Our People
People personify organisations. They are the embodiment of a company’s character, identity and soul. We believe this collective energy is the foundation that transformative projects are built on.
At Podia, we have a cohort of passionate individuals that are encouraged to think independently, ideate openly, and pursue quality and excellence. When this spark is focused as a team, we deliver new standards of place-making.
Michael Grassi
Director, Development
Possessing a depth of experience shaped from his involvement in small, medium and large scale developments, Michael Grassi has advanced skills in the establishment phases of the development cycle together with a forward-thinking approach to design optimisation and excellence.
With Michael’s early immersion into a project, stakeholders know their project will be driven with a single-mindedness that will result in the achievement of their objectives. With over 18 years experience, Michael has proven abilities in the identification and acquisition of development sites across all property disciplines realising significant gains through aligning end users to maximise development outcomes.
With his progressive and innovative approach to the identification, appraisal, acquisition, planning and design of projects, Michael has a singular focus on creating the very best outcomes for end users, stakeholders, clients and the broader community.
Cameron Thomson
Director, Delivery
With more than 28 years of experience in the construction and property industry Cameron Thomson’s comprehensive experience in delivering complex development, construction and fit out projects ensures that clients and stakeholders alike can be confident their project will be managed intelligently and delivered efficiently.
Known for his construction and delivery expertise across all sectors of the industry, Cameron has established skills in the systematic delivery of projects be they straightforward, complex or stressed to achieve the key objectives of the Client. He consistently manages and delivers projects exceeding Client expectations.
With his advanced skills in project team procurement and leadership, Cameron now has his sights firmly focused on establishing Podia as the “go to” enterprise for ensuring the successful realisation of a project’s vision.
Kate Phillips
Chief Operating Officer
Kate Phillips brings to Podia extensive legal, commercial and management experience accumulated over her international career in law, finance and professional services.
Prior to joining Podia, Kate spent over ten years at top tier global law firms in both Australia and the UK, including King & Wood Mallesons, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Greenberg Traurig. With a focus on private equity real estate transactions, she regularly advised on the establishment of joint ventures and funds, structured acquisitions and dispositions, and investment in alternative asset classes on high-profile real estate matters across Australia and Europe and in London.
During her early years in London, Kate was an award-winning Senior Sales Negotiator for a leading UK real estate agent gaining experience in all aspects of the residential sales process. Preceding her return to Australia, she was seconded to the Merchant Banking Real Estate Division of Goldman Sachs covering real estate transactions including bid/tender processes, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, platform strategies, fund establishments, asset management, litigation and financing across the EMEA jurisdictions.
With her diverse professional skillset and positive “can-do” attitude, Kate is firmly focused on helping to drive the overall success of Podia by managing and leading its business operations comprising legal, financial, compliance, HR, IT and administrative functions.
Dominic Biancardi
Senior Development Manager
Dominic is a highly motivated and experienced real estate professional with demonstrated success in both site acquisitions and project delivery across multiple sectors. With over 12 years’ experience in the property industry navigating complex strategic planning pathways and negotiating approvals, Dominic specialises in site identification, appraisal and acquisitions and development management.
Dominic’s experience in preparing structured acquisitions combined with his extensive involvement in delivering large-scale long-term projects provides a unique skill set to any development opportunity with the aim to create innovative, sustainable and high quality projects that add value and maximise development returns for both Podia and our clients.
Dominic’s early involvement at the inception phase of any project opportunity, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the development, design and construction lifecycle, ensures that clients and stakeholders alike can be confident that every opportunity identified will be strategically appraised and evaluated to ensure every project can be delivered successfully.
Nathan Trajcevski
Senior Development Manager
With over 18 years’ experience in the Property Development and Construction Industry Nathan brings with him extensive experience delivering large scale commercial, residential, retail and industrial projects for numerous tier one construction companies and developers.
Focused primarily on the successful delivery of our projects, Nathan is responsible for all Client and Stakeholder management throughout the delivery phase of the project. With his enthusiastic and practical approach to project delivery, Nathan prides himself on providing our Clients and Partners with innovative, cost effective design and construction solutions.
With his background in Construction Management coupled with his broad project experience and construction knowledge, Nathan will manage all aspects of the project delivery phase, including design development, tendering, authority approvals, consultants, head contract, program and cost reporting through to project completion and handover.
John Melville
Head of Sales
John brings over a decade of experience in real estate and property development sales, delivering exceptional sales results and strategies. With a deep understanding of the property market, John has successfully negotiated record sales, led sales teams, spearheaded high-value projects, and cultivated strong relationships with clients, investors, and partners.
His expertise spans across residential, commercial, and mixed-use property sales ensures tailored solutions for his client needs. Known for his market knowledge, John plays a pivotal role in guiding Podia’s sales strategy, from initial concept through to completion.
John holds a degree in Property Economics from the University of Technology Sydney and is passionate about creating value-driven, sustainable developments that enhance communities and exceed customer expectations.
Sebastian McEwan
Development Manager
With a background in valuation, Sebastian brings an analytical and detailed orientated approach to his work at Podia. Sebastian has over 6 years’ experience covering the residential and mixed-use development sector, specialising in commercial valuations, development advisory and market research for institutional and private clients in the property sector.
During his time as a certified valuer, Sebastian developed a strong understanding of many aspects of the real estate and property development industry, including pre-acquisition due diligence, analysis of joint venture and project delivery agreements, commercial negotiations, analysis of market trends and preparation of market research and liaising with various industry participants including local Council, Authorities, State Government departments and the private sector (Owners, Investors and Banks).
At Podia, Sebastian is proficient in the production of detailed feasibilities and has an excellent ability to quickly appraise the viability of any new development opportunity during the early acquisition phase. Sebastian’s detailed orientated skills are also invaluable during the delivery phases of projects, including preparing cost reports and project reports, coordination of consultant and construction teams to deliver on various project objectives, administering and overseeing various legal and consultant agreements and the like.
Overall, Sebastian’s support is instrumental to the broader development team at Podia to ensure that each projects objectives are realised on time and on budget.
James Simpson
Development Manager
James plays a central role in the design and development of Podia projects, working closely with collaborators and consultants to ensure Podia projects meet the highest possible standards of design, development and construction.
Prior to joining Podia, James worked as a Solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills in the Real Estate team in Melbourne working across the property development, planning, environment and construction sectors.
James started his property journey as an Assistant Development Manager at PACASA, a newly established property development company. Prior to PACASA, he gained technical skills in financial modelling and accounting while working in corporate finance at Nomura, PwC and Stratford Capital.
Our Culture
Our culture is warm and welcoming. We provide space to work at your best, but also to nurture your physical and mental wellbeing. Because working well begins with wellbeing – and generates positivity across our workplace.
We are open and inclusive: we value honesty, energy, and learning from our collective experiences. An environment that is caring and respectful is generative, and growth comes from being valued and having agency.
Together, these beliefs generate determined and resilient humans – and when they are combined with a progressive work culture, it empowers the pioneering and insightful work we do in the wider world.
Interested in joining Our Team?
Please get in touch_