Kelmann Collaborates to Found Women in Property Management Summit
Kelmann Restoration is a proud partner to many community organizations. Our employees are leaders and community activists; one of our own recently co-founded a unique organization that educates and supports women in our industry.
Last spring, four female professionals – including Business Development Manager for Kelmann Restoration, Joelle Bertsche – came together to solve an industry problem. They saw the need for a space where property managers and suppliers could inspire and support one another’s growth in the industry. The result? LIFT (Ladies In the Field Together), a non-profit organization, was created to facilitate educational and networking opportunities for men and women to fuel the property management industry. LIFT strives to be a valuable resource to fellow professionals in both commercial and residential real estate while equipping and empowering customers with a deeper understanding of their own personal and professional purpose.
On November 7 and 8, LIFT hosted the first annual Women in Property Management Summit at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was an uplifting celebration that featured time for women on both sides of the property management industry to have the opportunity to learn more about who they are as professionals as well as friends, mothers, sisters and wives. The Grand Geneva was the perfect setting for these women to renew their passion for their careers and grow their relationships.
LIFT also presented their first ever Woman of Influence Award to Laura Kleczkowski, Director of Property Management of Fiduciary Real Estate Development, who was nominated by her peers.
Friday started with an insightful panel discussion headed by 5 influential female leaders in the industry: Kristin Dufek, Vice President of EUA, Eppstein Uhen Architects, Kami Brauer, Vice President of Hendricks Commercial Properties, LLC, Laura Kleczkowski, Director of Property Management of Fiduciary Real Estate Development, Laura Dietz, Supervising Regional Sales Manager of CORT and Amy Sovine, Regional Asset Manager and Training Specialist of Physicians Realty Trust. The discussion was moderated by Master of Ceremonies, Alexis Luedtke, Property Manager of Brookfield Reserve for Atlantic Residential. Following the panel, Keynote Speaker, Dorothy Enriquez, The Communication Strategist, presented her discussion on “Her Seat at The Table.” This event helped these women develop new relationships and help them grow through self-reflection of our keynote speaker. It allowed time for breakout groups to discuss personal stories and offered advice to their peers.
Said one attendee: “The Summit was very informative and uplifting, and to have so many professional women in the industry to gather and support each other was not only invigorating, but powerful. LIFT MKE is an organization that any woman in the real estate industry should be a part of and use as a tool to support them in their careers.”
The summit had an overwhelming attendance this year with 81 guests. LIFT hopes to continue to grow this event annually and it could not have been possible without the partnerships of the industries local suppliers. For a list of LIFT’s partners and more information about LIFT please click here.