Announcing the
2027 Keynotes and Conference Speakers
Melina Palmer
Founder and CEO, The Brainy Business
Melina Palmer
Founder and CEO, The Brainy BusinessMelina Palmer has helped some of the most Influential companies use behavioral economics to better understand their customers and teams. A sought-after speaker, she provides training and mentoring to organizations large and small. Melina’s superpower is making behavioral economics accessible to everyone. Behavioral economics combines the best of economics, psychology, and neuroscience to explain the driving forces behind why people make the decisions they do. She takes behavioral economics out of academia and into application so you can be more thoughtful. She is the founder and CEO of The Brainy Business; three-time best-selling author; host of the award-winning The Brainy Business Podcast; acclaimed TEDx speaker; and instructor of behavioral science at Texas A&M University.
Andrew Davis
Bestselling author & acclaimed keynote speaker
Andrew Davis
Bestselling author & acclaimed keynote speakerAndrew Davis is a bestselling author and internationally acclaimed keynote speaker. Before building and selling a thriving digital marketing agency, Andrew produced for NBC’s Today Show, worked for The Muppets in New York and wrote for Charles Kuralt. He's appeared in the New York Times, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and on NBC and the BBC. Davis has crafted documentary films and award-winning content for tiny start-ups and Fortune 500 brands. Recognized as one of the industry's "Jaw-Dropping Marketing Speakers," Andrew is a mainstay on global marketing influencer lists. Wherever he goes, Andrew Davis puts his infectious enthusiasm and magnetic speaking style to good use teaching business leaders how to grow their businesses, transform their cities, and leave their legacy.
All of our 2027 Conference Speakers
Alex Abernathy
Head of Sales Production, Asset Living
Alex Abernathy
Head of Sales Production, Asset LivingAlex Abernathy is Head of Sales Production, overseeing business development support, client engagement initiatives, and corporate marketing teams. He has worked in the real estate industry for 18 years, totaling over 15 with Asset Living. Alex is focused on tailoring property management solutions for key client prospects, providing strategy and support for client portfolios, and enhancing Asset Living's brand messaging. Since joining Asset Living in 2011, Alex has helped establish the dedicated New Development Lease-Up Team, Poetic, and National Portfolio Marketing Teams. Alex has extensive experience in over 200 U.S. and international markets covering Market Rate, Student, Affordable, Active Adult, and Build-to-rent. Alex has become an industry voice in marketing, technology, and AI. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Florida. When Alex is not in the office, he enjoys golfing, flying, and spending time with his wife, Ariel, and two golden retrievers, Birdie and Maizy.
Erica Byrum
Assistant Vice President of Social Media, Apartments.com
Erica Byrum
Assistant Vice President of Social Media, Apartments.comErica Byrum serves as the Assistant Vice President of Social Media at Apartments.com, a leading apartment listing platform under CoStar Group. With 20+ years in digital marketing, she excels in digital transformation, social media strategy, and revenue growth across real estate, multifamily, and vacation rental industries. A former Division I collegiate soccer player, Erica brings a competitive mindset to sales and marketing. She co-authored "Youtility for Real Estate" and has been recognized as a top social media influencer, earning PR News' Social Media MVP and multiple President’s Club honors. At Apartments.com, she leads the vision and execution of social media solutions that elevate multifamily brands and enhance online reputation. Beyond work, Erica is deeply involved in her Norfolk community, volunteering at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and staying active in local sports leagues. Whether on the field, court, or boating on the Lafayette River, she thrives on connection, competition, and community.
Martin Canchola
CPACC/National Multifamily Speaker
Martin Canchola
CPACC/National Multifamily SpeakerMartin Canchola is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Apartment SEO, a leading digital marketing agency powering visibility for some of the largest property management companies in the country. With 20+ years of experience in SEO, Local Search, Google Ads, and AI-powered digital strategy, Martin has spent his career at the intersection of search and multifamily real estate, building the playbooks that help apartment communities get found, get leased, and stay full.
