Corporate News

Villawood Properties development manager Sonja Ponikvar has won the prestigious Stuart Main Young Leader gong at the UDIA SA annual awards.

Working with Villawood since early this year on its 1340-lot Oakden Rise Adelaide infill project, alongside partner Renewal SA, Sonja holds a stellar CV with a fistful of industry team awards for marketing and masterplanning while leading the on-site management of the highly regarded Fort Largs project at Taperoo.

Serving also as chair of the UDIA Young Professionals Group, Sonja has been able to pair her skills driving positive development project outcomes with a nurturing role for young professionals while expanding her network and engaging with higher levels of management.

Sonja’s Stuart Main Young Leader award was the second achieved by a Villawood staffer in as many years, following fellow development manager Annie Russell’s recognition in 2024.

She said development work “balancing commercial objectives and project timelines with the diverse expectations of stakeholders” could present a challenge but also valuable opportunities for growth.

“No two days are the same, and I find fulfilment in working collaboratively towards a shared outcome,” she said.

A relative newcomer to Villawood, Sonja says Oakden is probably the biggest project she’s worked on.

“Its scope is quite broad and a unique proposition as probably the largest private infill site in Adelaide. This new challenge is set to broaden my skills and diversify my experience with larger projects, and I look forward to this next chapter.