Heels off: Women leaders redefine power at PropertyGuru’s ARES Power Women event

• PropertyGuru champions gender equality and inclusive leadership in real estate at annual gathering
• In a show of unity, top female executives ditch their high heels, elevating the conversation on leadership and empowerment
• Honouring six influential women, the event emphasises diversity and empowerment in the industry, celebrating a new era of inclusive leadership

Bangkok, Thailand – On 7 December 2023, PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), successfully hosted its annual PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES) followed by the ARES VIP Cocktail Party in Bangkok, Thailand, presenting the ARES Power Women for a second year.

The invitation-only party, which was sponsored by PropertyGuru For Business, was a highlight of the PropertyGuru Week and celebrated the outstanding achievements of six exceptional women leaders in the real estate sector, acknowledging their significant contributions and influence as leaders in the industry.

Hari V. Krishnan, CEO and Managing Director of PropertyGuru Group, opened the evening with a special message reflecting on the journey of PropertyGuru since its inception in 2007, emphasising the company’s commitment to gender diversity and equality.

This commitment was further highlighted in the establishment of the ARES Power Women initiative in 2022, designed to spotlight the vital contributions of women in the Asian real estate landscape.

A symbolic gesture of solidarity and support

After Hari’s message, the evening’s highlight occurred during an unscripted yet powerful moment when ARES presenter, Tina Ryan, embraced comfort over convention by removing her high heels on stage. The next speaker, Shyn Yee Ho, Managing Director for Data and Software Solutions at PropertyGuru Group, also joined in on the fun by taking off her heels as she delivered her message to recognise the women who raise the roof.

Shyn continued Hari’s message, further elaborating on the motivations behind establishing the ARES Power Women honours, sharing her personal experiences in male-dominated industries and highlighted the need for more diverse representation and inclusive decision-making in real estate. The goal of the ARES Power Women list is not just to recognise the achievements of women leaders, but also to inspire future generations and promote a fairer and more equitable future.

In a remarkable display of solidarity, all the women on stage removed their heels as each honouree was announced one by one, ascending the stage barefoot to accept the honour. This impromptu gesture became a strong declaration of mutual support among these influential women, resonating deeply with the audience.

The ARES Power Women 2023

This year’s honourees, hailing from Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and the UK, were announced by Shyn together with Disha Goenka, PropertyGuru’s Chief Marketing Officer, with each woman receiving a token from PropertyGuru For Business.

“Live”
Andrea Savage, Celebrity interior designer, HGTV / Co-CEO and Creative Director, A Life By Design
Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited / Chair, Corporate Advisory Board, World Green Building Council

“Work”
Chelsea Perino, Global Director, The Executive Centre, Future of Work
Joanne Kua, Group CEO, KSK Group

“Thrive”
Coco Liu, Chief Regional Officer, HLB International
Hang Dang, Managing Director, CBRE Vietnam

These influential women on the list embody PropertyGuru’s vision to power communities to live, work and thrive in tomorrow’s cities. Throughout their careers, the ARES Power Women have lived by the above themes, with Andrea leading and living a life by design; Esther pushing forth a more sustainable and greener future; Chelsea pioneering the future of work; Joanne paving the way for women-led businesses; Coco supporting emerging markets to thrive; and Hang setting a standard for female leaders in real estate.

Related: Women in power take centre stage at PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit VIP Cocktail Party

Towards a fairer future

The exclusive event concluded with a strong message of responsibility towards building a fairer and more inclusive future. The commitment of PropertyGuru Group and its community in tackling the challenges of gender equality and diversity in the real estate industry marked a significant step towards change.

The second annual ARES Power Women not only celebrated achievements, but also sparked a conversation about the critical role of women in shaping the future of real estate.

ARES VIP Cocktail Party was also supported by Dao Ethical Gifts (Women Empowerment Project) and Fah Mai Holdings.

Gynen Kyra Toriano, Digital Content Manager at PropertyGuru, wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].