Having had to pay her way through university after her mom, who was single-handedly responsible for raising her and her older brother passed away, Romy Maree is now helping others who are also disadvantaged because of a lack of resources to enter the working world.
Romy Maree, Finance Executive at Dipula Income Fund and Treasurer at SA REIT, is helping young students and professionals join the formal economy through an organisation, The Treasury, that provides them with corporate attire so they can present themselves confidently at job interviews.
The launch of her organisation, The Treasury, last year preceded her appointment as Treasurer at the SA REIT Association in March this year, and these are two completely unrelated events.
“My aim is to support upcoming students and young professionals entering the financial sector by providing them with pre-loved business clothes that have been donated by finance professionals who are passionate about giving back.”
Romy explains that these outfits, which are carefully selected, are then styled in terms of matching accessories with the garments to complete the look and then shipped to recipients at no cost.
“This helps these young South Africans present themselves confidently during job interviews and overcome one of the many disadvantages they may face entering the job market.”
My aim is to support upcoming students and young professionals entering the financial sector by providing them with pre-loved business clothes.
Romy, a CA with a BCompt from UNISA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of the Western Cape, knows all too well what it’s like to not have all the resources to pursue a career. When she was 14, her mom died and Romy started working at 16, waitressing during evenings and weekends while studying to fund her tertiary costs and to help contribute to the household.
“When I was 23, I was working as an audit clerk at Mazars and studying at night through UNISA while my fellow students were spending time doing the things that 20-year-olds do.”
Romy was then seconded to New York City as part of Mazars’ real estate team before returning to South Africa and relloacting to Johannesburg in 2019, having grown up in Cape Town.
Romy has found her career in the property sector to be fulfilling. After coming back from the US, she assumed the role of audit manager at the Mazars JHB office, specialising in real estate and JSE-listed portfolios. “I discovered my interest in the property sector during my secondment to the Mazars New York City Real Estate team. This gave me the opportunity to explore the intricacies of the real estate industry. I gained exposure to various aspects such as property management, investments, and financial analysis.”
In 2022, she moved to Dipula, which has a focus on lower-income communities, a portfolio of R9.8 billion and 170 properties under management across South Africa. “Their focus resonates deeply with my commitment to socially responsible finance and community development.”
Dipula is an internally managed, South Africa focused REIT that owns a portfolio of retail, office, industrial and residential rental assets throughout South Africa, with most of its assets located in Gauteng. Its defensive portfolio has a bias towards convenience, rural and township retail centres.
I draw inspiration from trailblazers like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.
At Dipula, she helps nurture the next generation, especially aspiring female leaders.
Romy believes that understanding people from all walks of life coupled with her deep commitment to logic and efficiency means that she doesn’t just take a technical approach when it comes to being a leader.
“I draw inspiration from trailblazers like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, whose journeys have paved the way for countless others. As I strive to be a guiding light for those who follow, I aspire to emulate their legacy of empowerment and transformation.”
Her role as Treasurer at the SA REIT Association is a welcome challenge that aligns with her aspirations to make a meaningful impact in the REIT sector, says Romy.
“By leveraging my position as Treasurer at the Association, I can actively contribute to helping create a more diverse and inclusive industry that accurately reflects the broader society it serves. I aim to drive positive change and cultivate a culture of belonging for all professionals within the REIT sector.”
Having faced the challenge of having to support her own studies while contributing to her home, and then balancing being a mom and a career woman, Romy is a staunch supporter of giving back to her community to help foster a sense of interconnectedness.
“We have the responsibility to support and uplift one another. I recognise the privilege and opportunities I've been afforded in life, and I feel a strong sense of duty to use my resources, skills, and platform to make a positive difference in the world.
“Ultimately, I believe that the measure of a fulfilling life is not only what we achieve for ourselves but also how we uplift and support those around us.”
