innovative mindset and invaluable experience to the company. This International Women’s Day (IWD) Georgia shares invaluable insights from 25 years of working in an industry dominated by men.
Georgia said she was lucky as both her parents worked, but from her early years Georgia was inspired by her mother’s work ethic.
“My parents divorced, so I was raised by a hardworking single mother who became my role model,” Georgia said. “I learned resilience and independence and I guess you play it forward and that’s where I am today.”
When Georgia finished school there was a recession. Mortgage rates were at 19%. There were no property or development courses. It was about getting a job and she began her career in hotel management and tourism.
Now, Georgia is an accomplished Urban Development professional with more than 20 years of experience. She holds a Masters in Property and was honoured with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Women in Leadership award in 2016. She served on the UDIA’s Urban Renewal and Built Form Committee from 2018 to 2020. Her expertise in development management and financial assessments informs growth and acquisition strategies at Regis.
Georgia said while more women are entering the property sector, there’s a long way to go. With her extensive mentoring experience at UDIA, she’s met many young women priortising their career paths, finding it challenging to choose property as their profession.
“It’s not for everyone and I think you need to be a certain kind of person to progress and maintain a work-life balance and that takes work,” Georgia said. “But it’s not just unique to the development industry. It’s a lot of industries.
“You have to decide what to dedicate your time to and determine what drives your ambition.”
Georgia provides us with some of her insights this IWD:
- Know your passion: “In your career, having drive and passion is crucial. If you don’t have that, you owe it to yourself to find it.”
- Fill your bucket: “Don’t underestimate yourself by thinking it’s just a job. You’ve got to make sure it fills your bucket. Spending time in the office and engaging with passionate people leads to successful outcomes. That’s my advice, especially for women.”
- Back yourself: “It’s crucial to have confidence in yourself. Over time, I’ve observed the ‘posturing factor’ among my male colleagues. Women tend to be more honest and hesitant to seize opportunities unless they’re fully confident, but I don’t subscribe to that anymore.”
- Put your hand up: “If you’ve got the basics and feel you can deliver, put your hand up. It’s not about ticking every box. Women, perhaps due to generational norms, often feel they must fulfill every criterion before taking action, unlike men.”
- Be seen: “It’s getting a face behind the name through interactions, whether it’s just getting a coffee or casual chats with colleagues, especially senior ones. It’s important that you’re seen. Working from home, you’re not seen, so I think it’s really important to get that balance right.”
In a broader sense, Georgia said women bring a significant level of emotional intelligence to the table.
“While diversity of thought is increasingly valued by Boards, it’s essential to strike a real balance, recognising the unique perspectives and lived experiences that women offer,” Georgia said.
“From my development experience, I’ve noticed women’s pivotal role in decision-making, especially in home purchases. They consider factors beyond functionality, focusing on comfort and livability.
“It’s crucial for businesses to integrate these insights into decision-making processes.”
