In the dynamic realm of retail property, women are increasingly making their mark, reshaping landscapes and redefining industry standards. In this special SCN feature, we invited nine trailblazing women who are at the forefront of the property industry. From leasing to funds management, customer and asset management, these leaders exemplify resilience, creativity and expertise in their respective domains. Their journeys and experiences not only inspire but also challenge traditional narratives, paving the way for future generations…
Ruth Jothy is Head of Asset Management at Elanor Investors Group, where she manages a diverse portfolio spanning retail, office, healthcare and industrial properties. Ruth played a crucial role in the recent acquisition of Challenger’s real estate portfolio and now oversees all asset management services within Elanor’s real estate business. With more than 20 years of experience, Ruth has held leadership positions at HMC Capital, Aventus, Sydney Airport, Scentre Group and Westfield.
Tell us about your career path and how you started in retail property?
While completing my MBA, one of my cohort members was from the property industry. Her enthusiasm and passion for this dynamic and ever-changing industry rubbed off on me and ultimately inspired me to change careers. As generous as she was with her enthusiasm, she also was with her network and helped me on my way.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s fair to say that when I started in property in 2006, there weren’t many senior women and even fewer from a culturally diverse background.
Back then, women were questioned about ‘resilience’, insinuating that we might not cope with the kind of change that comes with the territory and is expected of us.
I’ll never forget one Monday morning when my leader asked me, “How was the weekend?” To which I replied, “Great, thanks. I enjoyed going to the beach.” He laughed, saying, “Not you, how was the weekend at the centre?” At the time, I was mortified to have presumed he would ask me about my weekend. This is the perfect example of why most women find it hard to be themselves and I am no exception. However, the shift in the diversity agenda helped me find my voice and get comfortable with who I am and what I bring to the table. I hope the next generation of women doesn’t experience as many outdated mindsets and can confidently bring their whole selves to the workplace.
Capital Food Market, ACT
What are your proudest achievements?
At a previous employer, I worked with a colleague to establish the women’s networking group connect – a female-positive group of employees gathering to create role-modelling, outline career pathways and generate networking opportunities. The creation of the group was initially inspired by an article I read, which explained that unless women are exposed to role models that they can relate to, they will struggle to ascend the corporate ranks. The organisation had many inspiring women, and it seemed like a fantastic opportunity to connect existing and emerging leaders. I’m proud to say that the group became more impactful than I could have imagined and existed for many years, connecting and supporting the growth and development of many women. The connections to that network are still alive and active for me today.
What is the best piece of advice you received?
When she was in Year 4, my daughter wrote a speech titled, I Own My Happiness. She spoke about how everyone faces disappointments and setbacks, but ultimately, no person, recognition, or material item can ever influence your happiness. It must come from within and is a state of mind. She taught me that my happiness is a choice and one I’m in control of every single day. I’m genuinely inspired by how brave and thoughtful the next generations of women are and what we can learn from one another.
What makes a good leader?
Amazing leaders are great listeners, open-minded, curious, kind, brave and share responsibility, but also willing to make the hard, sometimes confronting decisions. But, most importantly, a good leader creates powerful teams. They empower not only individuals to excel but also the collective, fostering excellence together. They construct teams that support one another unconditionally, enjoying the journey and celebrating victories together. These teams exhibit seamless collaboration, where members can step up or step in as required, empowered by strong communication and mutual respect.
What motivates you to keep going?
When I’m faced with challenging circumstances, I focus on asking myself: How will I feel when I complete this hurdle and what will I do to reward myself for making it through? Shifting the focus to succeeding stops me questioning how and if I can do it. It helps me believe that I can, even when I can’t see how.
In hindsight, it’s helpful to pause and reflect on the progress made along the journey. I’ve learned to avoid overly critiquing my actions and instead concentrate on the positives and lessons learned.
Paradise Centre, QLD
What are your top tips for the next generation of female leaders?
I am always hopeful that the next generation will have a much-improved career growth experience compared to ours. The focus on diversity in all its forms, including companies reporting on gender diversity, access to flexible working conditions and the need for diverse thinking to drive business innovation, all contribute to creating a better career path for the next generation. While there is still a long way to go, the foundations are definitely stronger than what I experienced.
I encourage women to speak up and be present, feeling confident in sharing their opinions and finding ways to be heard. My concern is that women may be more likely to utilise flexible working conditions and, as a result, become less ‘visible’ within the organisation. It is therefore imperative that they find their voice to ensure this does not impact their career growth or access to key projects.
Why is it important to encourage females into leadership roles?
Women are typically less likely to self-promote and need more encouragement to apply for promotions or leadership roles. In my own career, I’ve benefited significantly from mentors who saw more in me than I saw in myself. That gentle push can dramatically change the course of a woman’s career.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
One-third of the world’s assets are in real estate, which is unlikely to change. I believe this means that our industry will always remain relevant. However, the complexity of our industry means that machine learning, predictive analysis and generative AI will assist us greatly as we develop real estate use cases. Property executives will need to morph to become more qualitative as this shift occurs.
The other exciting aspect is that sustainability and social responsibility are increasingly becoming key drivers in real estate decision-making. Innovations such as green building practices, renewable energy integration and community engagement are already shaping the future landscape of our industry, as can be seen in our recent Capital Food Market project in Belconnen, ACT. These present a wealth of opportunities for innovation and growth, and I am excited to see how this evolution unfolds.
Are there any goals (personal or professional) you’re currently working on?
I recently transitioned from purely responsible for retail and mixed-use to a newly created multi-sector role overseeing all real estate asset management. It’s a huge and exciting shift in responsibility, with much more stakeholder engagement. The move to functional from sectoral management is about creating efficiencies, and we’re in the transitional phase right now. Having previously worked in commercial, industrial and healthcare real estate, I’m keen to integrate the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from my previous roles into this new position. I will focus on enhancing the stakeholder experience, fostering collaborative relationships across our organisation, streamlining practices and embedding sustainable practices into our business fabric.
On a personal level, I’m committed to continuous learning and professional development. I aspire to contribute positively to our industry’s ongoing evolution and growth.
This exclusive SCN feature is shared with the industry with thanks to Redpath Partners
Premium members can view the full feature in the latest edition of SCN magazine