Kristi Fickert
Senior Vice President of Growth and Marketing, Kurie
Kristi Fickert
Senior Vice President of Growth and Marketing, KurieKristi Fickert is the Senior Vice President of Growth and Marketing at Kurie, with 27 years in multifamily. She spent 15 years leading marketing for one of the Nation’s Top 50 management companies before moving into the digital agency and technology sectors. Known for sparking ideas and connecting people, Kristi bridges vision with action—helping marketers and operators apply technology, creativity, and strategy in ways that are both impactful and achievable. She is an instructor for apartment associations nationwide and a frequent speaker at industry events, including AIM, NAA, IREM, and the Multifamily Social Media Summit. Kristi also serves as an NAA 20 on the Rise ambassador, sits on multiple NAA committees, and co-founded the AI Xchange, a multifamily peer council. Beyond the industry, she has been featured by the Cincinnati Reds, Urban Land Institute, and Commercial Real Estate Women.
Rob Hayden
CEO and Co Founder, Renew
Rob Hayden
CEO and Co Founder, RenewRob Hayden is the Co-founder and CEO of Renew, a resident retention platform for rental housing operators. Prior to starting Renew in 2020, Rob was part of the founding team and VP of Strategic Partnerships at Jetty, a fintech company for the rental market. Prior to Jetty, Rob served as a Director at New York Life Ventures and on the legal team at American Well (NYSE: AWML). Rob has a JD/MBA from Boston College and a BA from SMU in Dallas, TX - where was a Hunt Scholar. Rob lives in South Florida with his wife and 3 young children.
Monica Frazier
Direct of Operations, Bedrock
Monica Frazier
Direct of Operations, BedrockMonica Frazier is a Director of Operations at Bedrock and the founder of Your Resident Professor, LLC, where she helps multifamily professionals bridge the gap between strategy and execution. With more than 13 years of experience spanning conventional multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use operations, Monica is known for transforming complex operational challenges into engaging, actionable learning experiences. A nationally recognized speaker and NAAEI Faculty member, Monica has presented at Apartmentalize, state and local apartment associations, leadership conferences, and industry events across the country. Her sessions combine storytelling, operational expertise, and practical application, equipping attendees with tools they can implement immediately. Whether discussing resident experience, AI, operational excellence, leadership, or customer service, Monica's approach is rooted in one belief: great marketing may earn the lease, but great operations earn the resident.
Adam Japko
Founder & CEO Esteem Media
Adam Japko
Founder & CEO Esteem MediaLeading up to founding Esteem Media and its managing investor role in New England Home Magazine, LLC., Adam served as President of DigitalSherpa, a high growth SMB social media and internet discovery business offering content, social media, reputation management, local listings, lead generation, web business intelligence, and other internet marketing programs. The company served over 4,000 SMBs. These experiences, along with the success of his wine blog, WineZag, reaffirmed a deep belief that community engagement, quality content, and in-person networking are lethal tools for transforming brands and businesses in meaningful ways. Prior to DigitalSherpa, Adam lead the creation of the largest network of regional luxury shelter media properties for Network Communications, Inc (NCI). While President there, he acquired or launched all of the properties that now make up Esteem Media, Inc.’s portfolio. Earlier, Japko spent 14 years at PennWell Corporation, a privately held business-to-business information provider serving the global Technology, Energy, and Municipal Services markets as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Advanced Technology Division and member of the company’s board of directors. His background in the publishing, online, and event management industry also includes management positions at Media Networks, Inc. a 3M Company specializing in local networks of national magazines including Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, and Business Week, Sunday Magazine Network, and various B2B media companies including BMT, Gralla, and Miller Freeman (United Newspapers). Adam continues as an active member of the wine industry’s social media landscape through his award winning blog; WineZag. In 1979 Japko received a BA in Journalism from New York University.
Dustin Hayes
Founder, Hermosa Digital
Dustin Hayes
Founder, Hermosa DigitalA passionate brand builder, speaker, and marketing futurist, Dustin Hayes has earned a reputation developing disruptive marketing strategies for Fortune 500 brands and technology startups. A creative at heart, Dustin began his career building content for top media and broadcast networks including MTV, CBS, and HBO. Today, he works alongside business leaders to provide new perspective and direction, helping brands realize and surpass their goals.
Jacob Kosior
VP of Client Strategy, EliseAI
Jacob Kosior
VP of Client Strategy, EliseAI
Virginia Love
Vice President, Industry Principal, Entrata
Virginia Love
Vice President, Industry Principal, EntrataVirginia Love began her multifamily career 34 years ago as a leasing consultant earning $5.72 an hour—and never looked back. She’s held key roles in training, marketing, and operations at top firms, spent 12 years as VP of Leasing & Marketing at Waterton, and now serves as Industry Principal at Entrata. A recognized leader, speaker, and Apartment All-Star, Virginia has been named a GlobeSt Woman of Influence twice, Connect CRE Woman in Real Estate, and 2025 Georgia Apartment Association Hall of Fame inductee.
