“I came across my mentors by accident,” she recalls, “which is the best way ever to find them. I met my first–I have two–at an IREM luncheon. She gravitated to me, introduced herself and offered to help me.” Of course, I said ‘sure thing.’” And here, she makes a simple but critical point for all mentees: “You have to be open to those opportunities.”
Mentor #1 was IREM’s 2022 chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board, Kaci Hancock, CPM®, ACoM®. “Her mindset was, ‘let me teach you what I’ve learned and help you to move forward.’ She plays a very important role, even within my growth in IREM. She’s always supported my choices and provided information that wouldn’t have come otherwise. She’s always there.” (Hancock is also the Houston Chapter’s immediate past president.)
Mentor #2, as more than a couple of Building the Future subjects have attested to, was Debbie Phillips, Ph.D., CPM®. Again, her future mentor approached her at an IREM luncheon, “asked me a few questions and I told her one of my goals was to be a national speaker.” Phillips’ response was a simple, “I’ll help you.”
Her support, like that of Hancock, has been unwavering. And clearly impactful. Livingston gave her first public address at the 2022 National Apartment Association Conference in San Diego. Her topic? Not surprisingly dovetailing with her focus on mentorship, was how all generations can work together with mutual respect and understanding.
But Livingston’s success to date has not been solely at the hands of her mentors. As she indicates, property managers of all ages need to be open to opportunities. And this drive was reinforced with her being named last year to IREM’s 30 Under 30 and, in 2020, to the Houston Chapter’s Future Leaders.
“I use these platforms for two purposes,” she explains. “Personally, I find encouragement in them and the inspiration to keep pushing forward.”
But there’s also a broader focus: “I see myself as a voice for the younger generation,” she says. “I want to let them know that property management is a very good choice for a career.” Youth gravitates toward youth, she says, and “younger leaders can do a lot to attract and retain younger talent. That’s how this profession will keep growing.”
For people coming up in the industry, her advice is to never stop asking and learning. “No matter what level you’re at when you enter into the profession,” she says, “gain as much knowledge as you can. It’s always evolving. And remember that every position is important in property management.” It’s a lesson more seasoned pros can learn as well, she adds.
So, she continues to gain education and develop her skills. But where does Livingston see herself in 10 years? “I want to have my own small property management company either in Houston or back in Michigan or maybe both.”
No matter the location, she sees herself holding true to her vow to pay it forward. “I will be a mentor. No matter where we are in life, there’s always someone we can assist. I always ask for help, and I was never told no. I want to be that for someone else.”