Rebecca Cook: Finding Patterns and Solving Problems in Multifamily

Shiv Gettu sits down with Rebecca Cook, Director of Multi-Family Management at Friedman Real Estate, who shares her journey from growing up in unincorporated Washington County, Oregon to becoming a multifamily industry leader with nearly 30 years of experience.Born into a financially challenged household where food stamps and free school lunches were part of everyday life, Rebecca credits her stable housing situation as a fundamental influence on her career path and housing philosophy. While working two full-time jobs after high school graduation, a chance encounter with a persistent customer at Subway convinced her to try leasing apartments - a role she initially resisted but quickly excelled in.Through candid conversations about her strengths in pattern recognition, love of mathematics and music, and evolution as a leader who had to "soften the edges" of her direct communication style, Rebecca reveals how her background shaped her people-first approach to property management and her belief that stability in housing allows people to thrive.Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv on LinkedIn.Timestamps:00:00 Growing Up in Unincorporated Washington County06:00 From Subway Sandwich Maker to Reluctant Leasing Agent10:00 Finding Success in an Industry She Initially Resisted17:00 The Evolution of Multifamily Technology Over 30 Years25:00 Why Home Is More Than Just a Shelter - It's Stability34:00 Learning to Balance Direct Communication with Leadership40:00 The Mentors Who Shaped Her Career Trajectory