MHN Executive Council: When Your Team Goes Above and Beyond
It's about time for hard workers to get their flowers!
There are a lot of hard workers in the multifamily industry. But sometimes people go even further out of their way to help their coworkers or their residents. This month, MHN is thrilled to acknowledge those people who go above and beyond their job descriptions.
Great Team Work
The REMM Group have quarterly awards called Going Beyond Creating Value, where team members nominate their peers for outstanding service. The stories we hear are always inspiring.
I recently experienced one of these moments myself. Just after Christmas, I visited a friend who lives in one of our communities. She has a new baby—and as you can imagine, lots of empty boxes after the holiday. I grabbed an armful to take to the trash bin, but before I got far, one of the maintenance team members saw me. He immediately offered to take them for me, even though the trash area was a bit of a walk. A few minutes later, I came out with another load, and though he was headed in the opposite direction, he again took them off my hands with a cheerful attitude.
It may seem like a small gesture, but moments like that leave a lasting impression. They reflect a culture of care that’s not limited to this one encounter. Our online reviews frequently highlight team members “saving the day,” helping carry in groceries, assisting elderly visitors, or simply going out of their way to make life easier for residents.
It’s not just residents who benefit. Our associates consistently go above and beyond to support, encourage, and mentor each other. That spirit reduces stress, boosts efficiency, and strengthens both our teams and the communities they serve. —Susan McPeak, Corporate Ambassador, The REMM Group
Strong Leadership
Since Jaben Temple, one of our senior project designers, came on board six years ago, he’s developed into an exceptional team and project leader. In addition to currently managing over 10 design projects, he’s serving as the lead designer on a new project in Jersey City. The new multifamily property is not only complex in architecture, it involves multiple partners collaborating to transform a historic 140-year old Jersey City church into a modern 23-floor glass tower that will feature over 400 apartments. The building’s historic façade that includes stained glass and an iconic bell tower will be integrated into the new design.
The project demands focus, an ability to pivot with many moving targets, leadership, communication and decision-making skills, as well as insight and innovation to solve complex design challenges. Jaben is managing all of this under a very compressed timeline with grace and professionalism. His added effort includes consistent overtime—sometimes 20 hours a week.
In the midst of all these demands, he takes time to mentor and train newer designers on the team. He’s adept at breaking complex matters down into digestible and understandable nuggets. He consistently brings a commitment to quality and client service never missing a beat. His can-do, full-steam ahead attitude inspires the entire MCA team. —Mary Cook, President, Mary Cook Associates
Proactive Spirit
What defines a team isn’t just how people perform when they’re asked to—it’s what they choose to do when they don’t have to. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many talented individuals at LIVunLtd, but two recent examples stand out as powerful reminders of what it means to go above and beyond.
Lauren Orsini, lead coordinator of marketing & programming, took it upon herself to visit a cluster of buildings we had loosely identified as prospective clients. Without prompting, she researched the properties, evaluated their current offerings, and reported back with actionable insights—all on her own initiative. Her willingness to step in and volunteer to do more than her share of work reflects a larger truth about her work ethic: she brings bold ideas and an unwavering sense of ownership to everything she touches.
Meanwhile, Experience Manager Lizmary Garcia has transformed one of our more challenging locations—a property where engagement had historically been minimal—into a model for what’s possible when relationship-building and creativity intersect. From strengthening board connections, to launching fitness programming and generating new revenue through personal training packages and equipment sales, Lizmary has elevated the property’s amenity experience and redefined its potential.
Both Lauren and Lizmary embody the proactive spirit that moves our company forward. They don’t just do the job—they expand its scope, lean into opportunity, and demonstrate what’s possible when people feel empowered to lead from where they are. —Brian Buccino, President & COO, LIVunLtd
Showing Compassion
Working in marketing at Grace Hill, I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling—but nothing could have prepared me for the story I would personally live through these past two months. When my husband was diagnosed with advanced cancer, my life was upended in a way I never expected. In that moment, the concept of “team” took on an entirely new meaning.
Without hesitation or need for instruction, my colleagues have stepped in. They aren’t just covering for me—they are helping to carry me. Projects that could have easily faltered were picked up and moved forward with care, creativity and a clear understanding of what was needed. They anticipated deadlines, communicated with stakeholders and are protecting my space so I can focus on my family.
What strikes me most is their emotional intelligence. They haven’t asked for direction or recognition — they simply know when to step in and how to do it with grace. It has been one of the most humbling experiences of my career, and a true reminder of the power of empathy in leadership and teamwork.
In multifamily—an industry built on people, trust and community—it’s easy to talk about service and support as values. But my team at Grace Hill lives those values in a way I’ll never forget. Their actions remind me that in both business and life, the most meaningful impact often happens behind the scenes—in the quiet moments where compassion meets action. —Stephanie Anderson, Senior Director, Grace Hill
Interested in joining the MHN Executive Council and sharing your insights? Email Jessica Fiur.
