In conversation with
Portia Pitt
With more than 25 years of experience in engineering and project management, Portia Pitt combines deep technical expertise with a people-first leadership style in her role as General Manager of Transport & Operations. Her degrees in Civil Engineering and Environmental Science support a sustainable approach to infrastructure delivery, while her strategic and empathetic leadership ensures her teams are empowered to deliver with excellence.
At Ventia, ‘Redefining Service Excellence’ is more than just words, it’s a commitment to continuous improvement, empowering people, fostering innovation, and keeping customer success front of mind. One leader who exemplifies this is Portia Pitt, General Manager of Transport Operations Australia.
Portia leads a $300M+ portfolio and a team of almost 500 people, overseeing critical transport assets including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne’s Eastlink, Brisbane’s airport and port, as well as key motorways and tunnels for Transurban throughout QLD and NSW. Her focus on operational performance, stakeholder engagement, and safety governance ensures that customers - whether commuters, communities, or clients - experience reliable, safe, and efficient transport services.
"The most rewarding part of my role is working with people - understanding their needs, supporting their growth, and delivering outcomes that make a real difference,” Portia shares.
We’re committed to a transparent and collaborative approach that puts customers and communities at the heart of everything we do.
Q: Tell us about your role as General Manager Transport Australia?
In my three years at Ventia, it’s safe to say that I have thrown myself into the challenge – the role, the company, and most of all the people. I oversee an enthusiastic team of almost 500 people in the Transport Australia business unit and manage a portfolio of diverse asset management, operations and maintenance contracts across Australia – including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne’s Eastlink, Brisbane’s airport and port, as well as key motorways and tunnels for Transurban throughout QLD and NSW.
While the projects are exciting, it’s the people who make the role truly memorable and rewarding.
I love working with people – it’s what I’m passionate about – to really understand them and their needs; whether it’s developing my own team, collaborating with clients, or focusing on diversity challenges.
Portia and the Transport team visiting New Zealand after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is both empathetic and collaborative. I’d also like to describe my style as strategic – someone who looks at the big picture. In all my roles I’ve worked directly with clients, and it has been critical to understand their needs, see things from their perspective, and balance with organisational needs to get the best outcome for everyone. These traits are part of my personality, but I’ve also developed them throughout my career.
My career has been shaped by curiosity and resilience, navigating traditionally male-dominated industries with authenticity and drive. I'm a passionate advocate for diversity and flexible work practices, recognising that inclusive leadership leads to stronger teams and better service delivery.
“Empathy and authenticity are powerful leadership tools,” she says. “They help us connect, innovate, and build trust—qualities that are essential when delivering critical infrastructure that people rely on every day.”
They help us connect, innovate, and build trust-qualities that are essential when delivering critical infrastructure that people rely on every day.
Q: Who inspired you to be a leader and why?
When I was studying and throughout my career, there were minimal female leaders and role models in the construction industry. What I have had and am so grateful for, is many fantastic female peers along the way, and we have supported each other. We have similar lived experience and – both the highs and the lows. In hindsight I never actually set my sights on leadership, but rather went wherever my curiosity and interests led me. I also took opportunities as they presented themselves.
Q: What are the benefits of having women in leadership roles?
The key benefit that I see is the diversity of thought it brings.
Women can often have a different way of thinking.
We also have the enormous opportunity and privilege to support women coming through the business, generally we have the lived experience and understand fundamentally the challenges of the work – life balance! I have two children, and my daughter has just started high school. Sometimes the logistics of getting everyone everywhere on time can be overwhelming!
Q: What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
From an internal perspective – our own self-belief. Women naturally hold themselves back; we expect to be recognised for our achievements rather than putting ourselves forward and imposter syndrome can strike all too easily. From an external perspective – tradition. The mentality that there is a certain way to lead, to work, to communicate needs to be broken, when there are so many different ways.
Q: How do we overcome barriers for women in the workplace?
Support and innovate to create flexible work practices – for everyone, men and women. This is central to everything. Our ability to do a good job is not determined by how much time we spend in the office.
Portia on a site visit to a tunnel maintained by Ventia
Men also require flexible work practices to support and enable the women in their lives to work and succeed in their chosen roles.
This is how we shift the culture. We know we need to retain women in middle management to have women in senior management – this will only come from flexible work practices for everyone. I know I couldn’t do my role without the flexibility and work balance afforded to my husband by his company.
Q: What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
Back yourself, have confidence in yourself. It took me a while to have confidence in my abilities, strengths, and style.
Portia joined the panel for the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) SA's inaugural International Women's Day breakfast in Adelaide.
Q: Any advice for the next generation of female leaders?
Her advice to emerging leaders? “Back yourself, Say yes to challenges and lead with empathy.”
Embrace empathy and authenticity – it’s what makes you a better leader.
Challenge yourself – move outside your comfort zone, take that speaking engagement, say “yes” to taking risks. And finally, there will be good days and bad days, but you’ve got this. You can do it.
Back yourself, Say yes to challenges and lead with empathy.
Portia’s leadership is a reflection of Ventia’s commitment to delivering high-performance outcomes through values-driven service. As transport networks evolve, leaders like Portia are helping shape a future where infrastructure works better for everyone.