Meet our
Queerleaders

Drawn to the intersection of policy and design, Adriano is an Associate Town Planner at Tract who’s passionate about how these forces shape the places we live, work, and play. He’s especially focused on how spaces bring people together (or don’t!) and how better policy can build stronger, more inclusive communities. At QIP, Adriano channels his love of design into advocacy, championing policies that create places welcoming, connected, and built for everyone, including queer folk.

What makes Ben Rowe tick, you ask? Efficiency and humanity in our built environments – without the hyperbole. Ben is so much to so many, striving for inclusiveness, innovation and excellence in all his projects as a Project Director at Riverlee. He’s driven, motivated and exudes a natural can-do attitude, there is nothing this maestro of property cannot do. Ben is a man of few words but they are all the right ones

Bill Patten is our savvy and sustainable Marketing Manager from Riverlee who has successfully rebranded to just Billy – a one-name wonder human who doesn’t need any introductions. Billy, and all their non-binary finery is committed to cultivating inclusive spaces that help empower our queer community through design, culture, and free expression.

Lemuel is an exceptional interior designer. With an innate ability to create spaces that tell a story, Lemuel brings a distinctive blend of analytical creativity and functionality to every project he undertakes. Driven by a deep passion for the human experience in design, Lemuel always leaves a lasting impression through his projects and the lives of those who experience his work.

More than just matching CVs to roles, Leo, Associate Director at Planned Resources, is paving the way for future leaders to thrive, belong, and be seen. Alongside his work in recruitment, he leads a mission at QIP to create a space where queer professionals can connect, feel empowered, and show up fully as themselves. For Leo, diversity isn’t a checkbox, it’s the spark that turns good workplaces into exceptional ones.

Don’t let that stunning smile fool you, Paul Borella is no light weight. Paul is a digital master, running a digital agency that covers strategy, engagement and development. There isn’t anything this professional power house can’t do. When he is not winning at work, he’s winning at life. You can catch him travelling to ski destinations with family and friends, enjoying a cheeky chocolate eclair or a champagne.

Rossco is a typical property industry brat, kicking off his career as a marketer for a heavyweight in the development world, then moving to a global sales agency before founding Studio White Noise. Rossco has been part of some of the most iconic projects in Australia, whilst maintaining his humble demeanour and stunning good looks. You will definitely hear Rossco before you see him.

More than just matching CVs to roles, Leo, Associate Director at Planned Resources, is paving the way for future leaders to thrive, belong, and be seen. Alongside his work in recruitment, he leads a mission at QIP to create a space where queer professionals can connect, feel empowered, and show up fully as themselves. For Leo, diversity isn’t a checkbox, it’s the spark that turns good workplaces into exceptional ones.

Drawn to the intersection of policy and design, Adriano is an Associate Town Planner at Tract who’s passionate about how these forces shape the places we live, work, and play. He’s especially focused on how spaces bring people together (or don’t!) and how better policy can build stronger, more inclusive communities. At QIP, Adriano channels his love of design into advocacy, championing policies that create places welcoming, connected, and built for everyone, including queer folk.

Mira grew up in a neighbourhood with no footpaths and no buses, and now she’s on a mission to change that. With a background in Middle Eastern Studies and Urban Planning, she brings cultural nuance, curiosity and a fierce sense of justice to every conversation about place. Whether organising events or building communities, Mira’s all about connection with purpose. As Industry Officer for the University of Melbourne’s Urban Collective, she brings students, academics and industry together to break down barriers and open doors. Now at QIP, she’s championing equity not just as the goal, but as the starting point.

Clare (she/they) is a strategic powerhouse and founder of Breakfast Strategy, where brand, marketing and governance collide to create meaningful change. By day, she partners with businesses to build brand strategies from the inside out, driving cohesion, clarity and smart, long-term growth. From publicly listed giants to nimble not-for-profits, Clare helps organisations cut through noise, elevate their brand and lead with purpose. With deep expertise in executive coaching, organisational change and C-suite facilitation, Clare turns complexity into clarity, keeping inclusion front of mind.

Curious, enthusiastic and hardworking, Damien has experience across valuations, leasing, relationship management and asset management, while his passion for the education sector led him to his current role at the VSBA. Outside work, you’ll find him exploring Melbourne’s modernist architecture, hitting the gym or swimming laps at the pool. Passionate about networking and the queer community, at QIP Damien wants to help create spaces/events where people feel empowered, connected and ready to build strong supportive networks.

