02/18/2026
11 am PT / 12 pm MT / 1 pm CT / 2 pm ET
*approximate length: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Presenters:
- Ted Thurn, Senior Director, Government Affairs, IREM
- Hillary Vrba, Government Affairs Liaison, IREM
- Marcus Geralds, M.A., Manager, Career Development
Today’s property management landscape is evolving faster than ever, and the next generation of professionals is uniquely positioned to influence the policies and practices that will define the industry for decades to come.
This webinar empowers rising leaders to understand their role in advocacy, recognize how legislative changes directly impact their work, and learn how to confidently engage in the policy conversations shaping housing, operations, compliance, and the resident experience.
In this dynamic session, participants will explore:
- The top legislative and regulatory issues impacting property management today
- Why NextGen voices are essential in shaping fair, effective, and future-ready housing policy
- How to advocate at the local, state, and national levels no matter what your experience
- Practical ways to get involved, build influence, and elevate your professional impact
- Strategies to communicate effectively with lawmakers, policymakers, and stakeholders
Whether you’re early in your career or stepping into a leadership role, you’ll leave equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make your voice heard—and help secure a stronger, more sustainable future for the property management profession.
Learning Objectives:
- Why NextGen voices are essential in shaping fair, effective, and future-ready housing policy
- How to advocate at the local, state, and national levels no matter what your experience
- Strategies to communicate effectively with lawmakers, policymakers, and stakeholders
Ted Thurn is IREM’s Senior Director of Government Affairs.
Ted Thurn has worked in the association field for the past 20 years. During his time in government affairs, Ted has led all aspects of federal and state legislative advocacy efforts and has served as a key advisor on emerging federal and state legislative agendas. At IREM, Ted is responsible for a number of government affairs initiatives and provides strategic support and recommendation of actions to executive leadership.
Ted holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Xavier University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from DePaul University.
Hillary Vrba is IREM’s Government Affairs Liaison, Government Affairs
Hillary Vrba is IREM’s Government Affairs Liaison and is responsible for supporting the Senior Director in the successful execution of all advocacy-based initiatives and chapter services. Before joining the IREM team, Hillary worked in constituent services for an Illinois state Senator and as a senior staff member on several political campaigns.
Hillary has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at Northwestern University.
Marcus Geralds is IREM’s Manager, Career Development
Marcus Geralds serves as the Manager of Career Development at IREM, where he leads workforce development initiatives designed to engage college students and early career professionals. In this role, he supports IREM’s commitment to positioning real estate management as a career of choice through strategic programming, career pathways, and partnerships that expand industry awareness and opportunity.
Marcus brings a strong background in higher education and student development, having supported student success and career readiness at Lewis University and Concordia University Chicago. Prior to joining IREM, he served as the Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development at Northwestern University, where he advised and developed programming for more than 500 student-athletes, focusing on leadership, professional development, and life design.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Finlandia University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University.