Tailwind Talks

The wait is over—Tailwind Talks is back and better than ever! After a long hiatus, we’re thrilled to kick off Season 2 with an exciting new set, a fresh lineup of episodes, and even more great conversations.

To launch the season, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Brandon Smith, sits down with Krystal Pierce, Vice President of Investor Relations & General Counsel, for an episode you won’t want to miss.

Krystal’s career has taken some unexpected turns—from a childhood on an Illinois farm to dreams of working for the FBI, to law school, and eventually landing a role at Tailwind. Along the way, she’s navigated high-stakes legal work, built strong investor relationships, and made some bold career moves that shaped her path. How did she end up here? What key moments changed her course? And what lessons has she learned along the way? Tune in to hear her fascinating journey, insights on leadership, and maybe even a few surprising stories. Plus, Brandon and Krystal put their honesty to the test in a fun round of Never Have I Ever!

🎬 New Look, Same Great Conversations

We’ve upgraded our set to a warm, cozy space that makes each episode feel like a real conversation with friends. With your support, we plan to keep improving it—so let us know what you think!

🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere

Whether you’re commuting, taking a break, or winding down, Tailwind Talks is available on all major podcast platforms. Tune in whenever it’s convenient for you!

💡 Help Shape Future Episodes

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.

Tailwind Group is excited to announce the sixth episode of Tailwind Talks! Hosted by Devan Schaly-Brumbaugh, Director of Leasing and Marketing, this episode with Lane Gravely, Chief People Officer, dives into Lane’s leadership philosophy and the unique vision he brings to Tailwind Group.

In this episode, Lane shares personal stories, including some about his family, his active lifestyle, and his early career. He also reflects on his leadership principles, emphasizing servant leadership, team collaboration, and fostering a culture of empowerment and engagement. He talks about memorable site visits, overcoming challenges, and his passion for helping teams succeed. Lane’s philosophy of “work yourself out of a job” has shaped Tailwind’s leadership structure and growth, including mentoring Brandon into his current role as CEO. Additionally, Carli Davis, Social Media Manager, and Dylan Gregory, Outreach Marketing Specialist, join us for a special segment where they recap the last Leasing and Marketing Summit, the fall lease launch, and the rebrand parties at multiple sites.

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.

Tailwind Group’s Corporate Marketing Team is thrilled to release the fifth episode of Tailwind Talks, featuring an insightful conversation with Jon Fahning, our Director of Development and Commercial Real Estate. This episode, hosted by Brandon Smith, Chief Executive Officer, dives into Jon's journey, team, and expertise in managing our commercial real estate portfolio.
 
In this episode, Jon shares his career experiences, starting with a landscape architecture degree at Iowa State University to working in land development, golf course design, and leading large-scale international projects. He and Brandon also discuss Jon's path to Tailwind Group and his eventual move to Minnesota.
 
Jon details his daily responsibilities managing over 700,000 square feet of commercial space and provides insights into his team’s work on planning, tenant acquisition, and key partnerships. He also touches on current challenges in the real estate industry, including COVID-19’s impact on supply chains, inflation effects, and shifting market trends.
 
You’ll also hear a special segment from David Hughes, Director of Information Technology, and Zach Kaufenberg, Senior Property Accountant. Zach shares his career journey, his role in accounting at Tailwind Group, and some fun stories from his first commercial flight!

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.

Tailwind Group is excited to announce the fourth episode of Tailwind Talks and our first on-the-road episode, which was recorded in Dublin, Ohio! Hosted by Devan Schaly-Brumbaugh, Director of Leasing and Marketing, this episode features a special conversation with Colleen Lewter, Director of Corporate Operations.

In this episode, Devan and Colleen explore a range of insightful topics. Colleen shares her background, highlighting the struggles and successes that shaped her journey to Tailwind. The episode dives into how Devan and Colleen met, the challenges and rewards of transitioning from a regional to a director-level position, and provides a closer look at the corporate operations team. Listeners can also enjoy watching Devan and Colleen compete in a fun college basketball knowledge game. Additionally, David Hughes, Director of Information Technology, and Natalie Stubbs, Associate Counsel, make a guest appearance, and you’ll hear more about Natalie’s role within the legal team, what a typical day looks like, and her onboarding process. 

