Board of Directors and Committees

Penny Ransom is the Group Head of Investments at Lendlease. Lendlease is a globally integrated real estate and investment group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating strong connected communities. Lendlease has a strong history spanning over 60 years and has A$42bn of real estate funds under management.

Penny was previously Chief Investment Officer and a Group Executive at Investa.  Prior to this role, Penny led Investa’s Investment Management function, was Fund Manager of the ASX listed Investa Office Fund (IOF), Fund Manager of the diversified Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF), Head of Capital at Dexus in Sydney and Head of Equity UK/Europe at Lendlease in London.

Penny has 29 years of institutional real estate, transactional and investment management experience, and was previously at Lendlease for over 13 years.

Penny has a Bachelor of Business (Land Economics), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment and undertook the Said Business School, University of Oxford Advanced Management and Leadersip Program in 2019.

Along with being Chair of the Property Industry Foundation (PIF), Penny is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW) in Australia and is on the Board of the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) in Australia.

“I am honoured to be part of the Property Industry Foundation, bringing together strong, passionate and committed industry participants to leverage the expertise and resources of the property industry, together with financial support, to create real tangible positive impact for our homeless youth.”

Steve is a former audit partner at KPMG and led KPMG’s real estate and construction practice for 15 years.  He first joined the Foundation in 1996 and in 2010, created the Tour de PIF, a national fundraising event that sees participants from across the property and construction industry cycle, run or walk to raise funds for homeless youth. He joined the Property Foundation Board in September 2018 and he is also Chair of the NSW Board of Advisors Committee.

“I have been an active contributor to the Property Industry Foundation because I feel the property and construction industry can and has made a meaningful contribution to alleviating youth homelessness. By leveraging our skills, networks, energy and relationships, we can deliver places that homeless youth can call home. These homes provide stability and the opportunity for its occupants to learn, build confidence and have a chance to live out their dreams and make their contribution to society.”

Virginia is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of MinterEllison and is a market-leading practitioner in the property, development and infrastructure markets acting for both government and private clients.

Virginia is passionate about the property industry and is heavily involved in the Property Council of Australia (PCA) including as a member of the PCA’s National Board. Virginia is also a Board member of Committee for Sydney and chair of its Knowledge Economy Taskforce and a member of our own National Board of Directors. Her passion and knowledge bring strength to our cause, further driving the tangible difference we can make as industry professionals.

“I’m passionate about the power of the property industry to work together to build a more inclusive society. I am delighted to be working with the Property Industry Foundation, its experts and advocates to drive new and innovative solutions to the long-term social challenge of reducing youth homelessness. Through our collaborative efforts we can drive positive outcomes through the built environment, where homeless youth can feel safe, supported and provide the stability that changes young people’s lives.”

In 2021, Jane Fitzgerald became the Chief Operating Officer of the Property Council of Australia after five years as NSW Executive Director where she led the advocacy agenda at a time of enormous investment and change in the sector. Prior to her appointment, Jane was a senior executive with the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, the Deputy Director-General of the NSW Ministry for Police and chief of staff to two ministers in the NSW Government. Jane has a law degree and an arts degree majoring in politics from the University of NSW.

“As the industry that builds homes – bedrooms – for Australians in every nook and cranny of this bountiful land, we have a unique capacity to shift the dial on reducing youth homelessness. I’m constantly humbled by the generosity of property industry people – from the smallest participants to the biggest players. That’s why I’m proud to be on the Foundation’s board and to be able help Property Council members get involved. My kids have always been able to sleep safely at night. That should be a right and not a privilege for every Australian kid.”

Malcom is the Chief Executive Officer of Colliers in Australia, responsible for leading the company’s enterprising culture and values that includes always doing what is right for Colliers’s clients, people and their communities. Colliers has supported the Property Industry Foundation since 2002 and sponsored the Sydney Sailing Regatta since 2011.

“Colliers has been a proud partner of the Foundation for over 19 years now. Our longstanding partnership is a real reflection of Colliers values – to do what’s right for our clients, people and communities.

The Foundation is a powerful example of how our industry can come together and make real positive change for young Australian’s who need a helping hand.”