our people
Meet the panthera team
INTRODUCING OUR FOUNDERS
mario evangelo -
CEO & Principal
Mario Evangelo is Principal of Panthera Group and a visionary property development industry leader with a successful career spanning over three decades, delivering over $3 billion in mixed-use property projects throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Mario commenced his career in 1984 in Sydney with RLB Quantity Surveyors and later joined Multiplex in 1996.
Mario founded his construction group in 2000, which became a leading property development company with over 200 employees and successfully delivered over 100 projects. In 2016, Mario co-founded Panthera Group with his best friend and business partner, Chakyl Camal.
During his remarkable career, Mario has led and delivered landmark property projects including Fairfax commercial offices in Christchurch New Zealand; Woolworth's redevelopment at Double Bay; Primus Hotel Sydney; Grace Hotel; and Sydney's best waterfront restaurant precinct King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour to coincide with the Sydney Olympic Games.
Mario graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Quantity Surveying from the University of Technology in Sydney and is an honorary graduate of the Owner President Management Program from Harvard Business School (HBS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Mario has a relentless passion for excellence in delivering bespoke and innovative mixed-use asset projects, serving the community through philanthropy and inspiring greatness by mentoring future generation property industry leaders.
meet the team
Panthera’s company culture provides the opportunity for everyone to collaborate and thrive.
“As leaders we remain humble, lead firmly and with compassion and conduct ourselves in a way that encourages everyone around us to do the same. This is what company culture is about.”
MARIO EVANGELO — PRINCIPAL
ROBERTO ATRASH
Asset Manager
More info coming soon
Strongly influenced by his rural upbringing, he has a “roll your sleeves up” mentality and brings an unparalleled energy and positive attitude to the team in addition to extensive experience in Property, Hospitality and Technology. This combination gives him a unique perspective on asset management.
In his spare time Ben enjoys ice skating, esports, and musical theatre.
In his spare time Ben enjoys ice skating, esports, and musical theatre.
JOHN MATHEW
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Built upon foundational experience in property development, facilities management and commercial valuation, John is now Panthera’s expert in property finance.
He also has a strong capability in managing properties, analysing market trends and providing financial advice.
Today, John manages all financial aspects of the company’s properties, including budgeting, forecasting and reporting and provides strategic insights and financial guidance to ensure the stability and growth of Panthera’s assets.
Today, John manages all financial aspects of the company’s properties, including budgeting, forecasting and reporting and provides strategic insights and financial guidance to ensure the stability and growth of Panthera’s assets.
TIM MCLACHLAN
general manager development
With more than 15 years’ experience in design and construction, Tim has a tenacious ability to achieve successful project outcomes in the most challenging of circumstances.
He is
personable and diligent and an expert at stakeholder management across the retail and commercial sectors.
He holds an undergraduate Engineering Degree, Post Graduate Masters of Business Administration and has successfully delivered high value developments such as Harbord Diggers and Woolworths Double Bay.
Azra Kujovic
General Manager Public Relations & Executive AssistanT to Mario Evangelo
Azra is an astute and visionary management executive with a passion for excellent customer service.
She has expertise in luxury brands, senior management retail operations, executive leadership, public relations, bespoke events, marketing and branding.
Prior to joining Panthera, Azra enjoyed a retail management career spanning over 23 years with the last 8 years overseeing and managing iconic luxury retail operations in Australia and New Zealand. Azra has a Business Management & Marketing Degree from Griffith University and is Vice-President of Gold Coast Women In Industry.
Prior to joining Panthera, Azra enjoyed a retail management career spanning over 23 years with the last 8 years overseeing and managing iconic luxury retail operations in Australia and New Zealand. Azra has a Business Management & Marketing Degree from Griffith University and is Vice-President of Gold Coast Women In Industry.
LAURA FENTON
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Laura is an invaluable member of the Panthera team who provides essential support to the CEO and contributes greatly to the success of the company.
She is known for her creativity and experience in copywriting and social media as well as her ability to form strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
She is a versatile property professional with over 12 years of experience in the industry across Australia and New Zealand and for 7 years prior to joining Panthera, has provided executive level administrative support to some of the largest retail property businesses in Australia.
She is a versatile property professional with over 12 years of experience in the industry across Australia and New Zealand and for 7 years prior to joining Panthera, has provided executive level administrative support to some of the largest retail property businesses in Australia.
PETE SMIT
Digital SOLUTIONS ADVISOR
Pete is a highly experienced technology entrepreneur with over 10 years in the startup ecosystem. He is the Founder & CEO of Style Atlas, a leading fashion tech startup based in Sydney, Australia.
Pete has a wealth of experience in the retail industry working for over a decade with iconic brand Harley-Davidson in marketing and senior management roles in both the UK and Australia; finally managing Australasia’s largest Harley-Davidson importer/distributor.
Also a designer, he left the motorcycling world to found creative consultancy, VisionSmiths; working on projects across the fields of brand identity, environment design and increasingly over its lifespan, web design and development. VisionSmiths projects included, management of the design, construction and launch of the groundbreaking Fraser Motorcycles Flagship Sydney store which won the 2009 Belle magazine/Georg Jensen Design Award for ‘Best Commercial Interior’ and the project management and design development of Neild Avenue Restaurant for the Icebergs Group, which won “Hottest Design” in The Australian 2012 Hot 50 Restaurants Awards
Also a designer, he left the motorcycling world to found creative consultancy, VisionSmiths; working on projects across the fields of brand identity, environment design and increasingly over its lifespan, web design and development. VisionSmiths projects included, management of the design, construction and launch of the groundbreaking Fraser Motorcycles Flagship Sydney store which won the 2009 Belle magazine/Georg Jensen Design Award for ‘Best Commercial Interior’ and the project management and design development of Neild Avenue Restaurant for the Icebergs Group, which won “Hottest Design” in The Australian 2012 Hot 50 Restaurants Awards
