Our People
Board of Directors
Myra Salkinder
MBA, BA
Myra is a Non-independent, Non-Executive Director and is a senior executive of the Kirsh Group. She has been integrally involved over many years with the continued expansion of the Kirsh Group’s property and other investments, both in South Africa, Australia and internationally. Myra is a director of various companies associated with the Kirsh Group worldwide.
Myra is a member of Sustainability & WHS Committee.
Steven Sewell
BSc
Steven was appointed Managing Director of Abacus Group in April 2018 after joining Abacus in October 2017 as Chief Investment Officer and Head of Strategy. Steven brings extensive experience in real estate funds management, asset management, equity and debt capital markets and M&A transactions, as well as valuable insight and connection to global real estate investors. Steven focuses on whole business and investment strategies, capital allocation and developing third party capital relationships.
Before joining Abacus, Steven was an Executive Director in Macquarie’s Asset Management Division, developing Macquarie’s Real Estate strategies as part of its Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) division in the UK and Australia. Steven supported the development and expansion of MIRA’s platform in key markets. Prior roles included, Managing Director and CEO of Federation Centres (now Vicinity Centres), an ASX-listed REIT with then A$23 billion of Australian shopping centres under management, and CEO of Macquarie CountryWide Trust (now Charter Hall Retail REIT) with shopping centre holdings in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and US. Over this period Steven served six years as Chairman of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, and Director of the Property Council of Australia.
Trent Alston
B. Build. (Hons), GMQ - AGSM, AMP - Insead, GAICD
Trent is a Non-Executive Director and has over 30 years of experience in the real estate and funds management industry with the last 13 years as Head of Real Estate for Challenger Limited. His past experience includes direct and wholesale property roles at Colonial First State Property and LendLease.
Trent is Chair of the People Performance and Nomination Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk and Sustainability & WHS Committees.
Mark Haberlin
Sc (Eng) Hons, FCA
Mark is a Non-Executive Director and is Lead Independent Director. He has significant expertise in fields that cover accounting and audit, capital transactions, mergers and acquisitions and risk management in the real estate and financial services sectors. Mark was a partner at PwC for 24 years where he developed key accounting and audit experience. Mark was a member of the PwC Governance Board and completed his last two years as Chair. Mark is also a Non-Executive Director of LayBuy Holdings Limited and Australian Clinical Labs.
Mark is Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and a member of the People Performance and Nomination Committee.
Jingmin Qian
CFA, BEc, MBA, FAICD
Ms Qian is a Non-Executive Director and has significant expertise in the property, infrastructure and investment sectors as well as rich experience in Asia. Ms Qian previously worked at L.E.K. Consulting, Boral Limited and Leighton Holdings, with a broad range of commercial responsibilities covering strategy, planning, investment review, mergers and acquisitions, operational improvement and Asia expansion. Ms Qian has served as a member of the business liaison program of the Reserve Bank of Australia. Ms Qian is a non-executive director of IPH Limited, a trustee of HMC Capital Partner Fund, a member of Macquarie University Council, a director of the CFA Society Australia, Jing Meridian and the National Vice President of the Australia China Business Council. Jingmin is a member of Chief Executive Women.
Ms Qian is Chair of the Sustainability & WHS Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk and People Performance and Nomination Committees.
Executive Leadership Team
Steven Sewell
Steven was appointed Managing Director of Abacus Group in April 2018 after joining Abacus in October 2017 as Chief Investment Officer and Head of Strategy. Steven brings extensive experience in real estate funds management, asset management, equity and debt capital markets and M&A transactions, as well as valuable insight and connection to global real estate investors. Steven focuses on whole business and investment strategies, capital allocation and developing third party capital relationships.
Before joining Abacus, Steven was an Executive Director in Macquarie’s Asset Management Division, developing Macquarie’s Real Estate strategies as part of its Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) division in the UK and Australia. Steven supported the development and expansion of MIRA’s platform in key markets. Prior roles included, Managing Director and CEO of Federation Centres (now Vicinity Centres), an ASX-listed REIT with then A$23 billion of Australian shopping centres under management, and CEO of Macquarie CountryWide Trust (now Charter Hall Retail REIT) with shopping centre holdings in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and US.
Over this period Steven served six years as Chairman of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, and Director of the Property Council of Australia.
Paula Bauchinger
Paula brings over 20 years experience in people and culture leadership roles covering strategy development, organisational development, transformation and change across private, ASX listed and global companies within the FMCG, Financial Services, tourism, and retail sectors.
She was previously the Director – Human Resources, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at David Jones.
John Courtney
John joined Abacus Group in 2018 and brings over 25 years experience in the Property and Construction Industries. He is responsible for the Group’s Developments.
John has had significant exposure across all aspects of property including leasing, property management, asset management and development management across a number of ASX listed companies and REITs.
Kevin George
Kevin joined Abacus in 2024 and is responsible for the Group’s Commercial portfolio.
Kevin has over 25 years of real estate experience with extensive knowledge across asset management, leasing and development, having held senior management roles at JLL and most recently as Executive General Manager – Office, at Dexus.
Evan Goodridge
Evan joined Abacus Group in 2011. He is responsible for overseeing the finance, tax, treasury and IT functions across the Group.
Evan has over 15 years of experience across all areas of real estate and finance including treasury, valuations, accounting, tax and financial reporting. Prior to Abacus Property Group, Evan worked for a leading ASX listed real estate valuation firm. He holds a CPA and is an associate of the Australian Property Institute.
Nikki Lawson
Nikki is a proven brand builder and business leader of high profile, dispersed, retail operations. She has over 25 years experience in roles covering business strategy, marketing, customer experience, digital, network development and general management.
Before joining Abacus, Nikki held various positions across Unilever and YUM! Brands, including Chief Marketing Officer in Africa, Australia/NZ and the USA, Chief Development Officer in Australia/NZ and Managing Director of Australia/NZ.
Gavin Lechem
Gavin joined Abacus Group in 2010 and is responsible for Abacus’ investment activities, together with the Group’s legal and risk functions.
Gavin has over 25 years experience in real estate, investment banking and law. He commenced his career as a Solicitor at law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills and spent 10 years at Macquarie Group as a Division Director in real estate investment banking prior to joining Abacus.
Cynthia Rouse
Cynthia joined Abacus Group in 2018 bringing over 20 years experience across listed and unlisted real estate investment management. She is responsible for the Group’s Investor Relations and Corporate Communications functions.
Cynthia has extensive equities investment experience on both the buy side and sell side (covering REITs and Developers), and is a Chartered Accountant, CA.