IREM’s commitment to diversity

It’s our recognition that everyone in the real estate management profession has a voice and there is a need to honor the diversity of our community. It’s our promise to provide value that makes a difference in the lives of all stakeholders. In July 2021, IREM established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy and roadmap to provide IREM with an overall direction and DEI vision that supports the IREM brand.

Our vision is a commitment to fostering a welcoming environment that continues to embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity. We will be better tomorrow than we are today.

Equity for us means that we acknowledge that everyone starts from a different place. We elevate individuals by continuously being progressive in identifying and removing unintentional barriers that may impede access and success.

Inclusion for us means we will create an environment where individuals in our profession feel valued, respected, supported, and welcome to bring their authentic selves to IREM.

Diversity for us means we embrace our similarities and differences. We welcome a myriad of all races, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, creeds, nationalities, national origins, and individuals with disabilities to our community.

DEI Strategy and Roadmap

To be intentional about the implementation of the DEI strategy, five workstreams were developed to ensure DEI is embedded in all the work IREM does. The vision and definitions above will help to continue to guide the work we do in each of these areas.

Work stream

Recognition, action, and outreach

Outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Sponsoring organization of the Association Forum’s Welcoming Environment initiative research and summit
IREM Foundation Diversity Outreach Scholarship assists individuals from underrepresented population groups with the cost of tuition associated with achieving an IREM certification.
The Diversity & Inclusion Succession Initiative (DISI) recognizes IREM members from underrepresented groups who are committed to diversity in the workplace and in the real estate management profession. DISI leaders have demonstrated leadership skills, have an interest in advancing their leadership skills at the national level, and in advancing their property management careers using IREM networking. Thanks to a generous grant from the IREM Foundation, 10 qualified candidates are selected each year.

2022 and previous DISI leaders

Applications for our 2022 DISI program are now closed. Learn more about DISI.

"IREM makes diversity a priority as an organization because it sees the value of bringing in all sorts of ideas, and opinions, and perspectives into real estate. We know that each building's a little different, each market is a little different. And as a result, we need people that think differently and come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences to tackle the idiosyncrasies of our particular properties."

Kasara Smith, CPM^{^®}

2020 IREM President Cheryl Gray, CPM^{^®} and Jasmyn Sylvester, CPM^{^®} discuss the importance of diversity in the real estate industry and property management profession at the 2020 Virtual IREM Summit.

2020 IREM President Cheryl Gray, CPM^{^®} and 2020 Virtual IREM Summit keynote speaker John Register chat about how to approach conversations related to diversity, inclusion, and race.

Diversity Advisory Board

Established in 2007, the Diversity Advisory Board works on a national level to attract and engage diverse individuals to real estate management and IREM.

Kaci B. Hancock, CPM®, ACoM - Houston, TX, REIS Associates (Chair)
Neil R. Cadman, CPM® - El Segundo, CA, Cadman Group (Vice Chair)

Michael L Adcock, ARM® - Manor, TX
Todd Anderson – Herndon, VA, Moore & Associates
Kurstie Butcher, ARM® – Lake In the Hills, IL, Draper and Kramer
Nthabiseng Chambela, CPM® – South Africa, AECI Property Services
John Dempsey – Pearl River, NY, NYU
Glenn L. French, CPM® – Raleigh, NC, G. L. French & Associates, Inc.
Chevalle Hardison, CPM® – Washington, DC, Easterly Government Properties
Kristin E Hiett, CAE - Addison, TX
Jean R. Lespinasse, ARM® – Newton, MA, Barkan Management Company
Imanu Lewis – Lakewood, OH, Westerly Apartments
Rachel Mondelli – Salt Lake City, UT, Bridge Property Management
Michelle L. Olson, CPM® – Los Angeles, CA
Kimberly Parker, CPM® – Boston, MA
Christy S Paul, ARM® – Southfield, MI, Volunteers of America, MI
Marc Paylor, Robbinsdale, MN
Karoline Peralta, ARM® – Boston, MA, Virtue Properties
Ashley Rodriguez – Austin, TX, Endeavor Real Estate Group
Jae A. Roe, CPM®, ACoM – Norfolk, VA, The RMR Group
Terrence Robillard – San Francisco, CA
Tasha M. Rush, ARM® - Romeoville, IL
Jasmyn C. Sylvester, CPM®, ACoM – Snellville, GA
Cecilia Andrade Tavares, ARM® – Fall River, MA, The Fairways
Sharon Turner, CPM® – Columbia, MD, Enterprise Community Investment Assets
Tiffany Tatiana Wright, ARM® – Hackensack, NJ
Ziomara M. Young, CPM® – Grand Prairie, TX, W3 Luxury Living

Resources

Articles

Toward Cultural Diversity
Workplace Diversity Does Matter
Diversity Delivers: Four Tips for Embracing Differences

Governance

IREM Diversity Advisory Board