Our Women of Defence: Esti Cogger
Project Director and Innovation Lead for Defence
Our partnership with the Department of Defence (DoD) provides the opportunity to innovate and improve our processes across our diverse portfolio. Spearheading this innovation is Esti Cogger, Project Director - and Innovation Lead. Having been with JLL for over nine years, Esti has had a transformative impact on our Defence programs.
When Esti started with JLL, she had clear aspirations to grow, and was proactive from the outset. She is an active participant in our mentorship and internal programs, which are designed to promote women in leadership. While diversity, equity and inclusion are development KPIs for every manager at JLL, Esti has made the most of all opportunities available and continues to lead by example.
Alongside Esti’s technical skills in project management, her talent for communication, leadership and problem solving saw her lead the JLL DoD COVID-19 Stimulus Program. A national initiative, the stimulus package was intended to maintain commercial activity amid the economic challenges of the pandemic. It was a large and complex program, which ultimately had significant positive impact on small to medium enterprises.
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Since this program, Esti has been leading successful teams on JLL’s Defence account. Now, she’s central to facilitating collaboration within the industry to support Defence in its innovation initiatives. The projects Esti works on are varied in scope, but ultimately impactful far beyond what she could have predicted when she started in the role. Esti said: “In addition to supporting Australia’s defence capability, I also have an opportunity to support Australian people and communities. From small and medium enterprises to Indigenous businesses, veterans, and the environment. It’s very fulfilling and satisfying.”
The recognition Esti has received goes well beyond internal accolades. In 2017, Esti won the National Association of Women in Construction, Crystal Vision Award for Advancing the Interests of Women in the Construction Industry. She has also been a finalist for the Defence Connect Innovator of the Year, Defence Connect Female Defence Leader of The Year and at the ADM Women in Defence Awards.
Through making the effort to truly understand the needs of Defence, Esti ensures her entire team is aligned in their goals and continually targeting areas of improvement to support Australian people and communities. For Esti, she wants to continue evolving with the role and invest in initiatives and people through her leadership with JLL.