MBM, widely respected as Australia’s most trusted and reliable quantity surveying and asset management consultancy, shows an impactful commitment to balance the scales in the NSW construction industry. The firm sits at 48% female representation across its seven national offices, and three women within the business have gone above and beyond to drive meaningful progress for the next generation to professionally thrive.
Equity Director Autumn Lu, Associate Director Sabrina Tapson, and Executive Quantity Surveyor Georgia Brady are experts in their field who propel complex projects across Australia’s key sectors – from social infrastructure, to affordable housing, and commercial high rises. At the same time, they lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor young professionals, influence industry standards, and actively nurture the voices of the next generation.
Leading Through Excellence and Inclusivity
Autumn Lu has driven MBM’s success during her 16-year tenure in the business. Starting as a cadet in 2010, Autumn rose to Director in 2023 before being invited to join as an Equity Director in 2025. Her executive leadership has touched all areas of the firm and transformed MBM's industry reputation through her work on major hospitals (up to $600m) and schools (up to $300m), to mixed-use residential (up to $600m), retail shopping centres and expert witness.
Autumn’s career journey has been marked by grit and resilience. As a woman in construction and a non-native English speaker, she overcame both gender and linguistic barriers. As a leader, she champions opportunities for culturally diverse women, and mentor's employees to navigate the challenges she once faced. In 2025 alone, Autumn mentored MBM’s young female team members, which contributed to multiple promotions. She doubled down on her impact as a mentor with engagement in three major industry mentorship programs, supported two external women at different career stages, and was named a finalist for NAWIC NSW Businesswoman of the Year Award.
Turning Strategy into Social Impact
Sabrina Tapson is best known as a national expert and trusted advisor to major clients in social and affordable housing. Her major contributions to the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, retirement living sector, student accommodation and Build to Rent developments have propelled billions in critical housing supply across Australia. But beyond her work delivering housing at scale, she is a role model for women in construction.
Sabrina leads a team of seven professionals with an 87% female ratio, and focuses on mentorship, capability development, and creating opportunities for junior team members to build confidence through new responsibilities. She sees the foundations of meaningful guidance as trust, exposure, and advocacy. Sabrina has consistently given people the space to succeed, and created pathways for women to grow into senior and leadership roles within the industry – evident by the career growth of women across her team.
Reducing Boundaries for the Next Generation
Young professional Georgia Brady is no stranger to hard work. Mentored by Founding Director and past NAWIC NSW Champion of Change David Madden, she excels in hospitality and commercial fitout projects. She was awarded the 2025 NAWIC NSW Award for Achievement in Construction, Refurbishment and Fitout for her work on The International’s Martin Place fitout. Georgia’s experiences fuel her inclusive leadership style with a central goal to help young women succeed.
Georgia leads industry change by actively mentoring and supporting the women in her team at different stages of their careers. She’s carved opportunities for young professionals across seniorities during her 10 years at MBM, and focuses on mentorship, technical training, and helping the next generation build real networks.
Balancing the scales requires leaders like Autumn, Sabrina and Georgia, who’s experiences inform their commitment to reduce gender barriers for the next generation. As MBM proudly strives towards an equal 50/50 gender ratio, the firm is always looking for talented women to join the national team. Find out more on the firm’s Careers page here: https://mbmpl.com.au/careers/