29 Sep 2016
29 SEP 2016
Olivia Leal-Walker, Sustainability Coordinator with Frasers Property Australia, has been named 2016 Future Green Leader by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
The award, announced last night as part of World Green Building Week celebrations in Sydney, recognises up-and-coming sustainability specialists in the property and construction sector.
“Olivia impressed us with her hard work, passion and ability to bring people together on a sustainability journey,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew.
“She worked on Frasers Property’s Fairwater, the first 6 Star Green Star – Communities development in New South Wales, and also played a significant role in Frasers Property being awarded the global GRESB leader for Diversified Office/Industrial/Non-listed fund.
“In her role with Frasers Property, she also engages staff through organising the company wide EnviroWeek talks, World Green Building Week events and various activities as part of the company’s new sustainability strategy.
“Olivia’s passionate commitment to sustainability will inspire others to embrace sustainable thinking,” Ms Madew says.
Ms Leal-Walker was appointed at Frasers Property following an internship, and she’s a huge advocate of mentoring as a vehicle for young people to kick-start their careers. She’s keen to use her voice as the GBCA’s Future Green Leader to develop a mentoring program to support other emerging leaders.
A volunteer for a number of environmental organisations, Ms Leal-Walker recently coordinated Frasers Property’s involvement in Schools Tree Day, which engaged 75 staff volunteers, the media, and donations from 14 companies. She is also developing a social enterprise to tackle the issue of food waste on farms.
Ms Leal-Walker was chosen from a field of 14 finalists, and was selected by a judging panel after a rigorous judging process – during which nominees’ names and companies were not disclosed.
In addition, a newly-established Future Green Leaders Advisory Group was set up to shape the direction of the Future Green Leaders program. This Advisory Group consists of:
Frasers Property Australia has sponsored the award since its inception, and Paolo Bevilacqua, the company’s General Manager of Sustainability, says Ms Leal-Walker is a huge asset to his organisation’s sustainability agenda.
“Olivia is very passionate about sustainability and has a rare gift for inspiring people to get on board of a concept – whether that’s mobilising our staff for volunteering events or bringing together a project team around a common purpose to enhance the value of sustainability to our customers. She’s worked on industry-leading Green Star projects and has a very bright future ahead of her,” Mr Bevilacqua says.
“We are proud to sponsor the Future Green Leader award, not only to support our industry, but to have the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s rising sustainability stars,” Mr Bevilacqua adds.
The annual Future Green Leader receives a one-year VIP pass to unlimited GBCA events, courses, site tours and online learning, a coveted speaking spot at Green Building Day, three mentoring sessions with an industry leader plus recognition as the Future Green Leader.
In 2015 JLL’s Sustainability Analyst Lisa Hinde was presented with the award.
“The Green Building Council of Australia would like to acknowledge Frasers Property Australia for its ongoing support of this award, which is inspiring the next generation to embrace sustainability and build a better, brighter future for us all,” Ms Madew concludes.
Contact: Karen Jamal, Communications Consultant, 0412 179 135 or karen.jamal@gbca.org.au