What’s really behind the housing crisis headlines - and how do you build homes that actually work for the people who live in them?

Lisa Sorrentino is the Head of Development at City West Housing, and she’s spent over two decades delivering complex projects across the US and Australia. Today, she leads the delivery of long-term, purpose-built affordable housing in Sydney - and she’s not afraid to challenge misconceptions about what that means. From lifecycle design decisions to planning pathways and policy reforms, Lisa brings a rare combination of commercial experience, urban planning smarts, and social purpose to her work.

In this episode, she shares the surprising moments that shaped her career, the advice she wishes someone gave her when her kids were young, and the one practical shift that could unlock more affordable housing tomorrow. We also hear her take on:

• The myth of “just mix them in together” when it comes to social housing
• Why it’s time to stop calling everything a defect
• How being direct - and sometimes brash - became her secret weapon
• Why professionally managed, mid-market rentals are the future

From luxury builds to government renewal precincts to the not-for-loss sector, Lisa’s seen the industry from every angle. This is a big-picture conversation grounded in real-world solutions.

Sign up to the newsletter to be notified when we drop a new episode: https://growthbuilt.com.au/her-construction-career/

Her Construction Career is made possible thanks to Growthbuilt, with the support of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.

Hosts: Sabina Kabalane and Kristy Filetti

Production: Interview Boss Media

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chi Melhem never set out to lead her own firm. But after two decades shaping major projects and mentoring the next generation of designers, she realised the only way to build the culture she wanted was to start from scratch.

In this episode, Chi shares her journey from a childhood in Alice Springs to becoming a founding director of EM BE CE, an architecture practice rooted in equity, process, and people. She opens up about the pressures of leadership, her decision to walk away from a prestigious role, and what it took to back herself and begin again.

We talk candidly about burnout, parenthood, and imposter syndrome - and how Chi’s quiet leadership style is making a loud impact across the industry.

You’ll hear:

• Why Chi initially turned down a director role - and how a recruiter changed her mind
• What it’s really like starting your own firm while raising a family
• The practical steps she’s taken to create a flexible, family-friendly workplace culture
• Her reflections on risk, responsibility, and why architects need to understand the business side of the job
• How she’s reframing leadership to include vulnerability, reflection, and authenticity

Sign up to the newsletter to be notified when we drop a new episode: https://growthbuilt.com.au/her-construction-career/

Her Construction Career is made possible thanks to Growthbuilt, with the support of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.

Hosts: Sabina Kabalane and Kristy Filetti

Production: Interview Boss Media

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alia Karaman didn’t start her career in construction - or plan to end up leading one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in NSW. But with a background in social sciences, a master’s in planning and urban management, and two decades working across government, Alia has built a career defined by her grit, clarity, and belief in public infrastructure as a force for good.

Today, she’s the Project Director for Sydney Metro Southwest, overseeing the conversion of the T3 rail line into a world-class metro system connecting the very communities she grew up in. She’s a champion of strong leadership, culture-first teams, and backing people based on potential - not job titles.

In this episode, Alia shares how saying yes to unexpected opportunities (including the one job she didn’t want) led to her proudest career moments. She reflects on managing projects where she’s not the technical expert, balancing marathon training with boardroom meetings, and calling out subtle sexism with humour and honesty.

You’ll hear:

🛤 How Alia built a leadership career without an engineering background

💬 Why communication - not technical expertise -is her biggest superpower

💡 Her advice for future leaders (and what she wants her kids to say about her)

💪 The difference between flexibility and chaos - and why she’s okay with both

🎯 How she’s making decisions today that will shape Sydney for generations

Sign up to the newsletter to be notified when we drop a new episode: https://growthbuilt.com.au/her-construction-career/

Her Construction Career is made possible thanks to Growthbuilt, with the support of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.

Hosts: Sabina Kabalane and Kristy Filetti

Production: Interview Boss Media

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.