Womens Property Network, an organisation of women in the commercial property industry which was established in 2000, has refocused its aims and objectives and will this week take the new look organisation on a road show to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Says Lisa Forshey, National Chairman of the Womens Property Network Executive Committee, "At the beginning of the year, we invited some of the top women in commercial property to discuss whether WPN still had relevance in the industry. The group debated many of the challenges facing women today and it was unanimously agreed that the organisation can play an important role if it was to refocus and be more inclusive."

This same group of woman formed a project committee and for four months has worked through a process of rebranding, launching a bursary scheme, redesigning its membership criteria, discussing a mentorship programme and appointing a National Co-coordinator. In the past Womens Property Network has raised close on R1 million for charity by holding two annual events in Johannesburg and Cape Town. In future the money raised at these functions will be channeled through the WPN Foundation for bursaries for women at a tertiary institution that offers property as a major. A mentoring programme for young women entering the industry will also be established.

"We read daily about the shortage of skills in South Africa and it is therefore important that we create an environment that promotes a career in Property.
As more and more women enter our exciting industry, we want to help them to grow and remain interested in the sector, this is where Womens Property Network can play an important role in adding value to the industry,"