Her Story
About Kristie
Kristie Arnst is the Chief Administrative Officer of Buckingham Companies, a position she assumed four months ago after more than 20 years in the real estate investment industry. She began her career in sales and moved into operations through opportunities offered by early mentors. Over the years she has held leadership roles including Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Property Management at Buckingham, President of RESSCO and of Pepper Pike Capital Partners, and Director of Multifamily Management at The Hayman Company.
In her current role, Arnst oversees human resources, IT, business solutions, innovation, asset management, and property management, and she sits on the executive leadership team and investment committee. Her focus is helping the company reach its growth goals while ensuring its people, systems, and operations can support that growth. She holds a B.S. in Social Science from Central Michigan University and a Real Estate Investing & Analysis Certificate from Wharton Online and Wall Street Prep.
Arnst is equally committed to developing the next generation of industry professionals. She has served on the National Apartment Association board, where she was Regional Vice President for Region III and chaired the NAA G.I.V.E.S. committee. She now serves on the Indiana Apartment Association board and the Ball State University property management advisory board. She counts the promotions of the people she has coached among her proudest achievements. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, with recent trips to Japan and Prague.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to great mentors and a willingness to outwork anyone. I will not always be the smartest person in the room, and I try not to be. I seek out people who are smarter than I am so I can learn from them. I was fortunate to have terrific leaders who took me under their wing and gave me the chance to learn the operations side of the business. Curiosity and a constant search for ways to learn have kept me growing throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have had a mentor supporting my professional growth for about five years, and I have intentionally surrounded myself with knowledgeable people throughout my career. The lesson I have taken from them is to learn from those who have expertise I do not yet have. That philosophy shaped my own development and guides how I mentor others today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Ask why, and as you grow, teach why. If you don't understand why things happen, you will only repeat information without understanding the core of the business. Be curious, ask lots of questions, and be willing to step outside your job description. Early in my career, I chose to learn how the broader organization worked instead of saying "that's not my job," and that opened an entirely new direction for me. Become a student of the business, not just an expert in one role.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The current market environment is not a friendly one, and finding and retaining strong talent is difficult. The United States also faces a housing shortage. These challenges create opportunity, because the ongoing need for housing means there is meaningful work across investment, asset management, property operations, and organizational strategy. Companies that develop strong teams, understand the fundamentals of their business, and adapt to changing conditions will be well positioned.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value hard work, curiosity, continuous learning, accountability, collaboration, mentorship, and developing others. I believe leaders should never assume there is nothing left to learn. Success for me is not only personal advancement. It is also creating an environment where talented people can learn, grow, and advance themselves.
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