Record-breaking Leading Ladies of Real Estate Luncheon celebrates empowerment and excellence with a side of croissants on the Gold Coast

Marking a new milestone for the initiative, the sold-out event brought together powerhouse women from across the industry, culminating in an intimate and captivating keynote interview with Kate Reid, the Formula 1 engineer-turned-pastry-pioneer behind Lune Croissanterie.

Reid’s story of reinvention, creativity and self-belief was brought to life in conversation with Leading Ladies of Real Estate Chairperson, Natalie Hortz.

“In a very male-dominated industry, it takes an awful lot of tenacity to be seen and to be noticed and to prove your way into it,” Dr Reid said.

“I was just like a dog with a bone — everything I did, every second of my day, had to be working towards Formula One.”

Dr Reid said she knew she wanted to be an aerodynamicist in the F1 world since she was 14.

“I famously wrote myself a letter at 14, pledging that by 25 I would be offered a job with the Williams F1 team,” she recalled. “And I got there at 23.”

“That kind of clarity and stubborn persistence is what got me in the door.”

However, the reality of the F1 industry wasn’t what she dreamed it would be, and she became depressed and unwell to the point of leaving England and moved back to Melbourne.

“I think it just reached a point where my health was so critical that my parents said, ‘You have to come home.'” she said.

“It was like something pushed me over the edge — this is not going to make you happy. It’s not the best way to spend your life.”

Dr Reid started Lune out of a love for baking, and channelled her obsessive love for F1 engineering into croissants.

“It began in a tiny shop in Melbourne. I was laminating pastry by hand, starting at 3 a.m., and selling out before midday. There was no plan for an empire — just making the best croissant possible.”

“People would queue around the block. That was when I realised this wasn’t just a bakery, it was something people would travel for.”

When asked by a member of the audience, what was the best advice you’ve ever been given, Dr Reid gave a thoughtful and somewhat unexpected response.

“Just before I left to move to the UK, I had a moment of doubt; was I doing the right thing?” she said.

“My dad said to me, ‘Nothing has to be forever.’ It’s the best advice I’ve ever been given. We only have one life. If what we’re doing isn’t bringing joy, fulfilment, and growth, then taking the leap is the only option. Otherwise, we’re just wasting our one life.”

In addition to the headline interview, the afternoon featured dynamic live Q&A sessions with some of the industry most inspiring female leaders.

Each shared their unique experiences, lessons, and leadership insights with authenticity, offering a powerful reminder of the collective strength and diversity within the Leading Ladies initiative.

Monika Maynard of Ray White Manakau in New Zealand said she felt inspired every time she attended an event.

“Leading Ladies is such a great group of women who want to be successful in everything they do, who empower each other and, in turn, empower others,” Maynard said.

“I’m so grateful for this community; it’s amazing to see women lifting each other up and inspiring confidence.”

Tahlia Gabrielli of Ray White Mt Gambier, the first female Chairman’s Elite qualifier in South Australia, hasn’t missed an event.

Gabrielli’s favourite thing about Leading Ladies was “the networking, the connections, and the things you learn here are incredible.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so surround yourself with inspiring women who lift you higher.”

Cindy Cash of Ray White North Richmond, has been a Leading Ladies ambassador since the initiative was introduced to New South Wales.

“In a male-dominated industry, discovering so many amazing, successful women to network with and support has been incredible,” Cindy said. “Leading Ladies isn’t just about events; it’s about commitment to growing and empowering women so this movement keeps thriving.”