Meet the Ambassadors: Shannon Burke

The flex space industry is built on people, and Shannon Burke’s career is a testament to just how far people-first thinking can take you.  

Having navigated a non-traditional path through events, film and property, Shannon brings a refreshingly honest, human approach to leadership.     

As Founder of managed. she’s helping reshape how technology supports operators in our sector while championing a more inclusive, supportive industry along the way.  

We’re excited to have her as part of our Women in Flex ambassador community.  

A Non-Traditional Path  

Shannon didn’t start out in property; her career spans events, film, and commercial real estate.   

But at the core of every move was a simple instinct: follow the work that connects people and delivers solutions.
 
“I had no idea what I wanted to do, but knew that I loved solution-based products, human interaction and B2B businesses. It wasn’t a ‘traditional’ journey, but one aligned with both my people-led values”  

That curiosity and adaptability laid the foundation for leadership in an industry that thrives on flexibility, relationships, and community.

Learning to Lead  

 Stepping into leadership brought fresh lessons and new perspectives on what teams truly need:  

“It’s ok not to have all of the answers all of the time. People don’t need perfect plans; they need direction, transparency, and the confidence that you’ll adapt as things evolve.”  

That philosophy came to life when launching a new flex platform managed. Rather than building in isolation, Shannon embraced co-creation:  

“I realised early on that creating a new solution-based product meant not just building a solution for users, but with them. A collaborative approach built trust, created momentum and resulted in a product that solved real-life problems as opposed to problems I thought existed.”  

Owning Her Voice as a Leader  

For Shannon, great leadership is rooted in authenticity:  

“Owning my voice as a female leader means leaning into my feminine energy and leading with authenticity, rather than trying to fit into a mould.”  

It also means creating space for others to show up fully:  

“To feel safe, seen, and empowered to express themselves so they can help shape the future of commercial property. ”  

Navigating the Challenges  

Like many women, Shannon has faced moments of impostor syndrome, especially when launching her business:  

“I’d walk into meetings with people, often men, leading confidently without second-guessing themselves, and I’d remind myself: if they can back themselves with that level of certainty, so can I”  

Shannon is a strong believer that challenges aren’t downfalls: “There’s no such thing as mistakes, only learnings.” For her, testing new approaches — even when they don’t work out — is part of growth.  

One of those hard-earned lessons? The importance of cultural fit over pure performance:  

“Protecting team dynamics over chasing short-term gains.”  

 It’s a lesson she now carries forward as both a founder and a leader.  

Shifting the Industry

Early on, Shannon sometimes questioned whether she fit into the industry:  

“I’ve often sat around tables where I felt like I didn’t belong. I’m so different from the typical ‘commercial agent’ but I started to see that difference as an advantage”  

Her perspective is helping drive much-needed diversity and inclusion across the sector:  

“Big brands helped move the needle by normalising D&I conversations, the conventional side of property still has a way to go, but the momentum is growing”  

What Makes a Great Leader?  

“You don’t need to stand on someone else’s head to climb the ladder. Lift others as you rise.”  

Shannon’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration and community, qualities that flex space thrives on. When asked what skills matter most in flex:

“Confidence, strong communication, and relationship-building – those are the big three… My biggest advice? Learn by doing. Push your boundaries. Say yes to the scary things. Confidence only comes through repetition.”    

Why Women in Flex Matters   

For Shannon, Women in Flex is about creating space for women to thrive and making sure no one feels they have to lead alone:  

“Women in Flex creates space for women to be seen, heard, and supported in an industry that’s still finding its balance when it comes to representation.”
 
Quoting Malala Yousafzai, Shannon reminds us: “I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”  

For Shannon, it’s also about building a stronger pipeline of women leaders and fostering open, honest conversations about the challenges women still face in flex and commercial property, so that future progress comes faster and is shared by all.    

Being an Ambassador  

As an ambassador, Shannon is committed to paying that mindset forward and helping other women feel empowered to own their voice:  

“If I can help even one woman feel more confident in her journey, then I’m doing something right.”  

For Shannon, that starts with showing up authentically and encouraging others to do the same, because when women lead as themselves, they pave the way for a more inclusive, dynamic industry for everyone.  

If you’re passionate about shaping more diverse, future-facing workspaces, we’d love you to be part of the journey.   

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