“The stakes are higher”: REIACT CEO Maria Edwards on representing an entire industry

Heading an institute responsible for raising the standards of an entire industry and its standing in the broader community is no mean feat.

Just ask Maria Edwards, who in January 2023 stepped into the role of chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT), the leading professional body established to enhance the standard of education, knowledge, professional development and business practices for its members.

Having served on the board for several years before that, Edwards knew she would be taking on the biggest level of responsibility she had experienced in her career, and was determined to continue the “amazing work” of the outgoing chief executive, Michelle Tynan.

“I wanted to build on that [legacy] to ensure the ongoing viability of the institute [so] our members would continue to receive meaningful advocacy to support their businesses,” she says. “We have welcomed many new, and some returning, members to the institute, as well as increased our representation in areas such as the strata sector. 

“My goal was to get 95 per cent of active agencies within the industry as members of REIACT and we are well on our way to achieving this.”

Edwards believes increased membership offers a “powerful and united voice for advocacy, particularly in an election year”. 

One area she is committed to addressing is increasing the available workforce to counter shortages, particularly in property management.

“We have made this a priority in our research, marketing and education,” Edwards says. “This is a challenge across Australia in many workforces. However, unless we take proactive steps, the industry will be left behind.”

As someone who has worked in the finance and property sectors for more than 20 years, Edwards says she has found herself the only female in a “boys club” more than once. At times confronting, she also felt it necessary to earn the right to manufacture a flexible workplace and create balance in stages of her life where family priorities were more demanding.

“These days it’s an accepted practice,” she says.

Reflecting on the gains and challenges highlighted by International Women’s Day, celebrated globally today, Edwards says she would like to see female representation in real estate centred more actively on the professionalism, creativity and expertise of women in the industry.

“Female real estate agents come from all walks of life, ages, nationalities and life experiences, so the physical representation in the media should recognise and promote this,” she says.

While Canberra’s population is multicultural and celebrated, Edwards says there is an under-representation of females in the industry, particularly in leadership roles.

“My view is, women in leadership positions have a unique opportunity to provide safe spaces for those newer to the industry to have rewarding long-term careers through the various stages of their lives,” she says. 

“Through representation at the top levels, younger women can avoid being pigeonholed into administration and assistant roles. They are also able to break free from the traditional management roles of overseeing mainly female teams.”

Edwards believes women will better achieve success and thrive in their careers if they have the support of female-centric management.

“That way the flexibility required to balance the competing personal and professional priorities can come from a genuine place of understanding – not simply because it is legislated,” she says.

“The most recent revelations around the continuing gender pay gap is yet another reason that female leadership is essential – to expose and remedy this inequity that comes from the devaluing of the contribution of women in the workforce.”

When asked what she would tell the next generation of women thinking about entering real estate as a career path, Edwards says the harder you work, the more you will be rewarded.

“There is a wide range of job opportunities so you can set yourself up to continually learn and pivot to new areas of interest that work around your personal life – I am living proof of that,” she says.

“This industry can give you a deep understanding of the mechanics of home purchasing whether it’s your first home or you’re building an investment portfolio – it can save [and make] you many thousands of dollars over your lifetime.”

Edwards says she is enjoying the journey.

“Every day is different and there are always a number of projects going on at any one time,” she says. “This is not dissimilar to other jobs I have had in the past, but the responsibility to represent an industry, rather than an individual [or individual company] means the stakes are higher. I am loving the challenge, though!”

This article is part of Allhomes’ Spotlight Series for International Women’s Day 2024, recognising influential women in Canberra real estate who are creating positive change for the industry and the broader community.