Crystal Miner
Cultural Performance Leader, The Collier Companies
Crystal Miner
Cultural Performance Leader, The Collier CompaniesCrystal Miner serves as the Culture Performance Leader for The Collier Companies, where she develops learning strategies, onboarding programs, leadership development, and company-wide initiatives that strengthen organizational culture and business performance. Her work bridges the gap between employee experience and customer experience, helping teams understand how everyday interactions influence resident satisfaction, retention, and brand reputation. With extensive experience designing sales training, leasing education, leadership development, and large-scale conferences, Crystal is passionate about helping organizations move beyond transactional thinking and create experiences that inspire both employees and residents. She believes that every team member represents the brand and that operational excellence is one of the most overlooked drivers of marketing success. Crystal is known for delivering practical, engaging presentations that challenge conventional thinking while providing actionable strategies leaders can immediately implement within their organizations.
Ashley McGovern
Director of Content Marketing, Nurture Boss
Ashley McGovern
Director of Content Marketing, Nurture BossAshley McGovern is the Director of Content Marketing at Nurture Boss with over five years of marketing experience in the property technology startup space. Before joining Nurture Boss, she helped build successful marketing campaigns at Realync through its successful exit to Grace Hill. Ashley is also a Chicago-based TikTok creator with nearly 20,000 followers, where she blends her storytelling skills and marketing expertise into engaging, authentic content
Stephanie Oehler
Founder, Savvy Leasing
Stephanie Oehler
Founder, Savvy LeasingStephanie is the founder of Savvy Leasing, a multifamily sales training, speaking, and consulting company focused on leasing performance, leadership, and accountability. A national speaker and fractional marketing leader, she has spent more than 25 years connecting marketing strategy with operational execution—creating practical tools and strategies that marketing and operations teams can put to work immediately. Stephanie has presented at NAA Apartmentalize, AIM, MRI User Conference, PMA, MMC, and numerous apartment associations across the country. She is a guest lecturer for Ball State University's Property Management program, serves on the National Apartment Association Tech Committee, and volunteers with EntrywayTalent.org. Known for her high-energy, engaging style, Stephanie equips audiences with practical ideas they can implement the very next day.
Liz Pizzo
Director of Marketing, The Galman Group
Liz Pizzo
Director of Marketing, The Galman GroupLiz Pizzo is the Director of Marketing at The Galman Group, where she leads marketing strategy for a portfolio of more than 7,500 apartment homes across Pennsylvania and Delaware. With over 15 years of multifamily experience, she combines operational expertise with strategic leadership to drive business performance, brand growth, and innovation. Passionate about the intersection of marketing, technology, and operations, Liz focuses on leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to modernize processes and deliver measurable results. She is an advocate for industry collaboration, professional development, and challenging conventional approaches to multifamily marketing. Outside of work, Liz is an avid traveler who loves exploring new destinations, experiencing different cultures, and planning her next adventure.
Annika Navac
Marketing Manager, The Bainbridge Companies
Annika Navac
Marketing Manager, The Bainbridge Companies
Annika is a multifamily marketing strategist who helps organizations turn emerging ideas into practical, people-centered strategies. With experience spanning brand, communications, customer experience, and marketing operations, she brings a thoughtful and refreshingly honest perspective to the rapidly changing world of AI.
Rather than treating AI as a magic solution, Annika approaches it like any good relationship: with curiosity, clear expectations, healthy boundaries, and a willingness to walk away when the fit is wrong. She is especially interested in helping marketers understand how their individual working styles influence the tools they choose and the results they achieve.
Through engaging, practical sessions, Annika helps multifamily professionals evaluate AI confidently, preserve the human voice behind their brands, and build flexible toolkits that support their teams without replacing their judgment, creativity, or connection.
Denise Renesto
Digital Marketing Manager, IMT Residential
Denise Renesto
Digital Marketing Manager, IMT ResidentialDenise Renesto is a marketing leader with more than 16 years of experience developing data-driven omnichannel strategies for global brands, including Hyundai, Toyota, T-Mobile, and Sephora. Since joining IMT Residential in October 2025, she has applied her expertise in performance media, brand strategy, and audience engagement to multifamily housing marketing. She is passionate about helping multifamily marketers combine strategic thinking with measurable performance to create stronger brands and better customer experiences.
