From Late Night Data Entry to Life Member: Cath’s Strata Story

How did you first come to work in strata?

I actually found my way into strata almost by accident. At the time, I was eight months pregnant and working evenings to help a Strata management company on the Sunshine Coast (a family friend of my mothers) transition all of their records into Stratamax. Before that, I’d been working in our family real estate/property business as a property manager, preparing to step away on maternity leave.

As I worked through the data, I became unexpectedly fascinated by how strata operated. The owner of the strata firm noticed my interest and took the time to talk me through the world of strata — its challenges, its purpose, and, surprisingly, its joys. Somewhere in those late-night hours, I think I fell in love with the industry.

I went home with a Ros Janes book on strata, enrolled in my Cert IV, and never looked back. Strata soon became part of our family property business, something I built steadily while raising my family. What started as a temporary task during pregnancy turned into a career that’s grown alongside both my professional life and my family.

What has kept you here — and what continues to challenge or inspire you?

What has truly kept me in this industry is the people. The colleagues I work alongside, the friendships I’ve built across the sector, and the genuine sense of community make it a place I want to stay. No two days are ever the same — every day brings a new challenge — but what’s special about strata is that the people around you feel more like trusted friends than competitors.

I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to learn from the leaders who came before me, whose passion and resilience inspired me to keep going. Today, the leaders within my own company continue to motivate me, reminding me why this work matters and why I’m excited to keep contributing to an industry that has given me so much.

Can you describe a defining moment in your strata career?

A defining moment in my career came at a conference in Darwin, when Kay Trimble unexpectedly asked me to take her place on the SCAQ Board. I had only been in the industry for a few years, but she believed the Board needed fresh perspectives — younger voices and representation from smaller, boutique firms that often didn’t have the same access or visibility as larger organisations.

She saw those smaller businesses, and the people just starting out in the industry, as the future of strata — and believed the Board needed to stay connected to what was coming next. That belief in me, and in the value of different viewpoints, changed my life.

From that day on, I wanted to make something truly meaningful of the opportunity. Being part of the industry body wasn’t just an honour; it felt like a responsibility to give back.

During my time on the Board, I took on a number of roles, including becoming the Cert IV trainer for Queensland. Today, I’m proud to be a life member, but more than any title, what stays with me is the pride I feel in how far our industry has come — and knowing I played a small part in helping shape its future.

What does leadership mean to you, and how has your style evolved over time?

Leadership, to me, is about guidance rather than control. You can’t expect people to do things exactly the way you would — but you can support them, show them the way, and help them find the confidence to make their own choices. Just as importantly, leadership means trusting people to take responsibility for those choices, whether they lead to success or to lessons learned.

I’ve always been deeply involved in my work, building my business with a clear understanding of how every part fits together and how each role contributes to the whole. As I transitioned into a larger organisation, I had to learn something new — to let go a little, to trust the people around me to know their roles and do them well. When everyone plays their part, everything flows.

Of course, there are times when we rise and times when we fall. Real leadership is about being there in both moments — especially the hard ones — helping people get back on their feet, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward. I truly believe nothing is a mistake if you take the lesson from it. Growth comes from understanding, not perfection.

What advice would you give your younger self, starting out in this industry?

I would tell my younger self that nothing is impossible. If you can imagine it, you can work your way toward it — even if the path isn’t clear at the start. I’d remind myself that confidence grows with experience, and that courage often comes after you take the first step, not before.  The journey WILL be tough - but worth it.

I’d also say this: the people you choose to surround yourself with will shape who you become. Choose those who challenge you, support you, and believe in your potential even if they are your competitors — especially on the days you doubt yourself, they will be the ones to bring you back up. With the right people around you, you don’t just succeed — you flourish.

Have you ever faced moments of self-doubt or imposter syndrome — and how did you

move through them?

Only recently did I truly experience imposter syndrome. I found myself in a room with one of the most influential developers on the Gold Coast, completely convinced I didn’t belong there. I felt out of my depth and questioned why I had even been invited into the conversation.

