Multifamily Excellence

How do you lead 51,000+ units and still make time to ask questions, stay curious, and mentor the next generation of leaders?In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Renee Zahn, Managing Director at Greystar, joins host Tony Sousa to explore how intentional leadership, open communication, and local focus help drive lasting results.Here’s what you’ll learn: ➡️ Why asking questions can be more powerful than giving answers ➡️ How to stay grounded even as your portfolio grows ➡️ What it means to lead people — not just propertiesIf you’re looking for leadership that’s both human and high-performing, you won’t want to miss this episode.

How do values shape long-term success in real estate?In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Dave Marcinkowski, founding partner of Madera Residential, joins host Jonathan Treble to discuss:How mentorship and relationships shaped his career path.The risks of transitioning to property ownership, including lessons from the 2008 crisis.Why constant and never-ending improvement (CANEI) is the core of his business strategy.Dave shares his insider knowledge on real estate, leadership and building a strong company culture.Listen now to gain valuable insights from his journey.

What’s next for multifamily technology?In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Eric Broughton, CEO of OK2Charge, joins host Jonathan Treble to discuss:The future of EV charging in multifamilyLessons from RealPage & Expedia acquisitionsHow to build and scale successful proptech companiesEric’s career has spanned multiple industries, from steel mills to Silicon Valley. In this conversation, he shares insider insights on what’s coming next in real estate technology.Hit play now to stay ahead of the trends.

What does it take to lead 18,000 associates across 9,000 communities?For David Diestel, CEO of FirstService Residential, the answer lies in trust, culture and a people-first approach to leadership.In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, David joins host Jonathan Treble to share his incredible career journey—from chemical engineering to uniting 24 brands under the FirstService name. David reveals how daily rituals like “First Call” huddles and programs like “Be the Difference” have shaped a vibrant, people-first culture across thousands of communities.Here’s what you’ll discover:➡️ How trust and teamwork drive sustainable growth.➡️ The power of consistent daily habits to unify teams.➡️ Why investing in personal growth creates healthier, high-performing leaders.Whether you’re leading a small team or a sprawling organization, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with clarity, purpose and impact.Hit play now to learn from one of the most inspiring leaders in property management.

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Jonathan Treble sits down with Cara Athmann, COO of Cardinal Group Companies, to reveal how AI and culture come together to redefine success in multifamily. Renowned for her expertise in tech-powered transformation, Cara takes us inside Cardinal’s groundbreaking approach. Here, AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a catalyst that frees teams from administrative overload and empowers them to create authentic, human-centered resident experiences.Cara’s philosophy is simple, yet profound: invest in your people first, and in turn, they’ll invest in your residents. At Cardinal, AI-driven solutions make that possible, transforming operational headaches into seamless, meaningful interactions. Cara’s insights offer actionable takeaways on how technology and culture can align to drive real impact in multifamily.Ready to rethink leadership in multifamily? Tune in to explore this unique intersection of people-first leadership and AI innovation. 

Curiosity + Persistence = PowerOn this episode of Multifamily Excellence, host Jonathan Treble takes you inside the playbook with Moshe Crane, VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures, as they explore Moshe’s journey from cold-calling in commercial real estate to shaking up the multifamily industry.Moshe’s strategy? Never stop questioning. Whether it’s building influence through his podcast or staying ahead with AI and tech-driven solutions, Moshe’s blueprint is simple: challenge everything.You’ll get insights on how to use curiosity as a growth tool, how to hack networking to accelerate your career and what the future of multifamily looks like with tech reshaping the game.If you’re ready to level up and think bigger, this episode is for you. Hit play and learn from one of the sharpest minds in the business.

