Multi-Family Grit

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Rachel Spakes, Affordable Housing Programs Coordinator, leadership coach, and self-described “Department of One,” for an inspiring conversation about human-centered leadership, resident services, and supporting the people behind affordable housing. Listen in to hear Rachel:Share her unconventional journey from education and teaching in Japan to creating a first-of-its-kind role in affordable housing, where she helps more than 100 properties navigate resident service requirements while building meaningful support systems for on-site teams.Reflect on how the challenges of COVID transformed her focus from compliance alone to employee wellness, leading her to develop trainings, connection initiatives, and practical tools that help property managers navigate stress, isolation, and the realities of multifamily operations.Break down why human connection remains irreplaceable in affordable housing, her vision for more flexible and impactful resident service programs, and how empowering managers ultimately creates stronger outcomes for both residents and communities.

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Diane Yensen, Chief Operating Officer at Lexington Partners, for a powerful conversation about candid leadership, operational turnarounds, and building the future of multifamily with both fundamentals and innovation. Listen in to hear Diane:Share her unconventional journey from a 17-year-old assistant manager to COO of a 3,500-unit portfolio—and how grit, adaptability, and a love for fixing challenges shaped her career as “The Jensenator”Break down her simple yet proven approach to 30-60-90-day turnarounds, the “people, product, price” formula, and why stable teams are the foundation of stable assetsReflect on balancing technology and timeless fundamentals, from multimillion-dollar software conversions to mentoring entry-level hires into leadership, and why property management remains one of the most important jobs in real estate

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Jayson Yoss, President and Managing Broker of GoldenWest Management, for an eye-opening conversation about boutique multifamily, disciplined leadership, and thriving amid regulatory chaos. Listen in to hear Jayson:Share his journey from Marine Corps infantry officer with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan to building a property management firm overseeing nearly 1,000 units across three states—and how discipline, accountability, and problem-solving shaped his leadership philosophyBreak down why boutique multifamily (8–40 units) is an overlooked but high-potential segment, and how his team uses triage strategies, clear communication, and process-driven management to stabilize struggling properties and earn client trustReflect on the realities of today’s shifting landlord–tenant laws, the importance of compliance over conflict, and how balancing fatherhood with triplets keeps him grounded in what truly matters

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Lindsay Duffy, Vice President of Operations at Asset Living, for a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and people-first innovation in multifamily. Listen in to hear Lindsay:Share her remarkable journey from growing up on site with property manager parents, to navigating loss, and ultimately channeling those experiences into a career leading operations for one of the largest third-party managers in the countryReflect on why she thrives in chaos—drawing from her time as a volunteer firefighter, embracing rapid change, and mentoring teams with both accountability and heartBreak down her passion for leveraging technology without losing the human element, championing culture across five states, and inspiring the next generation of multifamily leaders through mentorship and impact

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Tiffany Tillotson, Director of Special Projects and Collaborations at New Hope Housing, for a powerful conversation about creativity, community, and commitment in the world of affordable housing. Listen in to hear Tiffany:Share how her journey from student housing to nonprofit leadership is shaped by lived experience, relentless energy, and a fierce belief in the power of resident-first solutionsBreak down transformative programs like Jazz Under the Stars and the Someone Studio, where a haircut becomes a catalyst for confidence, connection, and hopeReflect on the complexities of juggling law school, motherhood, and two jobs—and how staying grounded in purpose helps her navigate shifting leadership and keep showing up with heart

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Alex LaFlam, National Account Executive at WithMe, for a fast-paced and heartfelt conversation about smart spending, scalable partnerships, and staying rooted in real on-site experience. Listen in to hear Alex:Share her 15+ year journey from an eager leasing agent in Sacramento to leading national strategy at a cutting-edge proptech company—and how she found love (and her husband!) along the way in the halls of multifamilyReflect on the challenges and grit of running high-demand lease-ups in San Francisco, how the pandemic reshaped her leadership, and why operators need tech that actually works for site teamsBreak down how WithMe is helping owners future-proof amenities, control costs through smart software, and deliver reliable resident experiences—with ROI that’s measured in trust, efficiency, and NOI impact

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Kelley Brine, President of Rose Valley Management, for a dynamic conversation about culture-driven leadership, embracing change, and leading with authenticity. Listen in to hear Kelley:Share how she unexpectedly fell into real estate 25 years ago—and how her journey from a leasing agent in New York to President of a $2 billion portfolio was shaped by grit, empathy, and a passion for purposeful leadershipReflect on her first year at Rose Valley, including navigating a “tornado on fire,” building culture from the literal ground up, and aligning teams around a shared vision of operational excellence and human-first valuesBreak down her approach to work-life presence over balance, championing women in leadership, and why she believes survival, simplicity, and strong support systems are the secret weapons of sustainable success

In this episode, Kerri Davis, CEO and Founder of Fortress, sits down with Cristy Abud, Director of Training and Compliance at Priderock Capital Management, for an insightful conversation about scaling support teams, training with heart, and balancing people with process. Listen in to hear Cristy:Share how she went from a temporary leasing agent to leading a nationwide training and compliance team—and how saying “yes” shaped her career and earned her a custom-made role on the corporate teamBreak down her team’s role as the “fixers,” including how she uses data, grounded goals, and deep relationships with operations to create targeted support for struggling sitesReflect on the challenges of 100% travel roles, how she safeguards team mental health, and why prioritizing empathy, structure, and growth keeps her team (and portfolio) thriving