A letter from IREM President Mindy Gronbeck, CPM®, CCIM

As property managers, we’re accustomed to change. The properties we manage change. Technology changes. Resident and tenant expectations change. What makes our profession unique is that through all of it, we remain focused on people.

That theme runs throughout this issue of JPM^®.

Whether we’re discussing the future of the workplace, sustainability, public policy, or workforce development, one thing becomes clear: property management has never been more important. The decisions we make every day help shape where people live, work, learn, and connect with their communities.

Attending the IREM Houston chapter’s Fashion Fundraiser

In Beyond spaces, in a column about the future workplace, researchers remind us that buildings are more than physical spaces. They’re ecosystems shaped by the interaction of people, technology, management, and the built environment. As hybrid work continues to evolve, successful workplaces will be designed around human needs and informed by data, not assumptions. Property managers are uniquely positioned to bring those elements together.

A similar people-centered approach is evident in sustainability efforts across our industry. New research cited in More ways to showcase management excellence shows that building owners and operators increasingly view sustainability as an operational strategy, one that supports investor expectations, enhances performance, and recognizes the critical role onsite teams play in achieving results. Sustainability is no longer something that happens only in the design phase of a building. It’s happening every day through the actions and expertise of property management professionals everywhere.

Visiting the IREM UAE chapter in Dubai for the swearing-in of new designees

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in property management, the companies seeing the greatest success are not necessarily the ones adopting the most tools, but the ones taking a disciplined approach to evaluating them. This issue’s feature, Cut through the noise, explores how property managers are focusing on business outcomes, establishing clear guardrails, and ensuring technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human relationships that define our profession. Successful AI adoption starts with people, purpose, and a willingness to distinguish meaningful innovation from the latest trend.

At the same time, housing affordability, workforce shortages, insurance costs, technology, and regulatory issues remain front and center for our industry, as you’ll see in An eye on election season. As policymakers debate solutions in the face of the 2026 midterm elections, property managers will continue to provide the practical expertise to legislators—expertise they need to understand how advancing housing development helps communities thrive. The voice of our profession matters because we understand firsthand how policy decisions affect the real estate industry, a key component of the U.S. economy.

While the topics in this issue vary, they share a common thread: progress happens when people work together across disciplines. Property managers have long excelled at bringing diverse perspectives together to solve complex challenges. That ability will continue to be one of our greatest strengths.

Speaking at the IREM Region 12 Conference in Boise, Idaho

On a personal note, I’m wrapping up my term as IREM^® president at the end of the year. Serving this organization has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I’m deeply grateful and honored to have had this experience. I’ve been lucky to have met so many members and experienced what IREM membership feels like in a lot of places around the world. While it’s difficult to say goodbye, I’m confident that IREM’s future is in very good hands and will be expertly led by IREM’s 2026 President-elect Kim Collins, CPM^®, whose vast experience and commitment to our members will continue to advance the IREM mission.

Never forget that our time is now: to lead with purpose, to connect across borders, and to make a lasting impact.