How to Bet on Yourself and Win: Natalie Cariola’s Blueprint for Scaling Proptech and Leading with ConfidenceIn this episode of Multifamily Excellence, host Jonathan Treble sits down with Natalie Cariola, CRO at SmartRent, to reveal the bold decisions and strategic risks that propelled her from a leasing agent to a powerhouse in proptech. Discover how Natalie helped scale Zumper into an industry leader, all while embracing autonomy, building high-performing teams and navigating the rapid changes of a tech-driven world.Natalie’s approach to leadership is about more than just vision—it’s about betting on yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone and constantly evolving to stay ahead. Whether you’re in the multifamily industry, a leader in proptech, or simply looking to push your own career forward, this episode offers actionable insights you won’t want to miss.Natalie Cariola’s career is a masterclass in leadership, risk-taking and scaling innovation in proptech.Ready to learn how to lead with confidence, scale with purpose and seize the future of proptech? Listen now!

What does it really take to lead in the multifamily industry today? In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Terry Slattery, CEO of IDScan.net, reveals how automation and biometrics are redefining property management.From boosting security to delivering standout resident experiences, Terry dives into the tech trends shaping the industry and what’s coming next.Terry also breaks down the leadership principles that have driven his success—building high-performing teams, navigating challenges, and fostering a resilient, forward-thinking organization.Whether you’re a property manager, executive or innovation enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with vision.Ready to challenge the status quo and future-proof your business? Tune in now.

This episode of Multifamily Excellence is a masterclass in career evolution and strategic networking. Mike Wolber, Chief Sales Officer at Apartment List, shares the playbook behind his rise in the multifamily industry. His journey from the fast-paced world of Nike to leading high-performing teams in multifamily is a story of relentless ambition, prudent moves and calculated risks.Mike doesn’t just talk about success; he embodies it. In this conversation, he reveals how the grit and obsessive preparation honed at one of the world’s most iconic brands became the foundation for his leadership style. From impactful roles at G5 and Rent Dynamics, to his current position at Apartment List, Mike has consistently driven growth and innovation, blending strategic vision with hands-on execution.His isn’t just another corporate success story. Mike’s approach to leadership offers a blueprint for those who aspire to not just lead but transform. He dives deep into the importance of building a personal brand, making bold career transitions and the drive behind launching his own podcast, Modern Multifamily.For those serious about elevating their careers—whether just starting out or already steering the ship—this episode is packed with actionable advice on building powerful networks, preparing like a pro, and leading with a vision that drives both personal and professional success.Don’t just listen—take notes. Mike’s journey serves as a roadmap for anyone looking to make their mark in the multifamily space.

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, we explore the inspiring journey of Tony Sousa, Vice President of Marketing Relations at RPM Living - a journey that challenges traditional career paths and underscores the power of effective leadership.Join us as Tony shares how his unconventional career path shaped a leadership style that’s anything but ordinary. His ability to blend resilience, adaptability and emotional intelligence isn’t just a by-product of his experiences; it’s a deliberate strategy that has set him apart in an industry driven by routine. Tony’s knack for seeing challenges from multiple angles allows him to connect deeply with his team, sparking creativity and innovation in ways conventional leaders often miss.Throughout the episode, Tony shares how understanding the challenges faced by employees at every level has empowered him to lead with empathy and clarity. His firsthand knowledge of a wide variety of roles allows him to create environments where creativity and problem-solving thrive.But Tony’s story isn’t just about his past; it’s about the lessons we can all apply to our futures. He offers deep insights into strategic career planning, the courage to seize new opportunities, and the importance of viewing adversity not as a setback, but as a stepping stone toward growth. Whether you’re leading a team or charting your own career path, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you approach leadership, opportunity and success.Listen in and discover how to lead effectively, inspire those around you, and turn every experience—positive or negative—into a catalyst for growth.

