Women of Collins Square
Date Published: 25th Feb 2025
This International Women’s Day, we’re recognizing the diverse experiences and contributions of women in our Collins Square community. We’ve invited members to share their career journeys, the challenges they’ve navigated, and the opportunities that have shaped them. Through their stories, we aim to foster meaningful conversations and celebrate their impact in the workplace and beyond.
Catherine Saliba – COO, Maddocks
1 - As the COO of a leading law firm, what key leadership qualities have helped you navigate your career?
As the COO of a leading law firm, the key leadership qualities that have helped me navigate my career include resilience, adaptability and effective communication. Resilience has allowed me to persevere through challenges, while adaptability has enabled me to embrace change and innovate. Effective communication has been crucial in building strong relationships and fostering collaboration within the team.
2 - Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped your journey to becoming a COO?
A defining moment in my career was when I successfully led our office move to Collins Square while simultaneously managing a major IT transformation project, which I inherited because we were in between CIOs. This period was incredibly challenging and required me to juggle multiple responsibilities. The office move to Collins Square was a significant undertaking that involved coordinating with various teams, managing logistics, and ensuring minimal disruption to our operations. At the same time, the IT transformation project was crucial for modernising our infrastructure and improving our technological capabilities. Taking on the IT transformation project was particularly daunting because it was not initially within my area of expertise. However, I embraced the challenge and quickly got up to speed with the project's requirements. I worked closely with our IT team, external consultants and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan and ensure its successful execution. Throughout this process, I learned the importance of effective delegation, clear communication and maintaining a strategic vision.
3 - What challenges (if any) have you faced as a female leader in the legal industry, and how did you overcome them?
I started off as the Financial Controller at Maddocks and then was quickly promoted to the Director of Finance at the age of 29 when the CFO at the time was retiring. I took over from a grey haired much more experienced individual. I felt at the time that I had to constantly prove my capabilities. Overcoming these challenges required a combination of self-confidence, continuous learning and seeking mentorship from other successful leaders. I was also fortunate to have a strong network around me which was instrumental in navigating this.
4 - What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in corporate law?
To young women aspiring to leadership roles, my advice is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Seek out opportunities for growth, be proactive in your career development, and don't be afraid to take risks. Surround yourself with mentors and allies who can provide guidance and support along the way.
5 - How do you think workplaces can better support and empower women to reach executive positions?
Workplaces can better support and empower women to reach executive positions by fostering an inclusive culture, providing equal opportunities for advancement and offering mentorship. Additionally, implementing policies that promote work-life balance and flexibility can help women thrive in their careers.
6 - What is your favourite book?
As for my favourite book, I would have to say is "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown. It offers valuable insights on leadership, courage, and vulnerability and provides practical advice on how to lead with empathy and authenticity. It's an inspiring read that can help anyone looking to grow as a leader.
Simone Watts – General Manager - Strategic Capital Allocation, Finance & Corporate Services, Transurban
1 - Can you tell us about your journey into the finance industry, and what were some key turning points in your career to becoming a General Manager?
I commenced my career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, spending 9 years predominately in external audit, leading engagements on global clients working in both the Australian and US offices. I then joined Telstra Media Group where I led the transition of Sensis from Telstra ownership to Platinum Equity. Following the successful sale and carve out process, I joined Sensis where I spent 5 years in various Senior Finance and Commercial roles.
I started at Transurban in 2018 and have been fortunate to have several different roles during the last 7 years, including the CFO of North America and I’m now currently the General Manager Strategic Capital Allocation, Finance, and Corporate Services. Key turning points along my journey have been when I took advantage of opportunities (in hindsight that were quite risky), including taking on a new senior role when returning from parental leave, and when I relocated to the US with my husband and 3 young children in 2023.
2 - Can you share a challenge you faced in your career and the lessons you learned from overcoming it?
My career has been male dominated, particular in my earlier stages, however there were people willing to take a chance on me, who saw I brought something different as a positive. So I think it’s incumbent on me as a leader to make sure I’m doing that and not just seeing people in the moment, but seeing what they could contribute to the business over the long term.
3 - What initiatives or policies do you think make the biggest impact in supporting women in leadership?
Supporting women in leadership requires a multi-faceted approach, combining policy changes, societal shifts, and organisational efforts. The biggest impact is ensuring leaders role model and genuinely embrace the values of equity and inclusion and promote women in leadership.
Rather than just providing equality, I had leaders who embraced equity to ensure I could continue to progress to senior leadership roles whilst starting a family. I have seen this work well when leaders have brought an open mindset and considered flexible new ways of doing things. Breaking down the barriers and disrupting the inequality of the natural bias of working females has a really positive impact in supporting women in leadership.
