The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) has named Deb Palmer, National Programs Manager, QIC Real Estate, as the 2022 winner of the prestigious Frank Lowy Fellowship.

The Fellowship was established in recognition of the contribution made by Sir Frank Lowy AC to the Australian shopping centre industry. Launched in 2016, the Fellowship is awarded to an emerging leader in the shopping centre industry who has demonstrated distinction in their professional field and a commitment to industry excellence.

Deb Palmer’s nomination was supported by Michael O’Brien, Managing Director, QIC Real Estate. Palmer is a highly competent risk and compliance specialist who manages QIC’s risk policies and procedures to limit business risk exposure. She spearheaded Project Safe-Guard — a first-of-its-kind initiative for Australian shopping centres that significantly reduces the likelihood of self-harm and security breach incidents before they occur, using leading-edge technology and sophisticated camera analytics.

Anthony Mellowes, Chairman of the SCCA and CEO of SCA Property Group, said that the 2022 Fellowship received a diverse range of nominations which highlighted the innovation and excellence rising through the ranks in the shopping centre industry.

“I congratulate Deb on winning the 2022 Frank Lowy Fellowship. Deb joins the Fellowship alumni who have all been recognised for their excellence and outstanding contribution to the shopping centre industry,” said Mellowes.

“The judging panel was impressed with Deb’s leadership and innovative work in relation to the important and sensitive societal issue of self-harm prevention”.

“I also acknowledge all of our nominees, representing a wide range of fields across our industry ranging from centre management, to design and construction, leasing, marketing, risk, technology and energy and utilities.”

“The quality of the nominations reflects the depth of talent in our industry and the important role that we play in the community,” said Mellowes.

The Frank Lowy Fellowship is sponsored by Scentre Group, and the 2022 winner, Deb Palmer, will receive a grant of $20,000 to put towards continued education.

Palmer has proposed in her nomination to undertake a relevant course at the Harvard Business School.

Elliott Rusanow, CEO of Scentre Group, and SCCA Deputy Chair, said: “Scentre Group is pleased to continue to sponsor the Frank Lowy Fellowship as an important platform to recognise and reward our industry’s talent, and to also continue the legacy of Sir Frank in continually striving for excellence”.

“I congratulate Deb for being awarded this year’s Fellowship and look forward to hearing about the outcomes of her continued education,” said Rusanow.

The Fellowship is an industry initiative of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia and is proudly supported by Scentre Group

Nominees for the 2022 Frank Lowy Fellowship were evaluated by a judging panel comprised of Anthony Mellowes, Chairman of the SCCA and CEO of SCA Property Group, along with other SCCA Directors; Elliott Rusanow, Deputy Chair of the SCCA and CEO of Scentre Group; Steven Sewell, former Chair of the SCCA and CEO of Abacus Property; Rosemary Condron-Calic, National Portfolio Manager, Retail, at ISPT; and Stewart Hutcheon, Executive General Manager, Retail, Industrial and Healthcare, Dexus Property Group.

Previous winners include: (2021) Elizabeth Craig, Digital Solutions Manager, Charter Hall; (2020) Carl Woodward, Group Manager Engineering, Scentre Group; (2019) Dennis Michael, Head of Commercial Brand iQ and New Business, QICGRE; (2018) Genevieve Elliott, General Manager Data Science and Insights, Vicinity Centres and; inaugural winner (2017) Sidone Thomas, Head of Digital and Marketing, The GPT Group.