Melinda Isaacs, Senior Development Director, Liberty Two Degrees

Isaacs played a leading role in driving L2D’s growth strategy, significantly shaping some of South Africa’s most iconic shopping centres, including Sandton City. One of her most notable achievements was leading L2D’s sustainability initiatives.

Notable projects include South Africa’s largest rooftop solar installation and innovative solar trees at Eastgate Shopping Centre, which were recognised at the 2023 Steel Awards.

Isaacs’ passion for mentorship has also had a profound impact on the industry. She has trained and mentored several women, many of whom have risen to senior management positions.

She believes that true leadership lies in serving and inspiring others, which is reflected in her commitment to fostering the growth and development of her colleagues. Her story of leadership, innovation and empowerment aligns perfectly with the spirit of Women’s Month, and her journey not only showcases her professional achievements, but also highlights the importance of supporting and celebrating women in traditionally male-dominated industries.

What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?

To be honest, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was 18. At that age, I had a lot of dreams, which led me to apply to five different universities and pursue five completely different degrees.

Purpose, passion, hard work, tenacity, and a little bit of luck have brought me to where I am today. I am grateful that I ended up in an industry that requires strong numerical and analytical skills, attention to detail, effective communication and negotiation skills, problem-solving skills, etc., all of which I possess.

Can you share your journey to becoming a leader at Liberty Two Degrees and the challenges you faced along the way?

Turning challenges into opportunities and mistakes into lessons learned has been a very important part of my growth.

I’ve had to learn to find my way through difficult conversations and not take everything personally. Self-reflection has been a huge part of this journey. Focus on what you can control and let go of the things you can’t.

The property industry is also male dominated, which presents many challenges for women, especially in my field of study as a professional quantity surveyor.

I am humbled by the encouragement of CEO Amelia Beattie, who supports us and encourages us to be bold and have a growth mindset, determination and resilience. I believe these are the qualities that have driven me to take on a leadership role at L2D.

What does leadership mean to you and how do you embody it in your role?

When I think about the people in my life that I consider leaders, the qualities I admire, and the feelings they leave me with, I believe that the leader you become is first and foremost influenced by your childhood experiences.

My parents made me feel loved and cared for, and they also taught me to be self-reliant and to face challenges head on. Some challenges taught me patience, while others made me humble. It also helped me learn to never give up and develop a resilient spirit.

Throughout my career, I have learned from multiple other leaders the importance of voicing my opinions, being solution-oriented, listening to others, continually accepting feedback, and knowing when to walk away.

Being self-aware is so important – being able to reflect on our life experiences, both successes and failures, learn from them, and then apply the lessons learned to our work and professional relationships is powerful and reflects wisdom.

As a female leader, how do you inspire and empower other women in your organization?

I believe there is power in women supporting and encouraging one another. It is a force that reshapes the narrative of female leadership. I believe being bold, assertive, principled, and having boundaries empowers other women to do the same.

Mentoring through coaching and support is a great tool, but taking it a step further and actively promoting those around you by giving them ownership of their work, empowering them to take responsibility, and holding them accountable is even more effective.

What initiatives or projects are you most proud of and why do you think they were successful?

I take pride in all the projects I’m involved in, no matter how big or small. Taking pride in what I do is part of my success because I try to put a little piece of myself on the projects and the people I work with.

During my career as a Quantity Surveyor and Development Manager I have worked on a number of projects at Sandton City and Eastgate Shopping Centre.

As Head of Development at Liberty Two Degrees, I am now responsible for the master planning strategy for both super-regional assets. This progression in my career has been incredible and I am extremely passionate and dedicated to my work. I have grown and learned a lot while creating the future vision for these extraordinary regions.

How do you think the business community can better support and promote gender equality?

I believe businesses can play a more purposeful role, aiming to be a catalyst for doing business in an inclusive way. Embedding diversity and inclusion policies into business operations is one way to achieve this.

In L2D:

As a signatory, we adhere to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), ensuring we are accountable for implementing effective strategies for change and women’s empowerment. These principles guide our practices in corporate development, procurement, supply value chain and recruitment policies.

Women hold more than 60% of positions, with 57% of leadership positions at the executive committee level held by women.

Our CEO Amelia Beattie’s call for female empowerment through the ‘One Woman at a Time’ initiative underlines L2D’s commitment to gender equality and reinforces our position as a transformational, diverse and inclusive firm in the property industry.

What trends do you think will shape the future of retail real estate in South Africa, particularly in terms of sustainability and technology?

As the retail real estate industry is changing rapidly, flexibility is key. Flexibility is reflected in the following aspects:

Creating experiential environments through efficient, unconventional use of space is an important aspect of the current economic landscape.

High-quality retail space is no longer just desirable, it is essential in this competitive market. The retail industry is constantly evolving, so tenants and owners need to collaborate, maximize and utilize existing space to achieve flexibility and competitive advantage, while creating unique and memorable experiences for customers.

Innovation is crucial in the built environment, and clever use of extra space can help real estate companies stand out. We’ve found that rooftops also play a key role in creating a home experience, allowing people to escape from the busy daily life to a certain extent.

The use of technology can help commercial property owners make data-driven decisions and understand the customer journey, while ensuring that cleaning and safety measures are deployed in high-traffic areas. Good Wi-Fi connectivity plays a key role in shoppers’ dwell time. Creating a seamless experience for customers is key, from advanced parking facilities, ticketless and cashless payments to interactive wayfinding, will ensure a good experience from start to finish.

Environmental sustainability is a key factor and driver in attracting eco-friendly shoppers. It is also a cost-effective way to engage in responsible business practices.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to succeed in your industry?

Every conversation is essentially a negotiation, but negotiation is not bargaining. Negotiation helps others feel heard and understood, and promotes a certain level of cooperation and success.

Ultimately, no one wants to be the loser in a negotiation, and both parties can reach a better consensus if the negotiation is done correctly. I also encourage women to hold their ground in this male-dominated industry and know that they bring tremendous value and a different perspective.

What does Women’s Month mean to you?

For me, it’s a chance to reflect and admire those who have fought so bravely for women to have equal opportunities in every way. It’s also a chance to recognize that there is still work to be done and that I can create opportunities for this generation of women and for future generations, including my two daughters.

This will make them grateful for those who paved the way for them, while also learning to pave the way for other women.