Collaboration, networking and authenticity have all helped drive Romilly Madew’s success in the green building movement.
Next week, she’ll share such lessons with the world, when she takes an LA stage in front of 20,000 people at the GreenBuild conference and presents on what she’s learnt breaking through in a male-dominated field.
As CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, Madew has overseen the organisation’s massive expansion from just a handful of employees, to one that’s positioned Australia as a leader in green star ratings. Since taking on the role a decade ago, she’s seen more than 1,300 projects achieve Green Star ratings in Australia, and 30% of our office space move to Green Star certification.
We ask the finalist in our Agenda Setter category at the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards how she does it, as well as what drives her passion for sustainability.
How and when did you first get excited and passionate about sustainability?
My family has always been socially aware, and one of my earliest art projects at school explored the impact of uranium mining. Then, when I was on a agriculture excursion while I was at University studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics, we visited a Landcare project. This led me to focus my thesis on a cost-benefit analysis of a Landcare project in western NSW. I had to push my Professor to be allowed to cover this topic because at the time he didn’t think it was relevant. My interest was further piqued when I became the Executive Director of the Property Council ACT in 2002 and put my hand up to oversee what was then a nascent sustainability movement nationally for the Property Council. I have been working in the field ever since – for 14 years.
Tell us how you’ve been able to combine that passion for sustainability with leadership? How did you first get involved with the GBCA?
From the Property Council, I was seconded to the Green Building Council to support its federal advocacy agenda, as I was based in Canberra. I then had our third child, Nathaniel. I was asked to write a business case for green building, which was a perfect opportunity to balance a brand new baby with an interesting project. The Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings was the first publication of its kind in Australia, and really helped to spur on the sustainability movement in Australia. Shortly afterwards, I was appointed CEO of GBCA in 2006. I didn’t really understand that I was considered a leader or that I needed to be conscious of my leadership until I won the NSW then National Telstra Business Women’s Awards (Community & Government category) in 2009. This was a game changer. I was being asked to present on a wide range of topics outside the property sphere – from leadership to how I juggled being a working mother. I realised I had the power to use my voice and the broader networks I was engaging with to prosecute our agenda – and to transform the built environment for everyone.
Collaboration is a significant part of your job, and your role in driving sustainable building, do you have any tips for other women on how to do collaboration well?
Network – network – network. And after that participate. Join committees, put your hand up, speak at conferences, host a table at a business lunch, invite colleagues to an event, use your business cards, be on social media, share information, have an opinion, connect with people on LinkedIn. I have so many tips – and many of them are about daring to put yourself out there.
Collaboration is also key – be genuine, share, keep it real. People can spot inauthenticity, so don’t be afraid to be yourself.
What personally drives your passion and your desire to set a new agenda when it comes to sustainability and green buildings in Australia?
The industry, the opportunity and the innovation happening right now. Last week I spoke at the topping out ceremony of Lendlease’s International House Sydney – the largest timber commercial office building in the world. Our industry is so exciting to work with – people keep pushing the boundaries, taking risks, sharing their mistakes and creating places people want to work and live. When it comes to building a sustainable future, there are more people in our industry who get it than don’t – and the naysayers are drowned out by the leaders. This provides us with so many success stories to share with others – and my role as a storyteller is one of the most rewarding.
Next week you’re presenting at GreenBuild. What will your session involve? What’s exciting about the conference?
To start with, the size and scale of the conference is mind-blowing – more than 20,000 people attend the conference, making it the largest gathering of green building specialists in the world. My session is all about storytelling – and I’ll be sharing some of the leadership lessons I’ve learnt away as I’ve smashed through the barriers of a male-dominated industry. I’m excited!