Her Story
About Priscilla
I entered property management in 2018 when I was looking for a customer service role as a general occupation. I found my way to a leasing professional position, which is entry level in property management. What I really thought at the time was that this would just be my next job and I would look for another opportunity in the future, but what I learned to do was look at it from a different perspective and see the opportunity for a career, and I stepped into that as well. Within a year, I had been promoted to Assistant Community Manager, and around 2023, I was promoted to Community Manager, all while working with Thrive Communities, my company. I have a really strong history in customer service from my younger years, and I've been able to build on that foundation. Today, my main areas of expertise include financial management and resident relations - there's a little bit of everything rolled into this role. I'm responsible for resident retention and satisfaction, financial growth of my asset, and I'm accountable to the ownership of the property for our goals every year. I've done a really good job of running my budget, completing projects, and building NOI. I gained my experience through hands-on learning and being mentored by some folks along the way, particularly Christina Hewitt, who was the first regional manager I worked for at my current company. She has been really valuable to me as far as guidance in my career trajectory and growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Priscilla
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, being open to learning, listening, and taking what I learned to put into action. Persistence makes you want to be able to continue to grow. I think it's really important to stay open to new knowledge and actually apply what you learn in real situations. That combination of being persistent, staying receptive to learning opportunities, actively listening, and then putting those lessons into practice has been key to my advancement from a leasing professional to Community Manager over the past eight years.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to try to control the controllable - focus on what you can control and make change. In property management, sometimes there's a project that you would like to perform for the community, but there are some unknown factors in that process. You work on the things you can control and mediate, and hopefully are able to bring everything together in the end. This advice has helped me navigate the challenges of my role by keeping me focused on what's within my power to influence rather than getting overwhelmed by factors outside my control.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell someone at entry level that this industry is a really good industry to build a career on. It will bring you into unique situations that will challenge you, and you will have to rise to the occasion. Property management offers real opportunities for growth and advancement - I started as a leasing professional and was promoted to Assistant Community Manager within a year, then to Community Manager by 2023. The industry gives you the chance to develop multiple skills across financial management, resident relations, and operations. It's a field where you can truly build something meaningful if you're willing to learn and grow.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Honestly, it feels like every day is a challenge in property management. As far as opportunities, I think for my own professional growth, I would like to eventually grow into a regional manager role. My more short-term goal is to work at a larger property or do a lease-up, which I haven't had the opportunity to do just yet. The field constantly presents new challenges that require you to adapt and problem-solve, but it also offers clear pathways for advancement if you're willing to take on new responsibilities and expand your experience.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value most important to me in both my work and personal life is to do the right thing. My company, Thrive Communities, actually has several values that we live by and work by, and this one in particular I feel is applicable not just to my work but as a value in my personal life. I'm always trying to do the right thing in every interaction and with every goal. It's about maintaining integrity and doing what's right whether someone's watching or not. This principle guides my decisions as a Community Manager and shapes how I approach relationships and responsibilities in all areas of my life.
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