4 - What advice would you offer to young women who aspire to become financial executives?
I would encourage young women to make the most of opportunities and be willing to take risks and back themselves. Financial leadership isn’t just about numbers; it's also about managing teams, negotiating deals, and making decisions under pressure. Developing strong emotional intelligence (EQ) will help you navigate interpersonal dynamics and lead effectively, and from my perspective, is more important than the technical aspects of finance!
5 - What is your favourite book?
I enjoy reading books of all genres, however in the theme of International Women’s Day, thought it appropriate to share one of my favourite books, Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. It was a gift my Dad gave me early on in my career and it offers a range of insights and advice aimed at empowering women to achieve their professional and leadership goals. I found the book very insightful, and it taught me that I can have a family whilst progressing a career rather than having to choose one over the other.
Hannah Mehmet – General Manager, Collins Square
1 - Can you share your journey to becoming General Manager of Collins Square?
My career journey began while I was studying, working part-time at a real estate agency, and from there, it evolved organically. I have had the opportunity to work at both smaller firms and large global organisations, gaining valuable insights and experience at each stage. Throughout my career, the most significant influence has been the guidance and support of my mentors. Their advice and encouragement have played a pivotal role in shaping my path and helping me navigate the challenges and opportunities along the way.
2 - What has been the most rewarding challenge you've tackled in managing a large-scale precinct like Collins Square?
The most rewarding would be has been building strong, genuine partnerships and ensuring our customers have a great experience. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to connect with tenants, understand their unique needs, and create a space where they can thrive. Working closely with our partners and always keeping our customers at the heart of what we do has made it so rewarding to see how these relationships shape the community and make Collins Square such a dynamic place.
3 - What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in property and asset management?
My advice would be to embrace new challenges and step outside your comfort zone. Continue to refine your skills and learn from different leaders be it in property or other industries to form your own style, and don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Whilst the industry is one of the biggest, the network is small so you need to have strong mentorship and build your network. A lot of self-belief is also needed, you have to trust your abilities and the value you bring.
4 - What excites you most about the future of Collins Square in terms of supporting and empowering the next generation of female professionals?
Working so closely with many of our tenants, there are so many incredible female leaders within Collins Square. This excites me as it gives emerging women the opportunity to see women in these roles as something to aspire to themselves, and also provides them with the mentors they can gain advice from to grow their careers. Furthermore, we have such a diverse range of tenants – from tech and finance to creative agencies and professional services – that it is a unique and opportunistic environment for women to network, collaborate, and grow.
5 - If you could have lunch with any inspiring woman—past or present—who would it be and what would you ask her?
This would be my grandmother, she escaped Albania during wartime and spent months in refugee camps before finding safety in Australia. Looking back, I never fully appreciated the extent of her sacrifices. Rather than asking her a specific question, I would simply want to thank her for providing our family with the countless opportunities we have today.
6 - What is your favourite book?
I enjoy reading/ listening to autobiographies and one that stands out is The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger. Key take aways from Robert’s story is the way he transformed Disney, handled challenges, and stayed true to his values. It’s a great read for anyone interested in leadership and embracing change.
Emily Carroll – Group Executive, Investment Assets, Walker Corporation
1 - Can you share the pivotal moments that led you to your role as Group Executive, Investment Assets?
A defining moment was working across a diverse range of assets, each at a different phase in its investment cycle. Managing assets at varying stages - whether acquisition, development, stabilisation, or repositioning - gave me a well-rounded perspective on investment strategy and asset management. This experience strengthened my adaptability and decision-making, preparing me for the Group Executive role.
2 - What has been your proudest professional achievement at Collins Square so far, and why?
Rather than a single achievement, what I’m most proud of is seeing the collective effort of our teams in delivering excellence every day. From creating exceptional tenant experiences to driving strategic asset enhancements, it’s the dedication, innovation, and collaboration across the business that make a lasting impact. Watching our teams consistently go above and beyond to strengthen Collins Square’s reputation and provide outstanding service is incredibly rewarding.
3 - What advice would you give to young women aspiring to build a career in investment and asset management?
Embrace challenges & view obstacles as opportunities to grow and demonstrate resilience.
4 - What initiatives or cultural shifts do you believe will drive a more inclusive and equitable future for female professionals?
Creating a more inclusive and equitable future for female professionals requires strong mentorship, equal opportunities, and a commitment to fostering diverse talent at all levels.
5 - If you could have one superpower to help you at work every day, what would it be and why?
If I could possess one superpower to enhance my daily work, it would be to clone myself – just for the busy days!
6 - What is your favourite book?
One book that has had a lasting impact on me is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. Its timeless principles on communication, leadership, and relationship-building are invaluable in both professional and personal settings.