Café Owner to Real Estate Leader

Stockdale & Leggo has announced the appointment of Sonja Di Pietro as Director of its Bellarine office, recognising her consistent results, growing market share, and proven leadership across one of Victoria’s most competitive coastal regions.

Over the past several years, Mrs Di Pietro has played a central role in driving the Bellarine team’s growth consistently ranking among the region’s top performers and helping the business achieve record sales results and measurable gains in local market share.

Her leadership has strengthened culture, lifted performance, and contributed directly to Stockdale & Leggo’s continued momentum across the Bellarine Peninsula.

“Sonja’s appointment is proof that the right people, backed by the right systems, can achieve incredible results within our network,” said Stockdale & Leggo CEO Charlotte Pascoe.

“Her consistency, professionalism and ability to lead from the front have positioned her as one of our standout performers and an inspiration to agents who want to build a sustainable, high-performing business under the Stockdale & Leggo model.”

Daniel Lamanna, who will co-direct the Bellarine office alongside Mrs Di Pietro, said the move reflects a long-term vision for shared leadership and growth.

“Sonja and I worked side by side in Drysdale for three years before she moved to manage the Portarlington office in 2020,” he said.

“It was always a plan for Sonja to one day become a director of the business, and I am confident her management skills and business sense will propel this business into its next phase of both growth and performance.

I’m delighted to be able to call Sonja my business partner here in Portarlington, and excited for where she can take this business.”

Mrs Di Pietro’s career with Stockdale & Leggo began seven years ago when she joined Mr Lamanna as his personal assistant. Having previously owned a café and homewares store, she brought a strong foundation in customer service and business ownership qualities that quickly translated to real estate success.

After transitioning into sales, she made an immediate impact in Portarlington, building a loyal client base and achieving standout listing and sales results that saw her capture significant market share within just a few years.

Her success as one of the few high-performing female agents in the region led to her appointment as Branch Manager, where she cultivated a high-trust, high-performance culture across the Bellarine office.

Now stepping into her new role as Director, Mrs Di Pietro will continue to drive the next phase of growth through her strong business acumen, leadership capability and a creative eye for property presentation and marketing.

“I’ve always believed that communication, honesty and follow-through are what separate a good agent from a great one,” she said.

 “Stockdale & Leggo has supported my growth from the very beginning, and this next chapter is about giving back, to my team, my clients and the community that has trusted us for so long.”

Her appointment underscores Stockdale & Leggo’s commitment to identifying and elevating talent from within demonstrating how the right culture, mentorship and platform can translate into both professional and commercial success.

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