ANNE-MAREE Moussa is one of the candidates seeking to be elected to the national board of the Australian Property Institute (API).
Moussa said it is vital that the API broadens the expertise, knowledge and diversity of its membership base to remain relevant as well as ensuring the API develops and supports all members through a number of avenues including education, training and development opportunities, setting and maintaining professional standards, and promoting the API brand.
“With my drive, passion and commitment, I feel I have many positive attributes if re-elected as a member of the Board. This includes strong interpersonal, communication, leadership and collaboration skills.
“Based on my diverse background, I have a detailed understanding of the linkages which drive the valuation profession, the finance industry and the corporate clients which support the property sector.
“To ensure the longevity of the API, I am committed to broadening our membership base by way of expertise, knowledge and diversity.” Moussa said.
- What is your interest to come on board with the Australian Property Institute?
I am a passionate property professional and my interest in the API stems from my desire to build and maintain a strong foundation for the future of the property profession, ensuring the API is home to all property professionals. It is vital for the API to broaden the expertise, knowledge and diversity of our membership base to remain relevant, and I am committed to ensuring this is achieved. I believe I can play a dynamic role in shaping the future of the API.
I would greatly value the opportunity to be re-elected to the Board as the API moves to delivering the 2021 strategy goals and build on the past two years of significant progress. I feel strongly about the API making innovative steps to be regarded as a market leader, preserving and increasing the value of the property profession, and of our members well into the future. I understand the importance of the Board’s role in setting the strategic direction of the API, and I am aware of stakeholder expectations. Ensuring the API develops and supports all of our members through a number of avenues including education, training and development opportunities, setting and maintaining professional standards, and promoting the API brand is integral for our members and the property industry.
- What financial experience or expertise do you bring to the API?
I am a member of the API’s Finance Risk Audit Committee which has successfully returned the API to surplus (before fair value adjustments) for the first time in four years. The financial health of the API is strategically important.
I have been working at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), within the Institutional Banking & Markets Real Estate Finance team, for the past eight years. I am responsible for managing a portfolio of large institutional real estate clients covering the execution and management of structured finance transactions. I have an extensive background in financial, corporate and credit risk analysis covering structured, corporate and development finance. My exposure to the asset due diligence process and background in corporate, finance and legal documentation gives me a strong understanding of the wider property industry ecosystem.
Within this role I am directly responsible for building and maintaining a range of trusted relationships with real estate clients and key industry stakeholders.
- What governance experience do you bring to the API?
In my current role at CBA, I undertake an assessment of corporate governance structures involving a review of the role of the Board, Investment Committee and Management for a range of counterparties. This is necessary to understand the interaction and separation of roles, responsibilities and duties between the various governance structures. In addition, we are required to ensure transactions are critiqued against the industry policies, standards and procedures set out within the Banks risk management and governance framework.
Having been on the API Board for past two years and graduating from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), I am acutely aware the Board plays a critical role in overseeing the governance function, and Directors act as a group to ensure the appropriate standards are set across the API.
Additionally, I understand the importance of maintaining public trust and I would bring my personal values of integrity and transparency to ensure the API is the most trusted industry participant and brand.
- What strategic planning experience do you bring to the API?
My strong influencing and negotiation skills have culminated in presentations to various senior panels, forums and business events in support of key transactions, market outlook and portfolio management decisions. I also enjoy a strong understanding of enterprise risk management frameworks incorporating strategic, financial and operational risk components.
My current role at CBA requires me to ensure a strong alignment between our day to day business activities and the long-term strategic view of our Real Estate Group. This requires balancing the interests and views of a number of stakeholders to ensure the business and key value drivers are well understood.
The API has undergone significant change in the last few years with positive progress to date, however there is still more to do including delivering on our strategy. The opportunity to be re-elected would allow for further progression and continuity, ensuring the 2021 strategic pillars are delivered.
- To further pursue API’s strategic direction, it would be of great benefit if prospective Directors could contribute advocacy, policy and/or digital communications experience to the Board. What is your experience in one or more of these areas?
I am a strong advocate of the API having been a member of the NSW State Committee and Chair of NSW CPD Committee prior to joining the API Board. These roles included the delivery of training, development and professional seminars for our members. In delivering these events I sought to raise the profile of the API by linking industry leading experts with topics of importance for our API members.
I have also been a long term supporter of the Young Property Professionals (YPP), backing and mentoring our future industry leaders. Advocating and supporting the YPP, by way of assisting in securing corporate sponsorship or by being a sounding board, is both rewarding and fundamental for our industry.
As a current Board member, it is our duty to maintain a strong level of advocacy and actively promote the API at every opportunity.
- In general, what can you bring to the API and why should members elect you?
With my drive, passion and commitment, I feel I have many positive attributes if re-elected as a member of the Board. This includes strong interpersonal, communication, leadership and collaboration skills.
Based on my diverse background, I have a detailed understanding of the linkages which drive the valuation profession, the finance industry and the corporate clients which support the property sector.
To ensure the longevity of the API, I am committed to broadening our membership base by way of expertise, knowledge and diversity.
The Australian Property Institute (API) Board Elections will open on Thursday 18 July 2019 until 23:59 AEST on Sunday 28 July 2018.
The API has partnered with CorpVote to provide an online voting service. All eligible voting Members will receive emails from CorpVote with details of how-to login and vote.
