Leader Spotlight #20 - Edna Yeo

Edna is an astute Director driving the success of new build and redevelopment healthcare projects through more than 17 years of experience.

1. Background and Inspiration: Could you share your journey into the property and construction industry and the key experiences that shaped your passion for this field?

My background is in quantity surveying, which was neither a first nor an obvious career choice when I was growing up, but has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding decisions of my professional life.

I was born in Kuching, Sarawak, completed high school in Perth, and then studied at the University of Melbourne. As a child and a teenager, I always believed my future was in legal services, largely due to my family's influence.

My trajectory changed when a family friend introduced me to quantity surveying. Curious, I explored the profession and quickly realised how closely it aligned with my interests and strengths. The profession combined maths and economics with elements of law and contracts, which I enjoy, and offered exposure to a wide range of projects across sectors.

As I advanced in my studies and career, my passion for the property and construction industry only deepened. The most fulfilling aspects of my work have been collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and helping to create impactful structures across Victoria and beyond. Witnessing how strategic cost management and commercial advice influence successful project outcomes continually motivates and energises me to perform at my best every day.

2. Leadership Strategies: In your leadership role, what strategies do you use to incorporate diverse cultural perspectives, and how do these align with-or differ from-approaches you see in the wider industry?

I’ve been fortunate to grow up in multicultural countries, which has shaped how I communicate and work. Cultural diversity is a part of my everyday life. My team at MBM Melbourne collectively represent 12 different countries, and through initiatives like our monthly diversity lunch, we learn from one another’s backgrounds and experiences.

We see different ways to communicate, collaborate, and make decisions not as challenges, but as opportunities to broaden perspectives. I understand the value of cultural differences, which strongly influences how I lead. I’m mindful that people bring different cultural norms around hierarchy, confidence, and communication into the workplace, particularly in the construction industry. As a leader, I aim to create inclusive environments through adaptations to how discussions are facilitated, encourage input from all team members, and make sure quieter voices are heard. In my role as a quantity surveyor, I value early and inclusive engagement as different perspectives can significantly shape cost, risk, and project strategy.

While the industry increasingly recognises diversity through formal policies, I believe inclusion is driven by everyday leadership behaviours and relationships. From experience, diverse teams communicate more openly, identify issues earlier, and deliver stronger outcomes.

3. Future Vision: Looking ahead, what changes or initiatives do you believe would have the most impact in helping the property and construction industry better embrace multiculturalism?

Looking ahead, I believe inclusive leadership can most help the industry harness multicultural talent. The benefits include more respectful workplace, site cultures, communication and safety improvements, greater innovation, diverse talent, and better relationships with communities. The industry can also build stronger teams, deliver better projects, and become more future ready.