Damien is the Founder and Managing Director of Zesty Events - the maestro of sparkly name tags, perfectly chilled bubbles, and seating plans that actually work. He’s the go-to for bringing property brands to life, from sod turning ceremonies to gala nights dripping in glamour. With a decade of experience steeped in fashion, PR and luxury hospitality, Damien knows how to turn moments into memories that stick. He’s on the QIP committee because, honestly, no one throws events quite like Queers in Property, and Damien’s here to make sure they’re bigger, better, and unapologetically fabulous. Because if you’re going to celebrate, do it loud, proud, and with plenty of sparkle!

Emerald is a visionary urban planner and creative strategist at SPIIRE, shaping sustainable, community-first developments across Greater Melbourne. More than just technical know-how, she believes planning is about crafting experiences that boost liveability and connection. Known for bringing bold ideas to life through collaboration, Emerald ensures every project honours its environmental and cultural roots. A proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Emerald brings a vital perspective to urban planning. For her, inclusive spaces begin with inclusive voices, and her lived experience fuels a fierce commitment to designing places that welcome and respect all identities.

Creative, curious, and always considered, Fraser knows it’s not about how many stories you tell—it’s about the ones that stick. With a love for all things housing and urbanism, Fraser leads Assemble’s brand storytelling —sharing how the team is creating fresh solutions for Australia's investment and housing future. At QIP, Fraser wants to amplify community voices and introduce more people to the game-changing queers who are redefining the property game.

A true master of his own destiny, Jacob is a trailblazer who has set himself a high bar to not just be the best, but to innovate along the way. There is nothing this superstar marketer can’t do. Well connected, suave and legendary, Jacob takes it all in his stride, currently leading the Salta Properties brand into the future of property marketing.

Jess is a queer town planner passionate about creating walkable, safe, and green neighbourhoods that work for everyone. By day, she’s driving change within local council; by night, she’s building community through her own Disabled and Neurodiverse Urbanists Network and getting stuck into grassroots activism and volunteering. For Jess, planning is nothing if not intersectional- it’s about designing cities that are inclusive, accessible, and deeply human. At QIP, she’s bringing her lived experience and bold ideas to help shape events that are as welcoming as they are impactful.

Jess is a non-binary transmasculine architectural draftsperson superstar and the Drafting & Design Technical Lead at a_space, proudly living and working on Bunurong Land. With over 16 years’ experience, Jess specialises in designing prefabricated playgrounds and outdoor gyms for public spaces and schools—bringing safe, fun, and functional spaces to life with meticulous detail. Recently, they boosted their expertise with Sustainable Building Design studies at RMIT, because building for the future means building sustainably. Beyond the drawing board, Jess volunteers with The Victorian Pride Centre and spent three years on the judging panel for the Victorian Pride Awards. For Jess, creating and championing spaces where everyone can belong, play, and thrive isn’t just a job, it’s a true commitment.

At the intersection of urban design, planning and ideas, Joseph is a Creative Designer at Urbis who brings ideas to life through clear visual thinking. Working across a spectrum of projects in property, Joseph believes QIP is an opportunity to advocate and shape diverse communities and spaces. He is thrilled to connect with other queers and allies across the industry to share perspectives, build community and design places where everyone feels seen and supported.

Nath is a traffic engineer on a mission to break down barriers, both on our streets and in our society. By day, they’re all about designing smarter, more connected cities. By night, find Nathan on the tennis court, and come the weekend, hitting the trails. Fiercely passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, Nath is driven by a vision of urban spaces that are not just easier to move through, but kinder, safer, and radically more inclusive. For Nath, change starts at street level, and he’s here to help pave the way.

Strategic, creative, and deeply invested in what the built environment means for the people who live in it - Simon has spent 15 years shaping how property developments are seen, felt and sold. As founder of Modest Media and a specialist in property marketing, he brings brand and communications expertise to the QIP committee. Simon wants to help amplify the community's voices and make the industry's queer talent impossible to overlook.

As the Specifications Manager for the e&s Commercial Team, I partner with architects, designers, and developers to bring bold visions to life through lateral thinking and strategic insight. I’m a proud queer professional and committee member for Queers In Property (QIP), dedicated to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and building confidence across our industry. Passionate about community and ethics, I strive to add genuine value while fostering a more inclusive, forward-thinking property landscape for everyone.

Vitto is a curious creative fuelled by a love of architecture, musical theatre, and video games. With a sharp eye for storytelling through design, Vitto is fascinated by the way spaces, real or imagined, shape how we feel, move, and connect. Whether sketching, gaming, or soaking up the drama of a live performance, Vitto is always exploring the power of built and digital worlds to spark emotion, build identity, and reimagine what’s possible.