Sam Mawberino’s career journey has been anything but linear, but that’s exactly what has made it so fulfilling. She began in hospitality and hospitality management before moving into payroll and administration. While earning a degree in biological science, she spent several years working in IVF and pathology labs. Then came a bold pivot into real estate—first in sales administration, then property management—before finding her niche at JLL as a Transaction Manager representing government clients. Working with Defence in this role set her on the path she’s on today.
One of the biggest challenges Sam has faced was returning to work after having a baby—a time filled with emotional complexity and guilt. “Sending your child to daycare at six months old is incredibly tough,” she reflects. But over time, she has seen the benefits, both in her daughter’s social development and in her own sense of balance and fulfilment.
Among her proudest professional achievements is her ability to embrace change and, more importantly, knowing when to seek it. Her mentors have played a key role in shaping her journey, particularly Brett Weeks, her former supervisor at JLL, who encouraged her to believe in her abilities even when she doubted herself. Today, she continues to learn from her current supervisor, Paul Morton, whose emphasis on emotional intelligence has profoundly influenced her professional growth.
For women looking to build a career in this space, Sam’s advice is simple: be honest, authentic, organised, and always client-focused. She has seen progress for women in the industry but believes there’s still more to be done—like government-paid leave in the first trimester, a critical time that is often overlooked.
Sam is driven every day by her family, especially by the desire to set an example for her daughter—that it’s possible to have both a fulfilling career and a family life. If she could have coffee with anyone, it would be her paternal grandmother, believing she could gain deeper insight into herself through that conversation.
She swears by an organised inbox, insisting that while it takes time to set up, the long-term benefits are invaluable. The best advice she has ever received? “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” And if she could master any skill instantly, it would be learning another language—because communication, in all its forms, is a powerful tool.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Sam—not just for her adaptability and expertise but for the way she champions growth, balance, and authenticity in both work and life.
