Impact Stories

Robert K. and Gladys M. Beal Legacy Scholarship recipient Karla Moreno is able to gain support to help achieve her goals.

Name: Karla Moreno

Chapter: IREM^® El Paso Chapter
Current Membership: CPM^® candidate
Member since: 2023
Scholarship: Robert K. and Gladys M. Beal Legacy Scholarship recipient

Our impact:

Starting over 25 years ago in Mexico, Karla tells us about her journey becoming a property manager before moving to the United States. “When I started, the field was predominantly male-dominated, and I was one of the very few women in the industry. Over the years, I have encountered and overcome numerous challenges, and I can proudly say that I love being a property manager.”

Working her way up from a property management assistant, she’s seen the industry evolve significantly over the years and is dedicated to continuing to learn and achieve your goals. “As a mother of two wonderful daughters, I feel a deep responsibility to set a strong example for them. I want to demonstrate that it is never too late to improve oneself, to dream big, and to strive for higher and better opportunities. I want them to see the importance of keeping one's goals in check and continuously reaching for success. Only recently, learning about IREM, Karla immediately recognized the value of certification. Through the Foundation scholarship, Karla has been able to gain support to help her achieve her goal of contributing even more to the field of property management.

Robert K. and Gladys M. Beal Legacy Scholarship recipient Brenda Ochoa is able to seek mentorship from seasoned professionals.

Name: Brenda Ochoa

Chapter: IREM^® Columbus Chapter
Current Membership: CPM^® candidate
Member since: 2024
Scholarship: Robert K. and Gladys M. Beal Legacy Scholarship recipient

Our impact:

Brenda’s fascination with real estate began when she was 11, after watching her dad purchase and transform old, abandoned homes. That fascination carried through her business bachelor’s degree to a role in real estate finance. A role she loved and thrived in, then the setback of job loss occurred. Brenda shares “One year later, I and several others would lose our jobs due to record high mortgage rates which caused record low home sales. I immediately recognized this setback as an opportunity to again attempt to enter property management.”

“Just two months later, it would be three years total when I would finally set foot in the industry of my daydreams.” After two years in the industry, she has “come a long way in a short time”. “I started off as an administrator who knew only the 3-4 individuals in our industry. I quickly immersed myself in BOMA, IREM and IFMA association events, from educational opportunities, networking to community volunteering events. It was the best thing I could have done for my career, as it allowed me to seek mentorship from seasoned professionals who are eager to help the next generation of managers.

Eugene Burger Scholarship recipient Lance Ashby-Williams is empowered to become a resources to communities in need.

Name: Lance Ashby-Williams

Chapter: IREM^® Greater New York Chapter
Current Membership: CPM^® candidate
Member since: 2024
Scholarship: Eugene Burger Scholarship recipient

Our impact:

Lance embarked on his property management journey in 2009 and quickly sought out the CPM^® certification with IREM. “While I started by taking two courses, I never became ingrained the way I intended and was a long way from the professional experience required to obtain my CPM^®. I was ready and willing but lacking in ability”, Williams tells us.

Today he’s revisiting the prospects of becoming a CPM^®, still viewing it as “the most prestigious designation to have in this field.” This time he’s “not only ready and willing, but now prepared!” Over the course of the last decade, Williams has managed housing developments in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. “I am dedicated to the survival of affordable housing in New York and beyond. I believe that becoming a CPM^® will enhance my abilities and my standing within the property management world so that I may continue being a resource to communities in need of sound management.”

Paul H. Rittle, Sr., Memorial Scholarship recipient and three-time Donald M. Furbush Scholarship recipient Melissa Hewitt is able to learn and apply skills as property manager.

Name: Melissa Hewitt

Chapter: IREM^® Mississippi Chapter
Current Membership: CPM^® candidate
Member since: 2021
Scholarship: Paul H. Rittle, Sr., Memorial Scholarship recipient and three-time Donald M. Furbush Scholarship recipient

Our impact:

Melissa is a four-time Foundation scholarship recipient and is dedicated in her pursuit of becoming the best Certified Property Manager (CPM^®) she can be. In her words, “After signing up for what I believed was the CPM^® membership, I discovered that I had actually registered as an Associate. Initially, I was upset about having to sit out for a year, but I soon realized this was a blessing in disguise. This time allowed me to apply the skills I had learned over the past several months and further develop as a property manager. The knowledge I have gained from the courses I've completed has been outstanding, and I strive to use something I've learned every day.”

With the help of IREM courses, she’s able to work with young property managers, assisting with their trainings; a role she enjoys. “I love the challenges, the crazy moments, and the joy of seeing new tenants beam when they find their perfect space. I love it all, plain and simple. This would not have been possible without the support of IREM and its scholarship program.”