With nominations for the 2026 Women of Impact programme opening next month, Joanna den Hollander of Ngāi Tahu Property spoke with three 2025 recipients about mentorship, belonging and responsibility.
When we talk about impact in the property industry, we often focus on tangible outcomes, the successful development, the transaction completed, the asset that outperforms expectations. These achievements matter. They shape communities, create value and drive our industry forward.
But as Property Council prepares to open nominations for this year’s Women of Impact programme, I found myself reflecting on a simple question: what else can impact look like?
To explore that question, I spoke with three 2025 Women of Impact: Lauren Joyce, Anna Kennedy and Davina Henderson. While their careers span different disciplines and experiences, I was struck by a common thread. None of them defined impact through projects, titles or commercial success alone; they all spoke about people and those who have had a positive impact on their careers.
The first theme that emerged was that no successful career is built in isolation.
Each woman reflected on the individuals who recognised their potential before they did themselves. Mentors, leaders, colleagues and industry connections who offered guidance, created opportunities and advocated for them when they weren’t yet in the room.
Lauren spoke about the advocates who encouraged her to step into opportunities before she felt completely ready: “I’ve had people supporting me, providing me with opportunities and pushing me to try new roles and disciplines.”
For Anna Kennedy, one of the industry’s greatest strengths is the network of people willing to support one another. Early in her career, she attended a lunch for women in commercial property, relationships she says became an important source of advice, encouragement and confidence throughout her career.
Davina also reflected on the people who saw potential in her before she saw it herself: “They trusted me with opportunities that stretched me, advocated for me in rooms I wasn’t yet sitting in, and challenged me to think bigger.”
Their stories serve as an important reminder that careers are rarely built alone. Talent matters, but so does sponsorship. Sometimes the most significant act of leadership is simply opening a door for someone else.
The second theme was belonging.
For many people entering the property industry, particularly those from underrepresented groups, belonging can feel like something that must be earned, yet the women I spoke with described belonging in a different way.
Davina shared how she truly felt she belonged when she stopped worrying about whether she fitted the existing mould and instead focused on the value she could contribute.
“I truly felt I belonged in the industry when I stopped focusing on whether I was accepted by my peers and the industry and started focusing on the impact I could have.”
Anna spoke openly about the self-doubt that can accompany even the most successful careers, noting that confidence does not always arrive at the same time as achievement.
Lauren spoke fondly of finding belonging in the industry: “Compared to other industries I’d worked in, I found property to be incredibly connected, an industry open to sharing and learning together. Generally, I’ve found participants in our industry to be passionate and generous with their time in giving back. We are also a social bunch, which makes working in the industry an absolute pleasure.”
What resonated most was the idea that belonging is not about sameness. It is about creating an industry where people can bring their own perspectives, experiences and strengths, and where those differences are valued.
This is where diversity and inclusion conversations become especially important. Representation is important, but inclusion is what turns representation into impact. It is the difference between being invited into the room and having your voice genuinely heard.
The final theme, and perhaps the most powerful, was responsibility.
Each woman spoke about the importance of supporting those coming behind them. Whether through mentoring, networking, sharing knowledge or creating opportunities, there was a clear sense that success creates a responsibility to help others succeed.
Lauren captured this simply, reflecting that impact should make someone else’s path “a little less steep”.
Anna also reflected on the importance of learning from those who had gone before her: “I’ve been very fortunate to learn from some of the very best in valuation and the property industry. These people have been key mentors to me and continue to provide me guidance.”
And Davina shared, “Impact is often measured through results: transactions completed, revenue generated or projects delivered. Those things matter, but these conversations were a reminder that impact runs much deeper than that. Impact is leaving something better than you found it.”
These reflections challenge us to think differently about what leadership looks like in property.
Impact is not only measured by the assets we manage, the developments we deliver or the deals we complete. It is also measured by the opportunities we create, the confidence we build in others and the culture we leave behind.
As nominations open for the 2026 Women of Impact programme, I encourage you to think about the women in our industry who are making a difference in these ways.
The women who are leading, mentoring, championing others and helping create a stronger, more inclusive property sector for the next generation.
Because after speaking with these remarkable women, one thing became clear: the most enduring impact is often not what we build, but who we lift along the way.
Nominations for the 2026 Women of Impact in Property open on 30 September and close on 30 November 2026. If you know a woman whose leadership is lifting others, shaping the sector and leaving a lasting impact, now is the time to nominate her.
Joanna den Hollander
Development Manager, Ngāi Tahu Property
Joanna is the Tumu Tiaki Kirimana a-Motu (National Asset Manager) for the Ngāi Tahu Property team. Having joined Ngāi Tahu Property in 2020, she leads the asset and facilities management team who steward the property investment portfolio.
Joanna came to Ngāi Tahu Property with over 18 years experience in the commercial property industry, having managed assets for both private organisations and listed property investment companies across Te Waipounamu, the South Island.
Joanna holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Valuation & Property Management, is a member of the Property Institute of New Zealand, and sits on the Property Council New Zealand Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She was born and raised in Ōtautahi Christchurch and enjoys travelling and skiing with her two teenage sons.