What stayed with me most was how perceptive and kind he was. He seemed to sense exactly how I was feeling and took the time to reassure me — not just politely, but genuinely — that my perspective mattered and that my input was important to both him and the project.

It was a powerful reminder that believing in yourself is essential, but having people around you who believe in you too can make all the difference. Sometimes, it’s that quiet vote of confidence from someone else that helps you finally see your own value.

Who has influenced or shaped your leadership journey?

I’m always conscious of not wanting to miss anyone, because I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without the incredible people who have supported and guided me along the way. Angela Fleming stands out as someone truly special — not just as a bank manager, but as a trusted confidante and genuine partner in my journey. She embodied what a relationship in relationship banking should mean. Angela supported me through some of the biggest decisions of my career, including buying my business from my family, and she helped me develop leadership tools that brought my team truly “onto the bus” with me. When the time came to sell to Bright & Duggan, her guidance through that transition was invaluable. Beyond all of that, she is simply a wonderful human being, and I’m deeply grateful for her presence in my life.

Leadership is often spoken about as a buzzword, but when you spend time with mentors like Kerri Anthon, Simon Barnard, and Con Iconomidis, you experience what real leadership feels like. Being around them is uplifting. They have an incredible ability to offer thoughtful advice and honest guidance in a way that builds you up rather than undermines your confidence — a rare and powerful skill. I will always be profoundly grateful to them, not only for what they’ve taught me professionally, but for their generosity, support, and friendship.

Today, I’m incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing leadership team who continually support and encourage my growth — even in moments when I feel I’ve already completed my journey in this industry (being a life member really does make you feel old). Just when I think I’ve learned all I can,  Emily Doherty or Chris Duggan will step in and gently challenge me, showing me new perspectives and opening the door to the next chapter of my leadership journey.

I could not be more grateful for the depth of experience, wisdom, and generosity that surrounds me every day. To be supported by people who believe in you, invest in you, and encourage you to keep growing, even at my age, is something I never take for granted. It’s a privilege to learn alongside them, and their support inspires me to keep giving my best in return.

What’s one lesson from the front line of strata that everyone should know?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not to take things to heart. In this industry, our clients often come to us carrying problems that are deeply personal to them — they’re emotionally invested, and understandably so. Part of our role is to hold that space for them, without absorbing the emotion ourselves.

When you step back and remove emotion from decision‑making, clarity follows. With calm, practical thinking, the solutions are usually there waiting to be found. By staying grounded and sensible, you’re able to truly help your clients — not just by fixing the problem, but by guiding them through it with confidence and care.

What does the future of this industry look like to you — and what role do women play in

shaping it?

I love this question because our industry has always been a little different — it’s built on people, relationships, and trust. While the future of strata is clearly moving toward greater automation and efficiency, there’s a risk that it also becomes more clinical if we’re not careful.

Women are genuine nurturers and I believe women play a vital role in shaping that future. Particularly in Queensland, where the industry is strongly female‑led, women bring balance — a softness that doesn’t dilute professionalism, but enhances it. Even as systems become more automated and processes more streamlined, there will always be a need for empathy, communication, and genuine human connection.  Not that men cant do that, but just not like a womans' touch.

Technology will undoubtedly change how we work, but women will help ensure we don’t lose the personal, approachable side of strata. That human element is what builds trust, resolves conflict, and ultimately keeps our industry grounded — no matter how advanced it becomes.

Why is it important to share our stories — and what do you hope others take from yours

Let’s be honest — this industry has undergone a significant transition. It grew out of what was once very much a “man’s world” and has evolved toward one that values equality, respect, and fairness. But it’s important that we don’t lose the stories along the way — the struggles, the resilience, and the determination it took to survive and succeed. Those experiences matter, because they hold the lessons that help shape what comes next.

I learned so much from the generation before me — from their courage, their perseverance, and their willingness to open doors that hadn’t always been easy to push through. Now, I hope I can offer the same to the next generation of strata professionals.

It’s a cycle — learning, growing, and then giving back. By sharing our stories and listening to one another, we help lift the industry forward and empower the next generation to take strata to an even higher level than we ever imagined.