Are you motivated to have a meaningful career, grounded in purpose and connection with community? If so, there’s one sector you may not have considered: land development and renewable energy.
Growing up on a small sheep and horticultural property just outside of Christchurch in New Zealand, Toni Ward developed a deep love for the land from an early age, a love that has only grown stronger over the years.
As the Director of Land for Windlab, a 100% Australian-focused renewable energy company, Toni spoke with us about how her extensive work contributes to Australia’s clean energy transition.
A passionate career start
Toni believes that meaningful career growth comes from staying grounded in your values. Whether it’s being a good listener, showing up with integrity, or simply taking the time to understand the land and the people who care for it, Toni sees each day as an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
“One of the greatest joys of my work is the privilege of being welcomed onto landholders’ properties and into their homes, sitting around their kitchen tables, hearing their stories, and learning about the history that shaped them.”
For Toni, these connections are more than just a part of the job — they’re the foundation of a fulfilling career. Working in land development and renewables has allowed her to blend her passion for people, the environment, and regional communities into one purpose-driven path.
“Country people are some of the most resilient, proud individuals you’ll ever meet, and having the chance to build genuine, lasting relationships with them over time is something I never take for granted.”
Now, with years of experience behind her, she’s sharing what she’s learned — from breaking into the industry to growing a career that supports both personal purpose and community progress.
5 guaranteed ways to grow a career in land development and renewable energy
1. Identify (and maximise on) your transferable skills.
Toni attended university in America, where she completed a Bachelor of Science. But when she returned home to Australia, her field of study wasn’t widely recognised yet. So she found herself at a crossroads.
She decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps (and her long-held love of property) by entering the property industry, spending more than two decades in a wide range of property-related fields.
“I started in residential and commercial property management before moving into acquiring mobile telecommunication sites for Australia’s big three service providers, helping to broaden our mobile networks.”
She then spent a decade in the coal seam gas industry, working across upstream and downstream development, gaining invaluable experience in the energy sector.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been incredibly fortunate. Every role has allowed me to travel to remote corners of our country, drive roads few people ever do, and meet genuine, hardworking people from all walks of life.”
Eventually, an unplanned tap on the shoulder led her into the world of renewables.
“My background and transferable skills aligned well with the requirements of the Senior Land Manager role at Windlab.. It was a move that felt both natural and meaningful. I could continue building a career based on the values I hold close to my heart: honesty, respect, and integrity.”
2. Find a company that aligns with your values.
If you’re going to invest your time and energy into growing a career, why not find an organisation with a mission that matters to you? For Toni, Windlab was exactly that:
“At the time, it was still a relatively small company – ambitious, innovative, and deeply committed to growing without losing the culture that made it special. What drew me in was Windlab’s origin story: born out of the CSIRO, built on world-class technology, and proudly Australian. That combination of cutting-edge expertise and strong local focus resonated with me.”
The company’s vision to invest in its people and foster innovation offered her the incredible opportunity to take her career to the next level.
“From the beginning, there was a genuine openness to new ideas. That trust gave me the freedom to build a team of skilled, like-minded professionals who share a passion for the land.”
She successfully built her team over a couple of years and progressed to her current role as Director:
“Together, under the Windlab banner, we work to deliver opportunities that not only benefit the landholders we partner with, but also support their primary businesses and strengthen the communities around them to achieve outcomes that will last for generations.”
Windlab also received the Equitable Workplace Award 2025 in the Mining, Energy, and Resource (small to medium-sized business) category at the Work180 International Women’s Day Summit. This accolade underscores their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Windlab is leading the way when it comes to connecting your purpose with your career. With their supportive company policies and benefits, you’re in good hands.
Compare policies and benefits and explore current opportunities.
3. Lead with your personality (and pastries!).
When you can bring your whole self to work, in a role that fits your skill set and your personality, it’s easier to build trust, communicate confidently, and do genuine work.
As a strong-willed woman and a self-confessed extrovert, Toni always gets a chuckle out of meeting landholders face-to-face for the first time.
“After a few good phone conversations, where we build rapport and naturally form our own mental pictures of each other, the moment of truth arrives. And it rarely disappoints. Picture this: I roll up in a Land Cruiser, hop down from the driver’s seat… and promptly level out with the side mirror. At a towering five feet tall (on a good day, with the right boots!). I’ve surprised more than a few landholders at that first handshake. It’s always an instant icebreaker.”
Her other secret tip for building rapport? She never arrives empty-handed:
“Good manners are important, and arriving with a tasty treat from the local bakery tends to smooth over any initial surprises. After all, in the bush, a good chat, a cuppa and something sweet goes a long way in building trust – no ladder required!”
4. Your life experience is a strength — use it at work.
Finding space outside of work for the things that bring you joy is a great way to achieve balance. It can also help you show up with more energy, perspective, and purpose in your role.
Beyond her love of property, exploring Australia’s outback has become one of the greatest joys Toni and her husband share. Their annual leave consists of hitting the road in their 4WD and chasing adventure across some of the country’s most remote and breathtaking areas.
“We’ve made it all the way to the tip of Cape York (being the most northern people in Australia that night, camping under the stars), tackled the Gibb River Road and Cape Leveque, wandered the Yorke Peninsula, and crossed the Simpson Desert. We’ve driven the dusty stretches of the Tanami, Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks, and so many other less-travelled routes, soaking in the incredible diversity and history of the land.”
For Toni, travel and exploration—whether that’s a big outback adventure, overseas trips, or simply riding her e-bike or Harley Davidson around Brisbane on a sunny day—help her stay balanced. This gives her the space to recharge and reconnect with what she loves and bring energy, gratitude, and a new outlook to her work and everyday life.
“Despite all we’ve seen, we know we’ve only just scratched the surface, and our ‘must-visit and revisit’ list continues to grow with every trip.”
5. It’s easier to grow when you believe in what you do.
The most fulfilling careers aren’t just about where you are now, but where you’re heading. Toni’s future is full of hope, purpose, and opportunity.
“I truly see my future with Windlab, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead for the company and my growth within it. I’m looking forward to broadening our project portfolio while supporting the delivery of our near-construction projects. With such a strong pipeline of high-quality projects and a team of talented, passionate people driving them forward, it’s an incredibly exciting time to be here.”
Everyone has a different version of success. Toni doesn’t aspire to be CEO. Instead, she aims to continue working in an industry she believes in and continue giving back to the broader regional communities in Windlab‘s project areas:
“I want to continue being part of projects that leave a positive legacy, creating opportunities that will endure for generations.”
Another big part of her hopes for the future includes mentoring others:
“I want to help grow the next generation of passionate land and development professionals within Windlab and beyond, sharing the lessons I’ve learnt and helping them navigate the rewarding but often complex world we work in. Being able to support others in their growth while continuing my own journey is something I find incredibly meaningful, and I’m grateful to be in a company where that kind of contribution is valued.”
