Veronica Sutantio

Destined for the top

NOT MANY SECOND-GENERATION leaders would be willing to hand out flyers in a shopping mall. Veronica Sutantio is one of the few. Her 10 years in the Surabaya-based property consultancy ERA Galaxy have seen her work in different departments, clock in long hours and climb the career ladder from the lowest echelon. “I don’t have to prove anything to my team anymore, because they’ve seen me get my hands dirty throughout my time here,” she grins.

Veronica’s educational background is hospitality management. She is a graduate of Les Roches Hotel Management School in Switzerland. However, she has been destined to be a leader since she was still a student. Back then, she shadowed her parents ( Hendro Sutantio and Fenny Gunawan) at meetings, exhibitions and business-related functions to learn about the property industry.

Now a Strategic Director at the company, Veronica uses state-of-the-art digital platforms to develop the business. Among her innovations is the ERA Galaxy mobile app, integrated with the company’s website, for more efficient ways of seeking properties.

“Digital strategy is where we have to meld the rapid pace of digital technological innovation with the conservative traditional business to create a solution that optimises our dedication to serve our customers and team members,” Veronica, who is fluent in Mandarin, English and French, says.

One of her recent career highlights is the launch of a property project in the primary market. Within a few hours, sales exceeded Rp 1 trillion. “That example shows how lively the property industry in Indonesia is,” Veronica says. “In the next five years, I hope to lead ERA Galaxy to new heights not only in property, but by expanding to reach new markets and business sectors nationwide and, possibly, internationally.”