Let’s get to know our awesome March Member of the Month, Andrea Collins, Qld Commercial Manager for Johnson Suisse!

Tell us about yourself and your role!

I have previously worked in merchant roles and I am now working with a supplier. I get to work across a range of projects from Hospitals to Apartment complexes, Child Care Centre’s and Residential Homes.
I enjoy being part of a progressive, ever changing industry.

How long have you been in the industry and what drew you to a career in construction?

I started in the industry fifteen years ago. Innovation within brands pushing the ‘norm’ has been a real highlight. Renovation shows were becoming increasingly popular. Bathrooms became bigger, and more bathrooms were being added to homes. Along with this came more affordable well designed products.

What has been your biggest career achievement so far?

I think getting through and actually thriving over these past few years has been an incredible achievement. That coinciding with becoming a full time working mum is a real accomplishment!

What are your professional goals for 2023?

To grow my network within the industry and grow the business in Queensland.

Let’s get to know our awesome February Member of the Month, Sanna Davis!

Tell us about yourself and your role!

I am the Communications Manager at Nyblad Construction – a renovation company run by myself, my sister and my mum and dad. The main responsibilities of my role is all marketing and HR responsibilities but I wear many other hats too!

How long have you been in the industry and what drew you to a career in construction?

I first started in the construction industry in 2012 in Melbourne where I worked in the training department at Master Builders Association of Victoria and then moved into the Communications department. After about five years of maternity leave, I joined the family business in Caloundra.

What has been your biggest career achievement so far?

Working with my sister and our parents to grow what was mum and dad’s small renovation business operating as a sole trader to a company with 12 employees and extensive subcontractor network.

What are your professional goals for 2023?

I’m looking forward to this year. Our parents are semi-retiring this year and my sister and I will take on even more responsibility to grow the business and to keep it running to the point where our parents can retire permanently.

Get to know our January Business of the Month, Meka Recruitment, and hear from founder Melissa Dale!

Tell us about your awesome business!

Meka Recruitment was established in 2019 to have a strong focus on recruiting the right people in the construction sector. Since starting Meka has assisted a number of companies with attracting and retaining the right staff. We now have an office in Bundaberg as well as Brisbane and employ 10 staff.

What can we expect to see from your business in 2023?

Meka Recruitment has set a high target this year and plan to have another office opened in North QLD, moreover, an app that will be introduced to reduce labour hire costs and assist with reaching practical completion on time.

Get to know our awesome January Member of the Month, Jess Knott!

Tell us about yourself and your role!

I’m a Development Manager delivering townhouse and apartment projects in the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions. I’m based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast with my young family and can confirm – this is the best place to live in the world!

I work for Coast2Bay Housing Group, a regional Community Housing Provider. We’re a not-for-profit and our primary mission is transform lives – by supplying homes for people with a pathway to affordable living. We provide safe and secure housing choices for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Demand for social and affordable housing is increasing exponentially due to market factors like low rental vacancy rates and increased cost of living pressures. Homelessness is an issue that is not going away and it’s our role to educate and garner support from government, industry and our communities.

How long have you been in the industry and what drew you to a career in construction?

I have been delivering residential communities in QLD and WA for over 15 years, working across public and private sectors. I started in the industry quite young, winning an undergraduate scholarship to work with one of Australia’s largest property groups. The role of a Development Manager is very diverse, covering not just construction management but design, feasibility, marketing and a whole range of other disciplines to make projects a success.

The appeal of the construction industry for me is seeing projects come to life after years of planning. Creating new communities leaves behind a lasting legacy to be proud of in your career. Revisiting projects years after completion can be incredibly satisfying, to see the end user experience and how the community matures over time.