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Steve Boyack, COO of JVM Realty and President of JVM Management, chronicles his fascinating journey from the Peace Corps to real estate, highlighting the pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style and business acumen.Steve candidly delves into how his early entrepreneurial endeavors and perilous work in conflict zones ultimately taught him to value community insight, adapt quickly to new environments, and foster strong, capable teams. In discussing his role at JVM, Steve offers valuable insight into how the company leverages tech to streamline operations and enhance asset value, emphasizing that a tech-forward approach is essential for growth and efficiency in today's market.Steve also offers thoughtful advice for aspiring leaders, sharing examples of how he advanced his career by consistently looking for ways to make others' jobs easier, showing a willingness to learn and enthusiastically taking on new challenges. 

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Jennifer Staciokas, President of Western Wealth Communities and VP, People and Technology at Western Wealth Capital, recounts how a temporary leasing agent position in college unexpectedly kick-started her illustrious 25-year career in real estate.Jennifer offers fascinating perspective on how she successfully built Western Wealth Capital’s property management company from scratch in less than 30 days - and in the midst of a global pandemic. From leveraging carefully built supplier relationships to the strategic use of technology, Jennifer shares the tactics that ultimately propelled the company from zero to 17,000 units in less than two years. Passionate about fostering a people-first culture, Jennifer also shares important insight on successfully striking a balance between the conveniences offered by emerging technology and the irreplaceable value of the human touch. 

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Samuel Mtunga, principal at XFD Real Estate Partners, chronicles his riveting journey from temp laborer in student housing to co-founder of one of its most formidable management companies. Samuel candidly reflects on the challenges he faced in XFD’s early years. He describes how limited resources and evolving needs required him to deftly juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, which proved to be crucial for the company's initial growth and success.He also discusses the critical lessons he learned while scaling the company. He stresses the paramount importance of developing effective processes, emphasizing the need for teams to understand their goals, the reasons behind these goals and the methods to achieve them. Samuel also delves into how his leadership style has evolved throughout the years. He reflects on the experiences that prompted him to transition from being a purely results-driven leader to one who fervently believes that personal connections can greatly enhance team performance.

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Matt Fiascone, president of The Habitat Company, offers intriguing insight into his illustrious career.  Starting with his serendipitous foray into the real estate industry, Matt recounts his journey through the evolution of asset management - from manual, paper-based processes to today’s sophisticated digital tools - emphasizing the necessity of adapting, learning and staying current with technological advancements. Matt also discusses the transformative impact mentorship has had on his career, both as a mentee and a mentor. He calls on other real estate leaders to guide the next generation and foster a culture of continuous learning and growth.Throughout the episode, Matt lends insight into his personal leadership philosophies. He offers a powerful and fascinating narrative on crisis leadership, explaining how shared sacrifice, solidarity and foresight successfully kept his team together and prevented layoffs during the pandemic. Additionally, he presents a wealth of effective strategies for preserving culture in vertically integrated companies with highly dispersed teams. 

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Girish Gehani, COO of Trilogy Real Estate Group, shares the game-changing strategies that have propelled Trilogy to success.Girish emphasizes the fundamental importance of cultivating strong relationships — both with clients and third-party organizations — and discusses how the relationships he has built over the course of his career have ultimately shaped Trilogy's innovative approach to property management.Girish also shares actionable insights on preserving company culture and DNA amid rapid expansion. From developing a robust mentorship program designed to turn employees into brand ambassadors to his commitment to one-on-one connection, Girish explains how he has continuously leveled up his leadership skills and helped Trilogy remain true to its original core values.

In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, you'll hear from David Danish, Senior Vice President of Revenue Management, Marketing, and Strategic Initiatives at LivCor, a Blackstone Company.David shares insights on his multifamily career progression, from his first role at Nessel Development to the years he spent working his way up to an influential leadership role at RealPage. He emphasizes the importance of creating a people-focused culture and shares his unique approach to leadership that relies heavily on empowerment, inclusivity and authenticity.He discusses the challenges and opportunities in transitioning roles, the role of data-driven decisions in business strategies and the significance of authenticity in leadership. David also touches on diversity in leadership and the demands of a fast-paced work environment, highlighting the importance of aligning with a company's core values for career fulfillment.