Mara Day
Mara Day is an experienced property management professional based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She began her career in customer-facing roles during high school, working at Burger King and a local daycare, and later earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification while working at Avera Health. Mara’s early experiences in healthcare and customer service laid the foundation for her skills in communication, problem-solving, and multitasking—qualities she now applies daily in property management.
After earning her Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Southeast Tech in 2022, where she maintained a 3.8 GPA and made the Dean’s List all four semesters, Mara joined Van Buskirk Companies. She started as an administrative assistant in property management and quickly progressed through roles as Property Manager and Leasing Agent before stepping into her current management position. In this role, she oversees rent and invoice processing, tenant relations, lease renewals, property walk-throughs, and ensures work orders are handled efficiently. She holds a Certified Apartment Leasing Professional license and is an active member of both the South Dakota Multi-Housing Association and the National Apartment Association.
Mara’s professional philosophy emphasizes communication, trust, and teamwork, which she considers essential for both effective property management and personal growth. Recognized with a Core Value Award for Teamwork in 2024, she approaches challenges with a focus on practical solutions and de-escalation. Outside of work, Mara is an avid reader, enjoys volleyball as a former team captain, is active in her church community, and cherishes time with her dogs. Mentored by former supervisor Lori Meier, she values learning through experience and believes in embracing opportunities without fear of making mistakes.
• Certified Apartment Leasing Professional
• Certified Medication Aide
• Nursing Assistants, Certified (CNA 2)
• Southeast Tech - AAS
• Core Value Award for Teamwork from Van Buskertz
• South Dakota Multi-Housing Association
• National Apartment Association
• Feeding South Dakota
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my parents. From a young age, they instilled in me a strong sense of financial responsibility. As soon as I started working, they encouraged me to contribute to half of my phone bill, half of my car insurance, my gas, and any personal expenses. This approach taught me to distinguish between wants and needs—like questioning whether I truly needed a $60 pair of jeans or just wanted it. It also gave me an early understanding of budgeting, managing credit, and the importance of paying bills on time. My mother’s experience at Wells Fargo provided additional guidance, giving my brother and me a solid foundation in financial literacy that continues to shape my approach today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is not to take things personally. In this profession, people often come in frustrated or upset, and it’s my responsibility to de-escalate the situation and focus on what I can do to make it better. Staying calm and solution-oriented has been invaluable in building trust and achieving positive outcomes.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to embrace the learning process. Don’t be hard on yourself if you make mistakes—everyone does, even those who have been in the field for decades. Every experience, including missteps, is part of growing and succeeding. Remember, at the end of the day, we’re all human, and each challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the rising cost of apartments, which makes it more competitive to fill vacancies. We often have to carefully match tenants with available units or refer them to other properties if we don’t have a comparable option. Another challenge is ensuring accurate landlord references—we work closely with other companies to confirm that the information we receive is fair and reflects the tenant’s history, not just a quick attempt to move them out.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values I hold most important in both my work and personal life are communication, trust, and teamwork. Clear communication ensures everyone understands what’s happening and prevents unnecessary confusion. Trust allows people to rely on one another, and teamwork emphasizes collaboration—finding solutions together rather than working in isolation. I believe that when these values are prioritized, both personal and professional relationships thrive.