We are delighted to announce that Penny Kaleta has joined the Property Industry Foundation as our new State Manager, NSW, bringing with her two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership within the media industry. We talked to Penny about why she wanted to join the Foundation and what she’s planning to achieve in the role.
What were you doing prior to this role?
My experience spans metro, regional, and community media markets, with brands such as Fairfax and NINE, before joining the for-purpose sector, specialising in disadvantage youth.
Tell us a little about yourself as a person.
I’m energetic, with a real passion for life and all the adventures it brings with it. I’m a proud mother of two girls aged 7 and 11 and her dachshund cross dog Dexter. We live in Coogee and enjoy spending time at the beach and camping in national parks, our favourite spots are the south coast of NSW.
What made you want to be part of the solution to youth homelessness?
The children of Australia are our nation’s future. That 44,000 children are homeless tonight and 1 in 3 are turned away from a housing service just isn’t good enough. As a nation we need to do better. By joining the Foundation I’m hoping that, together with the property and construction industry, we can not only drive awareness of the need but also together, provide much-needed homes.
What does your new role as State Manager in NSW involve?
As the NSW State Manager, my primary goal is to foster, nurture, and expand partnerships within the property and construction industry partners , with the aim of combatting youth homelessness and mitigating its far-reaching effects. I am committed to attracting, retaining, and growing alliances with stakeholders in the sector. By working together, we can address the pressing issue of youth homelessness and make a meaningful impact on the lives of young individuals who are facing housing instability.
What is your personal vision in the role?
To use my customer focus expertise to create greater collaboration, opportunity, and engagement with our NSW partners and to be a source of support to our teams in QLD and Victoria. By doing this, we have the potential to reduce the number of young people who are currently homeless.
What are you most looking forward to in this role?
I’m looking forward to being a part of a team and industry that deeply cares about being part of the solution to youth homelessness. It’s our goal to provide 300 beds through our partnerships. We want to create affordable housing options, develop supportive services, and implement preventive measures that address the root causes of youth homelessness.
Welcome, Penny!
