Humans of Multifamily

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Josh Draughn, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Customer Experience & Centralized Operations at Hillpointe, to explore the experiences, mentors, and career decisions that shaped his journey in multifamily.From entering the industry during the 2008 financial crisis to rethinking workforce housing, operational efficiency, and the role of AI in leasing, Josh shares why meaningful career growth comes from solving bigger problems and challenging the way things have always been done.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Shiv Gettu sits down with Sarah Greenough, President & CMO at Princeton Properties, for a conversation about building a career without having it all figured out.Sarah takes us through the unexpected path that led her from a month living in a tent to more than 31 years in multifamily. She shares how her upbringing shaped the way she approaches work, why curiosity has been one of her biggest career advantages, and how saying “yes” to opportunities outside her lane helped her grow across leasing, operations, sales, marketing, and leadership.She also opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life, the support she received from her company, and how that experience changed the way she leads.We talk about career growth, taking your own seat at the table, work-life harmony, hiring for curiosity and ingenuity, mentorship, and knowing when to go after the next opportunity.And after 31 years in the industry, Sarah still gets excited when someone asks her a question she’s never heard before.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Kevin Wilson - Senior Vice President of Marketing & Strategy at Southern Land Company, Kevin shares the experiences and lessons that have shaped his career, from his early days in marketing to working across hospitality, tax services, housing, and eventually multifamily real estate.

The conversation goes beyond career progression. Kevin talks about the influence of his family, the competitive mindset he developed growing up, learning to lead through encouragement, knowing when to persevere and when to make a change, and why some of the best career advice can stay with you for decades.

He also opens up about learning to step away from work, make time for his family, and redefine what success looks like at this stage of his life.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Napoleon Rivera, Vice President of Property Management at Rael Corp, to talk about his unconventional journey into multifamily, the mentors who shaped his career, and the experiences that helped him become a leader in the industry. Napoleon shares what it was like moving from Guatemala City to rural Virginia at 15, navigating a new culture and language, discovering the importance of mentorship, and learning to ask for opportunities. He also explains how an unexpected student housing job became the beginning of his multifamily career and why taking on the challenges that others don't want can accelerate professional growth.Napoleon and Shiv also discuss intentional career growth, servant leadership, supporting onsite teams, innovation in multifamily, changing expectations from Gen Z renters, and the future of resident experience and new development.
**Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.**

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Nikki Crosby, Vice President of Marketing at Denton Floyd Real Estate Group. Nikki shares how an unexpected part-time leasing job at 19 turned into a lifelong career, why empathy remains the most valuable leasing skill, how AI is reshaping onsite teams, and what leaders must do to prepare their organizations for the future.

Whether you're in operations, marketing, leasing, or leadership, this conversation offers practical insights on career growth, technology, and building teams that put people first.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with Lauren DeJoe Turner, Marketing Manager at the Bainbridge Companies. Lauren shares why branding is much more than logos and color palettes. She explains how every interaction—from a leasing tour to a maintenance request—shapes the resident experience, why "brand breaks" hurt occupancy and renewals, and how intentional customer experiences create lasting loyalty.

The conversation also explores Lauren's career journey, lessons learned from competitive golf, leadership, personal growth, and how AI is transforming apartment search and multifamily marketing.

Whether you're in multifamily, marketing, leadership, or simply interested in building memorable customer experiences, this episode is packed with practical insights.

f you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone passionate about the future of multifamily.Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction & Meeting Through the Multifamily Industry
02:00 What Is a "Brand Break"?
04:10 The Hidden Cost of Inconsistent Branding
05:20 How Brand Immersion Improves Leasing Performance
07:00 Creating Memorable Resident Experiences
09:10 Can Brand Guidelines Hurt Authenticity?
11:00 Why People Buy Feelings, Not Products
16:30 Lauren's Journey into Multifamily Marketing
18:20 Luxury Brands & Lessons from Retail
21:00 Growing Up Playing Competitive Golf
30:00 Hunger, Ambition & Learning to Be Present
42:00 Why Lauren Wants More Students to Discover Multifamily
44:30 How AI Is Changing Apartment Marketing & Search
48:00 Building Community Through Resident Events
52:00 Advice for Young Professionals Entering the Industry

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily Shiv Gettu sits down with Marlana Murdock - Vice President of Operations at Western Wealth Communities. Marlee shares the leadership principles that have guided her career—from defining problems before chasing solutions to reimagining how technology and people should work together.

The conversation explores why multifamily has historically lagged behind other industries, how AI is reshaping the renter journey, and why customer experience—not automation alone—will define the industry's future.Whether you're an operator, owner, supplier, or technology leader, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where multifamily is headed.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Stephanie Ortiz, Marketing Manager at Legacy Residential Group - shares the remarkable journey that took her from a childhood defined by constant change to becoming the marketing leader overseeing 38 properties and nearly 7,000 apartment homes.

Growing up, Stephanie attended nine elementary schools, moved frequently due to financial instability, and learned early how to adapt, build relationships, and start over. At just 11 years old, she found herself taking on adult responsibilities after her parents' divorce, experiences that would shape the resilience and perspective she carries today.

Stephanie opens up about dropping out of college after only two days, choosing real-world experience over a traditional path, and building a successful 15-year career in multifamily housing without a degree. She reflects on the lessons she learned from her parents, the challenges of raising two very different children, and the importance of finding opportunity in unexpected places.

From a life-changing road trip through all 48 continental states to a bold answer during a job interview that altered the course of her career, Stephanie's story is a powerful reminder that success isn't always built through stability—sometimes it's built through learning how to thrive in uncertainty.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Andrew Batista Rahman - Vice President of Marketing and Training at TRG Management Company - shares the lessons he learned from surviving difficult circumstances, building a career from the ground up, finding purpose through mentorship, and why he's now pursuing an executive doctorate to inspire the next generation.

From growing up in poverty in Puerto Rico to becoming a multifamily executive, Andrew Batista Rahman's story is a masterclass in resilience, mentorship, and perseverance.

Raised by a single mother, Andrew faced financial hardship, bullying, the loss of his family home, and personal tragedy at a young age. Everything changed when a scholarship program connected him with a mentor who opened his eyes to a future he never thought possible.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Humans of Multifamily, Shiv Gettu sits down with OJ Loor, Vice President at The Bainbridge Companies -- to discuss growing up in New Jersey, navigating financial struggles as a young father during the 2008 crash, and how accountability, curiosity, and work ethic transformed his career trajectory.

Humans of Multifamily is presented by Zuma, the AI assistant for your full-resident lifecycle. Visit getzuma.com and follow Shiv Gettu on LinkedIn.