A prominent LA-based figure in the #MeToo movement has taken to the stage in Sydney this week to speak about equalising power dynamics in the real estate industry.

Louisette Geiss, one of the first women to publicly come forward against Harvey Weinstein, was the keynote speaker at the REINSW Women in Real Estate conference held on 26 March at the Art Gallery of NSW.

The annual event is designed to bring together women across the industry and well-known local and international speakers for a day of professional development and personal inspiration.

Ms Geiss was a working producer, actress, singer and writer for more than 20 years, but left the entertainment industry after her experience with Weinstein. She reinvented herself and moved into social media, before working in title insurance protection and settlement services for home buyers and real estate agents.

She said there needed to be a shift away from "what women and men had been asked to accept for hundreds of years".

"We have a responsibility to empower women and men to work towards ending harassment, particularly in industries where there is a growing gender imbalance," she said.

"Regardless of whether you are in the real estate industry or entertainment industry, it’s incredibly vital that we respect one another and work towards ending the negative power struggle that has been widely accepted.

"I feel strongly that we need to hold each other up and hold each other accountable."

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REINSW Women in Real Estate conference keynote speaker Louisette Geiss. Source: REINSW

Other speakers at WIRE 2019 included agent and founder of Good Deeds Property Buyers Veronica Morgan, who presented on mastering difficult conversations, and REA branding specialist Imogen Ball, who spoke about overcoming the challenges of a modern-day businesswoman to build your brand.

Ewan Morton, co-founder and joint managing director of real estate company Morton, award-winning Belle Property principal Cathy Baker, international leadership influencer and body language expert Dr Louise Mahler, and CEO of Domestic Violence NSW Moo Baulch also presented across the day.

REINSW President Leanne Pilkington told WILLIAMS MEDIA it was an "incredible" day.

"The 2019 REINSW WIRE event was another sellout," she said.

"The speakers were wide-ranging in their experiences, ages, genders and job roles, but consistent in their messages.

"When we believe in ourselves and support each other we can achieve incredible things.

"We’re also proud to have supported Domestic Violence NSW through this event."

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