Kelly Rennie named finalist in Gold Coast Woman of the Year Awards

Gold Coast entrepreneur, author and property leader Kelly Rennie has been named a finalist in the Gold Coast Woman of the Year Awards, recognising a career shaped by resilience, reinvention and a determination to create greater possibilities for women and families.

Now Head of Development and Property Advisor with Core Group International, Kelly has built two distinctly different chapters across more than 20 years in business - first creating one of Australasia’s leading fitness communities for mums, and now establishing herself as a leading Home & Land specialist in Queensland.

Behind the achievements is a deeply personal motivation.

“My why has always been my girls and creating our future,” Kelly said.

“I haven’t had someone in the background creating financial security for me or building my career. I learnt that if I wanted a certain life for my family, it was up to me to create it.”

Kelly built Busy Mum Fitness while raising her daughters as a single mum. What began from her own experience grew into a community that helped more than 20,000 women, led to her becoming a two-time author and even saw her work reach Catherine, Princess of Wales, who sent her a personal letter of thanks.

For Kelly, however, one of her proudest achievements has been the example her journey has given her daughters.

“I’m proud of the numbers, but I’m probably most proud that my daughters have grown up watching their mum continually evolve, take opportunities and believe there is always another level,” Kelly said.

Each chapter prepared her for the next

After 15 years in business, Kelly channelled her experience in sales, marketing, leadership, relationships and understanding people into an entirely different industry - property.

“I don’t see my career as starting over. Each chapter prepared me for the next,” Kelly said.

“The hard times taught me independence, business taught me the skills, and I’ve learnt to recognise an opportunity when it appears and have the courage to run with it.”

That courage translated quickly. Within two years, Kelly became Head of Development for Core Group Interntional and personally sold 92 Home & Land packages worth approximately $78 million across Queensland.

Yet for Kelly, the numbers are secondary to the people behind them.

“My work has always been about people,” Kelly said.

“Today, that same approach has carried into property, but now I’m helping families create homes and financial futures.”

For many of Kelly’s clients, buying Home & Land represents their first home, first investment or one of the largest financial decisions they will make.

“The moments that still get me are handovers,” Kelly said.

“Standing inside a completed home with a client and remembering that months earlier it was simply a conversation, a block of land and a plan makes the numbers suddenly very real.

“I’m not just selling Home & Land packages. I’m helping families create homes, build wealth and make decisions today that could change what their future looks like.”

Relationships at the heart of the next chapter

That people-first philosophy is central to Kelly’s work with Core Group International.

As buyers navigate changing lending conditions, affordability, government incentives and land supply, Kelly believes the role of a property professional extends well beyond the transaction.

“The skill I trust most is my ability to connect with people and see the bigger picture,” Kelly said.

“I want to understand where my clients want to be long term and help them make a property decision today that supports that future.

“Markets and technology will continue to change, but relationships, trust and genuinely understanding people will always matter.”

Kelly is now focused on helping grow Core Group International into one of Queensland’s most successful Home & Land firms, while continuing to connect families and investors with trusted builders, property opportunities and decisions that support their long-term goals.

An honour grounded in gratitude

For Kelly, being named a finalist in the Gold Coast Woman of the Year Awards is not simply recognition of what she has achieved, but an opportunity to acknowledge the community and women she now stands alongside.

“To be recognised as a finalist alongside such an incredible group of Gold Coast women is something I’m genuinely grateful for,” Kelly said.

“The Gold Coast is home to so many women doing remarkable things in business, community and life. To stand alongside the other finalists and have my own journey recognised in this way is a real honour.”

The recognition also marks a significant milestone in Kelly’s journey with Core Group International, where she is helping drive the continued growth of the company’s Home & Land business.

Core Group International CEO Radel Cabrera said Kelly’s finalist recognition was a milestone the entire business was proud to celebrate.

“Kelly becoming a finalist in the Gold Coast Woman of the Year Awards is an incredible milestone, and one we are extremely proud to celebrate with her,” Radel said.

“What Kelly has achieved in such a short period in property is exceptional, but the numbers only tell part of the story. She genuinely cares about people. She has an ability to understand where a client wants to go, build trust and bring the right people and opportunities together to help them get there.

“Kelly has become an important part of what we are building at Core Group International. Her drive, commercial experience and belief in what’s possible align strongly with where we are heading as a business, and we’re incredibly excited about what this next chapter holds.”

For Kelly, that next chapter is about continuing to grow professionally without losing sight of why she started - her family, freedom, choice and creating a life they can genuinely enjoy.

“I want my girls to grow up seeing that a woman can be a great mum and still be ambitious,” Kelly said.

“She can build a career, create wealth, prioritise her health, have adventures, take risks and continue wanting more from life.”

And ultimately, that is how Kelly now defines success.

“For me, success is building a life you don’t need to escape from - and helping other people do the same.”

Kelly has also been voted in the People's Choice Awards and you can show your support by voting for her. Vote for Kelly in the People's Choice Awards