“Be a trailblazer - not a follower!” That's Antonia Mercorella's advice for standing out by 2032. As the CEO who modernised a 100-year-old institution, she knows something about thinking differently.

Antonia Mercorella didn't follow the traditional path to becoming Australia's most influential real estate institute CEO. As Queensland's first female and youngest REIQ leader, she's spent 10 years proving that sustainable change starts with solid foundations – not flashy initiatives. From theatre stages to courtrooms to boardrooms, her unconventional background equipped her with the negotiation skills and communication expertise that transformed a century-old institution into Australia's most forward-thinking industry body.

Essential Insights for Real Estate Leaders

• Why "boring" governance work creates competitive advantage

• The member vs non-member decision that changed everything

• AI implementation guidelines with legal safeguards – consent-based approaches that protect your business

• Cross-industry learning strategies for staying ahead of market shifts (why real estate agents should study medicine and other sectors)

• Leadership development pathways for women in real estate (practical mentoring approaches that work)

Chapters
Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
• 00:03:33 Antonia’s Early Career and Pivot to Theatre
• 00:06:14 Lessons from Theatre, Communication, and Negotiation
• 00:15:38 Modernising the REIQ: Foundations and Governance
• 00:20:44 Innovation, Technology, and Realworks Platform
• 00:24:47 Seller Disclosure Law Reform and Compliance
• 00:30:35 Mandatory CPD and Elevating Professionalism
• 00:34:50 AI, Data Privacy, and the Future of Real Estate
• 00:40:30 Preparing for the Future: Olympics, Trends, and Trailblazing
• 00:44:09 Women in Leadership and Mentoring the Next Generation
• 00:48:16 Final Reflections and Takeaways