Influential Woman · Multi family living

Dianna Read

Sanford, NC

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree High school Degree Some college coursework in Human Resources Degree Leadership courses and training Cert CAM (Certified Apartment Manager)

Her Story

About Dianna

I've been in the multifamily living industry for 12 years, and my journey here has been driven by a deep love for people and customer service. Before becoming a Property Manager, I worked in the food industry as a bartender and server, where I learned that you can make or break someone's day with just one interaction. I never thought I would become a property manager, but when I started shopping for apartments myself, I saw a real need for leadership and change in the industry. There was inconsistency, discrimination, and customer service lacking, and I wanted to make a difference. I started in 2014, completely new to the industry, and was promoted within my first year. I couldn't get enough of it. What drives me is that these properties are people's homes, and with the high increase in building, multifamily is the new way of housing right now. I believe we need more people who are compassionate and care, while also being able to do their role well. I still lead with compassion and kindness, but I also really care about the asset itself. One of my proudest achievements was handling two sites and doing a multi-site property for over a year, changing it from unstabilized to stabilized occupancy. It used to be a problem property that no one liked, and within a year, that property went a full 180. Because of that success, they wanted me to move to another property this year that needed the same kind of rapport and passion I have for residents, because that's ultimately what made the difference. I just got my CAM certification this year after working toward it for 12 years - it's a very hard certification to get in my industry. My next goal is to pass my CAPS exam in two years and become a regional manager overseeing multiple properties, where I can help with policy and change to bring more inclusion to this industry. I can't get out of this industry because I just love it so much, and I think we need more people like that.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Dianna

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to continuously believing in myself and never giving up, regardless of the support I have above me. The biggest struggle in my industry has been having leadership that actually cares about their employees, so as a property manager, you have to be strong in your role because you may not have leadership that is going to invest in you the way you would want to be invested in. I've learned to constantly remain positive, know my worth, and know that I'm not going to give up regardless of the support I have. You will succeed - you don't need anybody else to do it for you. I also believe my passion for people and leading with compassion and kindness while caring about the asset has been key. I love people and getting to know new people, and I love the customer service aspect where you can make or break someone's day with just one interaction. That passion and the impact I have wherever I go is what drives me.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

If you love people, this is where you need to be. Never stop giving up, and always believe in yourself, because you can make a difference no matter what role you play in this industry.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think the biggest challenge is having leadership that actually cares about their employees. When you are a property manager, you have to be strong in your role because you may not have leadership that is going to invest in you the way you would want to be invested in. I think we have become so robotic in the way we speak, in the way we terminate things, in the way we go through emails, and we lose the personable touch that we need to have when we lead people. We need more compassionate people in leadership roles with passion behind it. We need people who actually care about their role and the job that they have, and care about the people that are working for them - that they're not just a number, they're not just someone that can be replaced. You make a difference whether they succeed or not. There's such a lack of people who really have passion for their jobs. People can go into a leasing office looking for their next home and they're just kind of pushed aside. There's no excitement, there's just such a lack. I really believe that I can train my employees under me, the future of this generation, to stop being so robotic and actually engage. With the high increase of building and multifamily being the new way of housing right now, we need more people that are compassionate and care.

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