A letter from IREM President Dawn Carpenter, CPM®

As the daylight hours grow longer and we head toward summer, there’s a sense of renewed energy in the air. With warmer temperatures and more time for activities, many may be taking this opportunity to consider the specific property management career path they would like to pursue, whether they are just starting out in their property management journey or are seasoned professionals looking for a change. 

In our feature “Winning over the workforce,” Jasmine Sylvester CPM^®, ACoM^®, and Craig Marquardo explain the vastly different workforce landscape since 2020. In this feature, find their thoughts on the unprecedented changes in workplace practices that have emerged in recent years, as well as their insights on how to tackle these challenges.

In another feature, we hear from Bob Freeman, president of Freeman Webb Company, Zach Johnson of Metropolitan Properties, and Christi Lagasse of SJA Property Management about how to attract young talent to shape the future of property management. They focus on the role of technology, the importance of company reputation, and the challenges of a multi-generational workforce.

In our Property spotlight column, descend into the fascinating world of SubTropolis, Kansas City’s underground business district. Learn about its rich history and how its unique nature lends to some great advantages for property managers.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a major boom in its real estate sector, making it a promising market for IREM’s future expansion in the Middle East. IREM^® representatives Waqar Hasan, CPM^®, Muhammad Jawad UrRehman, CPM^®, and IREM HQ team member Leah Misbin participated in an exploratory trip to Riyadh. In our Global practices column, learn about their exciting discoveries in this rapidly growing and changing economy. 

May is Affordable Housing Month, which raises awareness about access to safe and affordable housing and the obstacles faced by those struggling financially to obtain that access. IREM is marking that occasion by renewing calls for Congress to act. The Government affairs column explores how IREM is working toward progress on the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Street Act, the Yes in My Backyard Act, and revitalizing Opportunity Zones.

Brianna Drisdale, ACoM^®, junior property manager at New Quest in Houston, Texas, spoke with us about how the IREM Foundation shaped her property management career. While Drisdale was originally a residential real estate agent, she found her passion in commercial real estate, and then eventually commercial property management. Drisdale earned a scholarship from the IREM Foundation, which allowed her to earn her IREM ACoM^® (Accredited Commercial Manager) designation, and has been inspired to bring new property managers into the retail sector. Read about her journey in the IREM Foundation column.

Finally, earlier in 2025, Zack Wahlquist, FASAE, CAE, RCE, became the new CEO and Executive Vice President of IREM. Get to know Zack as he shares a little about his career journey and gives some insight into his leadership style after 20 years in the association world. 

I encourage you to take this opportunity to recognize the vast landscape of property management and all the available possibilities. IREM is here for you as you grow in your career path. As we enter the second half of the year and look forward to the future of the diverse field of property management, I would like to reemphasize my theme for the year that we are indeed “Better Together.”