‘It was a real harmonious connection’: How Crystal Anson combines passion with purpose to make a sustainable impact
A clear vision inspires and motivates us to strive for change. As a leader in retail construction, our vision is about as big as it gets: to help create a better planet for all. And Crystal Anson is driving a plan of action to get us there. Find out how our passionate Sustainability Advisor is strategising for a more sustainable future – for Mainbrace, our clients and industry, and her purposeful career.
A better future
Crystal Anson has long been interested in how the built environment influences people’s lives and the natural world.
As an architect, she endeavoured to educate clients and colleagues on environmental considerations throughout design. She also became a certified Passive House Designer to bolster her technical knowledge in designing energy-efficient building envelopes.
“I’ve always had a passion for sustainability,” Crystal says. “So much of our lives are lived in and around the built environment. It can shape the way people live, the way they act and what they do. We need to be cognisant of features, including orientation, layout and materiality. For instance, if you want people to use air-conditioning less, the building envelope needs to provide comfort through cold and warm weather. I do believe that sustainable construction is important to generating a better future.”
Over eight years, Crystal spent more and more time outside her work hours trying to improve sustainability practices within her firm and beyond. Realising that making a real difference required a full-time focus, she discovered Mainbrace.
“I wasn’t actually looking for a role at the time, but when I heard about Mainbrace and what they wanted to do, it sounded exactly like what I’d been trying to do. It was a real harmonious connection.”
In 2022, Crystal joined the Mainbrace team as our first Sustainability Advisor. Stepping away from her career as an architect wasn’t easy, yet Crystal quickly realised she’d made the right decision.
“I discovered that Mainbrace had already set up sustainability targets for the company, which was a really good sign. Often, that’s the most difficult thing to do because you can’t make targets too hard or too easy – they have to be meaningful.”
It’s one thing to set a target; it’s quite another to reach it. That’s where Crystal’s insight, integrity and action-oriented focus have been integral to Mainbrace’s ability to make real, lasting change.
“From the start, I was brought into discussions about strategies and the direction of the company. I was encouraged to have an opinion. And I think having leaders who were also passionate about sustainability has helped us move forward much more quickly. Being at the forefront of what’s happening in legislation, how we can better prepare ourselves for the future, and just moving forward in the sustainability space is incredibly exciting.”
Projects that matter
As a Sustainability Advisor, Crystal collaborates with teams across Mainbrace to drive industry-leading initiatives that contribute to a circular economy and reduce environmental impact.
“We have waste reduction and diversion targets, so we’re working with our teams to try to recycle as much construction waste as possible. Our Skip the Bin initiative is a way of preventing materials that are in good condition from going to landfill. We’re also measuring and reducing our carbon footprint in our offices and striving to do the same for our sites. But we go beyond looking at ourselves to our role in the greater ecosystem. That means assisting our clients with their sustainability targets.”
Each client brings an opportunity for Crystal and Mainbrace to discover and share the latest in sustainable construction practice.
Crystal also works with our 10 Green Star teams to ensure Mainbrace meets sustainability benchmarks set by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Of course, change takes time, and sustainability is an ever-evolving space. At Mainbrace, Crystal is supported to stay at the forefront of what’s happening through a variety of learning and development opportunities.
“Previously, I’d done a lot of self-study in sustainability, but didn’t have a lot of formalised training. Green Star was always a bit out of my reach. But when I came to Mainbrace, it was so easy to get support to do that training. I’ve now done the Green Star foundational and advanced courses, which are run by the GBCA, as well as masterclasses in topics ranging from waste management to embodied carbon. I’ve also had many opportunities to attend conferences and events. It’s been great to meet and talk with other professionals in my space.”
Challenged to grow
At Mainbrace, Crystal values having the trust and autonomy she needs to build and own her purposeful career. She’s also part of a welcoming team that has encouraged her to broaden her horizons in some unexpected ways.
“Everyone’s super friendly; everyone’s extremely active. Mainbrace participates in a number of fun runs throughout the year – those are things I typically wouldn’t have signed up for in the past. So, actually, working here has made me try new things. And after two team fun runs, I’d have to say I probably won’t do it again! I didn’t think I was ever going to run 7km – but I’ve done it now and it feels like a good achievement.”
Crystal feels energised about the future. She’s confident Mainbrace will continue to lead the way in sustainable construction, and she looks forward to the opportunities this will bring to our clients, industry, communities, and her career.
“I hope Mainbrace will become the company clients go to when they need this specialised help with sustainability. For me, I hope to one day be the ESG (environmental, social and governance) lead, so I can look at social issues as well as environmental issues and develop a bigger team. There is a lot of flexibility and opportunity at Mainbrace. People are very willing to work with you to see how your passions can be integrated into your role.”
At Mainbrace, we value you, not just what you build.