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 We recently spoke with Corna Kotze from City of Adelaide about her role as Senior Consultant - Corporate & Community Property and her career to date.
What’s your role and how long have you worked in local government?
I am the Senior Advisor, Corporate and Commercial Property at the City of Adelaide. I am responsible for leading a team and managing the council’s commercial, retail, and corporate property portfolios. I also oversee the management of commercial contracts.
I have had the privilege to work in local government for more than 25 years, commencing as an in-house lawyer for the City of Tshwane (Pretoria, South Africa).
My first role in local government in Australia was with the City of Onkaparinga in their property department. I will be forever grateful for the ‘work family’ that supported me in adjusting to my new home. It was with a heavy heart that I moved on to a new and exciting opportunity.
The City of Adelaide relies significantly on commercial income to support community service delivery with a large commercial leasing portfolio. In 2013, I dived into my new challenge, taking responsibility for their Commercial, Corporate and Residential Leasing portfolio. What an amazing role: negotiating and structuring leases, ensuring that we grow ‘the pie’ instead of dividing it, and fostering good relationships with tenants, contributing to their success. I am blessed to lead a knowledgeable and supportive team.
When you commenced your career, did you anticipate that you would end up in local government?
Not for a moment. Life is the sum of the decisions we make. I studied law with the sole intention of becoming a criminal or litigation lawyer. Advice from a mentor was to invest in an alternative area of law in case, heaven forbid, I did not enjoy criminal law. I wisely chose property law and conveyancing. Criminal law is a tough gig that robbed me of my humanity, and disillusioned, I turned away to pursue a career in property. What an enjoyable ride! Property is interesting, diverse, and challenging. Never a dull moment.
What is your proudest career moment?
A question like this makes you stop and think. We do not take time to celebrate our successes. Fortunately, there were many successes, ranging from successful lease and contract negotiations, resolving complex competing interests of stakeholders, to appearing before court and tribunals representing the council’s interests. However, my most cherished moments of my career are the positive contributions I have made to my peers and team through advice and mentoring, focusing on upskilling and empowerment.
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What important lessons have you learnt over the years?
- Your reputation is everything.
- Do not compromise your values.
- Do not promise what you cannot deliver.
You have taken others you work with under your wing and helped them to feel comfortable in their role and even mentored colleagues – why do you feel this is important?
We have all experienced the unknown of a new workplace, wondering ‘who is who…’ If you help new colleagues find their feet, then they are independent and productive sooner, and definitely happier. Knowledge is power, but it is not there for you to hoard and use to manipulate people. Knowledge increases the more you share it. Why would you not give your time to mentor colleagues? Yes, it takes time and energy. However, it is rewarding, and I have learned valuable lessons from my mentees. What better legacy than to be a part of shaping tomorrow’s leaders? Many of my mentees moved into senior roles in local and state government, and the private sector. Seeing people grow, blossom, and in turn pay it forward makes me feel like a proud parent. Go forth and conquer!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Relationships are key in my work and private life. I receive energy from those around me. My favourite activity is meeting up with friends and family. My preferred holiday is cruising; nothing beats travel in comfort with good food, cocktails, and entertainment. The feeling of indulgence.
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