More than a construction company
About us
MiHaven is a social enterprise business and B Corp registered, specialising in property development, construction, student accommodation, community housing and operates an industry-based RTO training school.
As a function of the company, MiHaven Care builds Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). These are purpose-built properties for participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with high support needs.
Co-founded by James and Sarah Mort, the company was established in 2011 and is based in Cairns, Queensland. The company is supported by its Advisory Board, Roger Allen AM and Dr. Geoff Waring, who share a wealth of experience in social impact investment and social entrepreneurism.
Our core business values are to establish a sustainable business aligned to social enterprise delivering quality housing for private use, local and remote indigenous communities, community and social housing and SDA housing.
MiHaven Care provides turnkey project management, bringing their industry experience to the social impact sector and aligning investment with tangible community results. Based on the integrity of past projects, investors have joined forces with MiHaven Care to form a series of Social Impact Investment Property funds to acquire development sites for a variety of social impact investments.
MiHaven’s Mission: Constructing, cultivating, and creating doorways to a socially sustainable future for a widely diverse range of communities in the far North Queensland region. Our core pursuit is to establish a sustainable business aligned to social enterprises aimed at delivering socially impactful outcomes.
B the best.
Being B-Corp Certified is your guarantee we are committed to social good.
Meet the team
Sarah Mort
Sarah has over 30 years’ experience in the property development industry having worked with some of Australasia’s leading development and construction firms including the W Hotel Sydney, Multiplex Constructions and the Kuok Group. A town planner, Sarah's vast experience has allowed her to utilise her many skills and experience in community consultation and project management. Sarah’s experience has also been greatly enhanced by the diverse forms of business she has been involved in, including local government; environmental planning; property development and construction. Sarah is passionate about 'business with purpose' and is focused on delivering exceptional social outcomes along with beautifully built properties.
James Mort
James Mort is a multi-award, winning property developer and builder with over 40 years’ industry experience, having developed some of Australia’s most prestigious homes and commercial buildings. James has been a leader in the residential development industry establishing new benchmarks in design and construction. Over the past 10 years, James has owned and operated MiHaven, a bespoke property development, construction and training company with his business partner and wife Sarah. Since establishing MiHaven, James has designed and constructed over 100 residential projects, many in partnership with not for profit community-based organisations resulting in a deep understanding of the challenges of building in the wet tropics. James has a deep and committed relationship with the local Cairns community, proudly devoting his personal time as the Vice President of the Cairns Cycling Club.
Roger Allen
Roger Allen is a highly-experienced serial entrepreneur and investor in early-stage growth companies in both in Australia and globally. He co-founded Allen & Buckeridge, the first early-stage venture capital fund in Australia, successfully raising over $200m and investing in some 40 companies. Roger retired from that partnership in 2008 to concentrate on his own investments and social ventures. Serving on two Prime Ministers’ Science and Technology Councils and Advisory Boards, Mr Allen was also Deputy Chairman of the Australian Government’s international trade organisation Austrade from 1990 to 1997 and is currently an adjunct professor in the Business School of the University of Technology Sydney.
Lisa Hall
Lisa Hall hails from Canberra but has called Cairns home for over 20 years. As MiHaven Care’s SDA Tenancy Support Coordinator, Lisa brings a wealth of experience having worked in the NDIS space over the last 5 years in a variety of roles including Support Coordination, HR and Operations, and Business Development.
Deanna Di Maria
Deanna (aka Dee) - MiHaven Care’s Property Manager worked as a Property Manager in Victoria for over a decade, and made the decision to relocate to Cairns in 2022. In her new city Deanna took a break from Real Estate joining the NDIS Commission as a Project Manager, helping in the restructuring of departments and policies. Deanna's expertise in both Real Estate and the NDIS has given her a solid grasp of NDIS regulations and tenancy law.
Laurie Armstrong
Laurie Armstrong - MiHaven Care’s General Manager is a born and bred Cairns local, who started working in the disability sector during her time in the Northern Territory. After relocating to Cairns, Laurie commenced work within the NDIS, running a program called, “School Leavers Employment Support’ which involved building capacity for young people to find employment. Before joining MiHaven Care, Laurie worked for a local support coordination company as a complex support coordinator which saw her actively engaged with the disability community, strengthening her knowledge of NDIS and Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Emilce Suso
Emilce Suso, an Argentinian architect with expertise in Building Information Modelling (BIM), focuses on designing structures of various sizes and construction methods. Her passion lies in creating inclusive environments, especially for people with disabilities. Through extensive research and thoughtful design, she ensures that her projects accommodate diverse needs. Emilce's dedication to enhancing living spaces for individuals with disabilities is evident in her innovative solutions and advocacy for more equitable built environments.
Patricio Llordella
Patricio Llordella – is a diversified architect from Argentina with a decade of hands-on experience and a dedicated educator with five years of teaching expertise at both graduate and postgraduate levels in Argentina. His professional journey encompasses a diverse range of projects, from intricate residential houses to expansive masterplans for city areas. Experienced in every stage of the construction process, showcasing his versatility and comprehensive understanding of architectural development.
Patricio holds a Master's degree in Architecture and a Postgraduate qualification in Parametric Structural Design. Currently pursuing a Master's degree in BIM Management, he combines practical experience with a forward-thinking approach.
Chris Chastre
Chris Chastre - MiHaven’s Project Manager has had an extensive career in development and property operations including Body Corporate Management. A former Partner of one of QLDs most reputable Body Corporate Management companies he has managed over 200 Body Corporates covering in excess of 10,000 lots. Chris has consulted at the highest levels of corporate and Government led bodies as well as delivered outcomes internationally. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Major Construction) and a Property Council of Australia Diploma of Property Operations.
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