On 3rd March, Barry Plant did just that, hosting a sold-out lunch to hear from some of the exceptional women who help shape the business into the success it is today.
Held at Leonda by the Yarra, Barry Plant’s International Women’s Day Lunch was an inspiring and empowering event.
Over 80 attendees gathered at the sold-out function, overlooking the stunning Yarra riverside, to hear industry leaders share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs in both their personal and professional lives.
The event reinforced the importance of resilience, equity, and support for women—not just in real estate, but in all aspects of life.
The event was hosted by Barry Plant’s Head of Growth Mark Lynch, who MC’d a dynamic panel of accomplished women from the Barry Plant group.
The panel featured Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell, Yarraville and Sunshine Director Caroline Allen, Berwick Director Hayley Taufa, and Narre Warren and Cranbourne Director Nicola Parreira.
Their discussion was insightful, candid, and at times deeply personal, shining a light on the unique challenges women face in real estate and business.
Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell’s career in real estate has been one of breaking barriers.
Raised by a feminist mother who never imposed limits on her, Lisa entered a male-dominated industry where female CEOs remain a rarity.
Mark and Lisa shared a personal anecdote about a recent meeting in which an older man dismissed her point—only to accept the exact same statement when repeated by Mark.
This moment underscored the daily challenges women encounter in the workplace and reinforced the need to truly listen to women, acknowledge their experiences, and commit to continued change.
“My hope with hosting an International Women’s Day Lunch is that the women in the room leave feeling optimistic and motivated about the future of women in business and real estate. Equally, I hope the men in the room leave with a greater understanding and empathy for the gender dynamic every day and commit to helping support equality,” said Lisa.
Nicola Parreira reflected on moments where she has refused to let sexism undermine her in the real estate industry, even when her resilience had been tested.
She recounted an experience at a real estate conference where a man claimed that men had a ‘point of difference’ because women were too busy with children to succeed in business and selling property.
Her response? Taking the opportunity to challenge an industry peer’s outdated perceptions about women’s capabilities and delivering a powerful reality check.
At the start of Hayley Taufa’s journey from Forty Winks to real estate, she was met with scepticism and judgement, but she proved her critics wrong.
In her first year with Barry Plant, Hayley quickly proved herself to be a natural in real estate and an exceptionally hard worker.
Her dedication saw her rise to become the #1 sales agent in the Berwick area and the top-performing agent across the entire Barry Plant group.
Yet, despite her remarkable success, an industry veteran made a condescending remark about her background while presenting her with an award, saying, “Can you believe she was selling mattresses a year ago and still drives a Kia Grand Carnival?”
Today, she still drives the same car while raising five independent daughters and one son, continuing to thrive as the top sales agent in Berwick.
Her story is one of defying stereotypes and balancing family life with a stellar career.
Caroline Allen, a mother of two daughters, reflected on the gender biases she encountered in a previous role, where she was told women weren’t as capable as men at negotiating or selling.
Since joining Barry Plant alongside her husband, she has flourished in a leadership role as the OIEC of the Yarraville office, proving that talent and determination—not gender—define success in business.
These candid anecdotes resonated deeply with all attendees, prompting reflection on the challenges women face daily.
The calibre of the speakers and their insights into the industry were key factors behind the overwhelming demand for tickets.
Hayley Taufa explained that many of her male colleagues had wanted to attend, but due to the event selling out so quickly, they were unable to.
“The men in my office waited to buy their tickets, allowing women from the network to attend first. By the time all the women in our office who wanted to go had secured their tickets, the event had sold out, and the boys missed out. That level of demand reflects the changing nature of this industry and the commitment of everyone at Barry Plant to uplifting and supporting women in our business,” said Hayley.
Building on the success of Barry Plant’s International Women’s Day Lunch, CEO Lisa Pennell appeared as a panellist at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s (REIV) International Women’s Day Lunch on 6 March.
She joined an esteemed group of industry leaders, including Jemimah Clegg, Property News Editor at REA Group, and Emily Wallace, Director of Wallace Advocates, in a conversation facilitated by Sophie Lyon, a Partner at Real+ Training.
Following the panel discussion, Lisa was overwhelmed by the response from those in attendance.
“When the panel concluded, the number of women who approached me to chat or take a photo was truly astounding. It’s easy to forget in my day-to-day that female CEOs are still a rarity in this industry, and it’s heartwarming to be reminded of the impact I can have as a role model for other women in business. I was truly humbled by the response, and I hope to continue inspiring and making other women in real estate proud,” said Lisa.
Barry Plant’s International Women’s Day Lunch was more than just a celebration—it was a powerful reminder of the resilience, ambition, and impact of women in real estate.
Through candid conversations and inspiring stories, the event not only highlighted the challenges women continue to face but also reinforced the collective commitment to change.
With strong female leaders paving the way and a growing industry-wide movement towards equity and support, the future for women in real estate is brighter than ever.
