Recently, we celebrated not one- but two significant milestones. Muriel Gondipon, Associate, is celebrating 10 years with White Associates. While Konrad Trankels, our Managing Director, is celebrating 20 years since co-founding White Associates. These important milestones are a testament to the dedication, leadership and impact that these two have had on our company.
To celebrate, our team came together for a fun DIY donut lunch, a way to show our appreciation for both Muriel and Konrad. Their support over the years has meant so much, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have two such inspiring leaders guiding us.
Muriel Gondipon
This April, we are proud to celebrate an amazing decade of Associate, Muriel Gondipon at White Associates. This milestone not only reflects her professional dedication but also her lasting impact across the business.
Joining in April 2015, coming from working in Malaysia, Muriel began her White Associates journey as a Senior Quantity Surveyor. Despite the overwhelming feeling she experienced of starting a new job in a new country, Muriel brought her wealth of experience with a collaborative approach that over the years has made her a trusted and valued colleague and leader. She has contributed to some of our most complex and high-profile projects including High rise residential projects, complex remedial projects and numerous complex Fit Outs. Additionally, she championed quality assurance across the business.
Her leadership shone through as she undertook the role of mentoring our junior staff, creating a calm and nurturing environment for newcomers starting their career and giving them the opportunity to learn from someone with extensive experience. She recognised the importance of guiding young quantity surveyors and cadets, taking on a mentoring role by involving them in projects for hands-on learning.
Her commitment to excellence is evident in her personal development plans, consistently setting ambitious goals. From developing cost data frameworks and contributing to some of the QS manual, to mentoring cadets and junior quantity surveyors.
Outside of her positive influence on project delivery, she plays a key role in shaping our internal culture, participating in senior management meetings, supporting wellbeing initiatives and being a part of the social framework of the team. The warmth and humour Muriel brings to the workplace is just as appreciated as her technical expertise. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team and look forward to seeing her many more milestones ahead.
Konrad Trankels
Our second significant milestone is our Managing Director, Konrad Trankels. This milestone not only marks 20 years of Konrad, but also 20 years since co-founding White Associates, a firm that he established with Graham White in 2005.
What began as a bold vision to bring a fresh, robust approach to construction cost consulting has grown into a respected, multi-office consultancy with a national footprint. A huge achievement and testament to the leadership and knowledge Konrad has demonstrated throughout the last 20 years and the team that has helped him build the company along the way.
Over the past two decades, White Associates has completed hundreds of successful projects, grown a team of talented professionals, and developed a leadership structure that remains hands-on and deeply engaged. At the helm of this structure are Directors Darin Bayer, Justin Maritz, and Brett Zeiler, who lead the firm with vision and integrity. They are joined by Associate Director Jesse Conradie, who contributes to the leadership team and supports the continued growth and delivery of the firm’s services.
In a move that reflects both foresight and inclusivity, White Associates has also expanded its shareholder base beyond the boardroom. In addition to the directors, the shareholder group includes respected Associates Justin Bearne, Elliot Smith, and Richard Moore-Savage. This progressive step, welcoming associates as minority shareholders, demonstrates the company’s commitment to succession planning and empowering its people. Konrad notes that this initiative is not a one-off, but part of a broader strategy to provide meaningful pathways for growth and ownership within the firm.
As we celebrate this 20-year milestone, we honour Konrad’s enduring leadership, his collaborative and approachable spirit, and the legacy that he continues to build – alongside a leadership team that exemplifies the values and vision of White Associates.