Whether you're an experienced investor, an ambitious professional, or intrigued about the world of real estate, our episodes promise to inform, inspire, and keep you eagerly anticipating what's next for Tailwind Group.

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.

Tailwind Group’s Corporate Marketing Team is elated to share the third episode of our podcast, Tailwind Talks. This episode hosted by Brandon Smith, Vice President of Operations and Development, and features our special guest, Michael Sather, one of the four founding partners of Tailwind.

In this episode, Brandon and Michael cover a range of topics, including Michael's background, the formation and growth of Tailwind Group, as well as his current focus and future plans within the company. Additionally, listeners get a quick segment from Dave Hughes, Director of Information Technology, and Zach Rubosky, Talent Acquisition Specialist, about the hiring process at Tailwind and what potential job seekers can expect when applying to Tailwind Group.

With the positive feedback we have received from the kickoff of the first couple episodes, we're excited to continue leveraging new mediums to engage with our audience. This podcast serves as a vibrant platform for our employees, investors, valued partners, potential hires, and the student housing community at large. We aim to explore the core of Tailwind Group, highlighting the amazing individuals who drive our organization. From insightful interviews to a behind-the-scenes look at our daily operations, this podcast provides an exclusive perspective on everything Tailwind Group.

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.

Tailwind Group is thrilled to announce the release of the second episode of our podcast, Tailwind Talks. Hosted by David Hughes, Director of Information Technology and featuring Bryce Andrews, Investors Relations Associate.

As we continue to innovate and grow, we recognize the importance of embracing new mediums to connect with our audience. This podcast serves as a dynamic platform for our employees, investors, valued partners, potential hires, and the broader student housing community. We delve into the heart of Tailwind Group, showcasing the incredible individuals who shape our organization. From insightful interviews to behind-the-scenes glimpses into our daily operations, this podcast offers an exclusive perspective on all things Tailwind Group. 

In this episode, David and Bryce dive into their personal backgrounds, sharing the stories of how they became friends and how they both found themselves working at Tailwind. They also provide a fascinating look into what a day in the life is like for someone in the investments field. The episode contains a fun trivia game and an update on our monthly Leasing Belt winner and Social Icon winner from Carli Davis and Dylan Gregory from the Corporate Marketing Team.

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.

In this inaugural episode of Tailwind Talks, join hosts Brandon Smith, Vice President of Operations & Development, and Devan Schaly-Brumbaugh, Director of Leasing & Marketing, as they dive into the purpose and creation of the podcast, highlight our recent acquisition in St. Louis, break down our Operations and Budget Summit and talk about some exciting things in the pipeline at Tailwind.

Highlights Include:

• Acquisitions and Expansion: Dive into the strategic acquisitions that propelled Tailwind Group from local success to a nationwide presence. Learn how the team identified opportunities, navigated challenges, and capitalized on emerging markets to build a diverse portfolio.
• Rebranding and Innovation: Explore the process of rebranding and how Tailwind Group has continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of its tenants and communities. From purpose-built student housing to commercial development projects, uncover the innovative approaches that set Tailwind apart.
• Leadership Insights: Gain valuable insights into effective leadership practices as Brandon and Devan share their experiences and lessons learned from leading within the Tailwind family. Discover how a culture of collaboration, integrity, and ambition drives success at every level of the organization.
• Operation and Budget Summit: Get an insider's look into Tailwind Group's operation and budget summit, where strategic planning and fiscal responsibility converge to ensure continued growth and profitability. Learn how meticulous planning and attention to detail are key drivers of success in the competitive real estate market.
• Preview of Roy Hall Jr's Conference: Be the first to hear about the exciting upcoming conference hosted by industry luminary Roy Hall Jr.

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with insights, anecdotes, and a shared vision for the future of Tailwind Group. Whether you're a seasoned investor, aspiring developer, or simply curious about the world of real estate, this episode promises to inform, inspire, and leave you eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for Tailwind Talks.

Questions? Text us!

The marketing team values your input! Have ideas, questions, or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you.