Humans of Multifamily

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily Shiv Gettu sits down with Marlana Murdock - Vice President of Operations at Western Wealth Communities. Marlee shares the leadership principles that have guided her career—from defining problems before chasing solutions to reimagining how technology and people should work together. The conversation explores why multifamily has historically lagged behind oth...

In this episode, Stephanie Ortiz, Marketing Manager at Legacy Residential Group - shares the remarkable journey that took her from a childhood defined by constant change to becoming the marketing leader overseeing 38 properties and nearly 7,000 apartment homes. Growing up, Stephanie attended nine elementary schools, moved frequently due to financial instability, and learned early how to adapt, bui...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Andrew Batista Rahman - Vice President of Marketing and Training at TRG Management Company - shares the lessons he learned from surviving difficult circumstances, building a career from the ground up, finding purpose through mentorship, and why he's now pursuing an executive doctorate to inspire the next generation. From growing up in poverty in Puerto...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with OJ Loor, Vice President at The Bainbridge Companies -- to discuss growing up in New Jersey, navigating financial struggles as a young father during the 2008 crash, and how accountability, curiosity, and work ethic transformed his career trajectory. Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Lisa Moore shares how she built a 25+ year career starting with zero experience—and why the industry is making a mistake by only hiring experienced talent today. She breaks down:Why human connection will beat AIThe real problem with centralization & hiring trendsHow she turned performance skills into leadershipAnd what most companies get wrong about tr...

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Lisby, Chief AI and Product Officer at Pay Ready —to talk about the mindset behind constant pursuit, building through curiosity, and why success doesn’t always feel the way you expect it to. Jake shares how growing up with financial pressure shaped his drive, how he found his way into multifamily, and what it’s really like to build and operate at a high level...

In this special episode, we sit down with Patrick Ghilani, Chief Executive Officer at MRI Software known for his relentless standards, uncompromising expectations, and decades of experience building and scaling global software companies. Patrick doesn’t lead for comfort. He leads for results. With over 30 years in the industry, he shares what most leaders won’t: the pressure behind the decisions,...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt DeGraw to unpack the real story behind a 21-year corporate career, and the life built alongside it. Matt shares how he went from barely graduating high school to becoming a long-tenured leader, the pivotal moments that forced him to take life seriously, and why he chose learning over money early in his career even taking a $20K pay cut to do it. But this conv...

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Parks to talk about what it really takes to build — and protect — a company over time. Todd shares how he built his property management business from the ground up, why he intentionally turned down growth opportunities, and how learning to step back made him a better leader. We also talk about responsibility, navigating hard seasons in life, and what it means...

Shiv Gettu sits down with Laurie Frias Romain for a powerful conversation on reinvention, ambition, and redefining success across seasons of life. From growing up in France with immigrant parents to moving to the U.S. alone as a teenager, Laurie shares the story of building a career, becoming a mother, and navigating the constant evolution of identity, priorities, and purpose. This episode explore...

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Williams, President of Portico Property Management, for a deeply honest conversation on leadership, resilience, and why multifamily must become a true customer service business. From growing up in a town of less than 500 people in Jerome, Arizona, to leading one of the most people-centric companies in the industry, Darren shares the experiences that shaped...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, we sit down with Steve Boyack,Chief Operating Officer at JVM Realty Corporation and President of JVM Management. Steve’s journey spans hustle, service, design, and leadership — from growing up in Chicago with a single mother, to building his way through college, serving in the Peace Corps, and ultimately shaping some of the most people-centered multifamily...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Kendall Pretzer, CEO of Grace Hill, for a thoughtful conversation on the life experiences that shaped her leadership—from growing up amid financial uncertainty, to navigating motherhood and caregiving while building a career, to creating a business by recognizing talent others overlooked. This episode is a reminder that leadership...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, host Shiv Gettu sits down with Irini Boeder, National VP of Marketing & Communications at Willow Bridge and a member of the Zillow Rentals Advisory Board. Irini shares her journey as a first-generation immigrant — born in Germany, raised in Ohio, and rooted in her Egyptian heritage — and how curiosity, faith, and bold career risks shaped a path she nev...

Tracy Bowers, Managing Partner at Gallery Residential, shares her unfiltered journey from landing her first leasing job on a golf cart to building and scaling one of the fastest-growing management companies in the industry. In this episode, we dive into how continuous learning, Enneagram leadership, empathy, and curiosity shaped her career—and how she built a company from zero clients into a rapid...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily , Beth Schaberg , Vice President of Marketing, Operations & Technology at Willow Bridge Property Company, opens up about the experiences that shaped her leadership. From growing up fast in a divorced household to becoming the go-to problem solver inside one of the industry’s most complex operational environments. Beth shares how early independence, rais...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Andrew Steiker-Epstein, Chief Development Officer and Brokerage President at Charney Companies, as he shares how he went from caddying on golf courses to leading one of New York’s most forward-thinking real estate firms. Andrew opens up about the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial parents, the power of authentic relationship...

In this episode, Shiv Gettu sits down with Monica Gracia, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dayrise Residential, LLC - whose journey from surviving domestic violence as a single mother with just $36 to her name to becoming SVP of Operations is nothing short of extraordinary. Monica opens up about her upbringing in Brownsville, Texas, the cultural and family pressures that shaped her early lif...

In this episode of Humans Of Multifamily Shiv Gettu sits down with Donna Schmidt, Chief Operating Officer at Price Brothers, as she shares her remarkable journey from cleaning apartments in college to leading a 102-year-old property management company. In this episode, Donna discusses the evolution of the multifamily industry, the challenges and opportunities of embracing new technology, and the i...

In this episode, Shiv Gettu sits down with Jillian Fikkert Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Buckingham Companies, a dynamic marketing leader whose work spans shopping malls, multifamily housing, and beyond. Jillian dives into her career journey, starting from her solo move at 24 to a multifamily career shaped by innovation and AI. Jillian emphasizes the evolving nature of multifamily tech,...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Dalia Kalgreen, Vice President of Business Development at Unified Residential Management, to uncover the story behind one of the industry’s most dynamic leaders. Dalia opens up about her philosophy of leadership rooted in curiosity, authenticity, and adaptability. She shares how she’s embracing AI in property management, not as a...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Kara Thompson, VP of Operations at Oakwood Management Company, to discuss her remarkable journey from hairdresser to multifamily industry leader. After a divorce left Kara seeking both employment and housing, a chance encounter led her to a career in property management. Kara opens up about her early life being raised by a single...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Ariel Baranauckas, Vice President of Marketing and Recruiting at Carter Haston. Ariel shares how she didn't intend to build a career in property management but ascended from a part-time leasing job to her current executive role, driven by a passion for people rather than titles. She elaborates on juggling career and personal l...

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Jon Cooke, Vice President of Operations at Bell Partners, Inc., to explore his inspiring journey from leasing agent to executive. Jon shares how curiosity, mentorship, and a willingness to ask questions shaped his career. The discussion highlights the importance of vulnerability and gratitude in leadership and delves into the evol...

In this episode, Shiv Gettu sits down with Myles Cunningham, Myles Cunningham Managing Partner & CIO at Audubon, a rising leader in multifamily. Myles shares the challenges of balancing his visionary role in real estate investments with personal life, highlighting his struggle with stress-induced insomnia and his journey to finding a healthier work-life balance through mentorship, mental healt...