The transactions director at Leaf Living on how she got started in the property industry, her favourite TV show and podcast, her best and worst purchases and her number-one travel destination.
Natasha Virani
How did you join the property industry?
Property has been part of my life from a young age. My family works in the sector, so I was always interested in it and went on to study the subject as part of my master’s degree. I went straight into the industry after graduation, so it was a very natural progression.
What does your job entail?
My role in the business has grown as the business itself has expanded, but my job now is focused on leading transactions, including sourcing and executing new investments, structuring deals and working closely with internal teams and partners to deliver new opportunities.
What do you like most about the industry?
The constant opportunity to learn. The sector is incredibly broad, with exposure to different asset classes, markets and disciplines, meaning no two days are the same. There is also scope to draw inspiration from global markets, particularly in the residential sector, which is constantly adapting.
And what do you dislike most about it?
The industry can be relatively slow to evolve compared with other sectors, particularly when it comes to adopting new technologies. Certain asset classes have historically lagged behind in innovation. However, this is beginning to change, and there’s now a growing opportunity to leverage AI technology to transform how we work and operate.
What are your favourite buildings?
I grew up in Vancouver, so I’m really drawn to the interesting approaches to residential architecture that have emerged over time there. Two favourites are Alberni by Kengo Kuma, with its sculptural shape and use of wood; and Vancouver House, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, which is remarkable for how it transforms as it rises, widening out from a very narrow base.
Who in property has inspired you?
My biggest inspiration has been my dad, who works in the industry in Vancouver. His entrepreneurial mindset and ideas and perspectives on how cities grow and change have had a lasting impact on me. Seeing first hand how he thinks and works through ideas and adapts to different challenges has been hugely influential.
If you had not gone into property, what would you be doing?
I’d likely be closer to a charitable or community-focused role. My aunt has Down’s syndrome, so it’s something I’ve always felt strongly connected to and would like to become more involved with over time.
What would you change about the industry?
I’d love to improve access and visibility into different career paths within the sector, particularly on the investment and finance side. Making these pathways clearer would help open up the industry to a broader and more diverse range of people.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Building a career somewhere entirely new. Entering the UK’s property industry without an established network and progressing to where I am today has been very rewarding.
What do you value in people?
I value a strong sense of purpose, creative thinking and problem-solving.
What advice would you give someone starting a career in property?
Be patient and stay curious. A career in property takes time to build and no one starts at the top. Try to learn something from every experience, ask questions and take the time to understand how different parts of the industry fit together. Even tasks that seem small at
the time often become invaluable learning foundations later on.
Top recommendations
Favourite destination?
Tasmania. The landscape is stunning, the people are incredibly welcoming and it feels relatively untouched. There’s a museum called the Museum of Old and New Art, which is well worth seeing. It’s architecturally striking and perched on a cliffside – even getting there is part of the experience as you have to arrive by boat. I loved it so much I went twice.
Favourite TV show?
I really like Yellowstone, not least because it’s primarily about land, property and ownership. The series looks at all the ways in which value, heritage and power intersect, with perspectives from ranchers, indigenous communities and corporate interests, highlighting the complex and often competing relationships tied to land.
Favourite podcast?
I listen to a lot of podcasts, but one I return to regularly is CBC’s The House. It provides insightful coverage of Canadian politics, and I like that it often challenges mainstream viewpoints, which I find valuable.
Best and worst purchases?
The best investments are the ones you make in yourself. For me, that means my education, professional development, training courses and health and fitness. In terms of worst purchases, flights purchased pre-Covid that ended up being cancelled are probably a difficult one to square.