Kadi Mancuso Rice
Vice President of Leasing & Marketing, Tailwind Group
Kadi Mancuso Rice
Vice President of Leasing & Marketing, Tailwind GroupKadi leads national leasing, marketing and resident experience strategies across a growing multifamily portfolio. With more than 15 years of experience in student and conventional housing, she is recognized for building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence and creating marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. A respected industry speaker and thought leader, Kadi is passionate about helping multifamily professionals challenge the status quo, embrace innovation and strengthen both the customer and employee experience. Known for her collaborative leadership style and practical approach, she shares actionable insights that empower teams to elevate performance while keeping people at the center of every decision.
Michelle Smith
VP of Digital Strategy, Willow Bridge Property Company
Michelle Smith
VP of Digital Strategy, Willow Bridge Property Company
Lia Nichole Smith
Chief Brand Strategist, Spherexx.com
Lia Nichole Smith
Chief Brand Strategist, Spherexx.comLia Nichole Smith is a trend-spotting thought leader who turns market research and renter trends into compelling narratives. A GlobeSt. Multifamily Influencer and an expert in predictive analytics, she’s known for making data feel less like math and more like momentum. With deep expertise across student, conventional, affordable, military, and senior housing, Lia Nichole is a highly sought-after international speaker who delivers insights that challenge assumptions and spark action.
Shelly Steitz
Senior Consultant, Partner & Member Engagement, Cadence Marketing Solutions
Shelly Steitz
Senior Consultant, Partner & Member Engagement, Cadence Marketing SolutionsShelly is a multifamily marketing strategist with more than 15 years of experience connecting marketing strategy to what actually happens onsite. From new-construction lease-ups to stabilized portfolios, she helps teams turn big ideas into practical strategies, processes, and systems that drive leasing performance. Her expertise spans marketing strategy, leasing performance, consumer behavior, technology optimization, and reputation management. She is passionate about breaking down silos between marketing, leasing, and operations, helping teams use data more effectively, improve the prospect experience, and turn more leads into leases. A frequent industry speaker, Shelly is known for making complex topics approachable, practical, and immediately useful, giving audiences strategies they can take back to their teams and put to work.
Lauren Turner
Marketing Manager, The Bainbridge Companies
Lauren Turner
Marketing Manager, The Bainbridge CompaniesLauren Turner, a Marketing Manager with The Bainbridge Companies began her multifamily career over five years ago as a Leasing Specialist before transitioning into marketing. Drawing from her onsite experience, she leverages her expertise to shape and build strong brand identities, translate data into actionable insights, and lead marketing strategies that resonate across multiple regions. Lauren has successfully supported both market-rate and new development communities, helping to elevate brand presence and drive measurable results. A graduate of The University of Mississippi with a B.B.A. in Marketing and Corporate Strategy, she is passionate about fostering collaboration between marketing, operations, and other departments to ensure that every marketing effort aligns with business objectives and advances company goals.
Megan VanDerSnick
Senior Vice President of Client Success, Dyverse
Megan VanDerSnick
Senior Vice President of Client Success, DyverseMegan VanDerSnick is the Senior Vice President of Client Success at Dyverse, where she has spent a decade building client relationships that turn into real partnerships. With a background in Public Relations from the University of Florida, Megan has always understood that great communication is at the heart of great service, and that philosophy shapes how she leads. At Dyverse she owns the client experience, making sure every partner has the support, strategy and responsiveness they need to get the most out of their marketing programs. Ten years in the industry have given her a deep understanding of multifamily and an instinct for what clients need before they have to ask. She has also spent the last few years watching multifamily marketers fall in and out of love with AI tools, including a few of her own, which is how this session came to exist.
Bri Webster
Marketing Director, The Towbes Group
Bri Webster
Marketing Director, The Towbes Group
Karen Zapkowski
Marketing Strategist, Towne Properties
Karen Zapkowski
Marketing Strategist, Towne PropertiesWith nearly two decades of experience in multifamily housing and commercial real estate, Karen brings a deep understanding of property operations that shapes her marketing strategies. Her background in leasing, operations, and team leadership provides valuable insight into what drives occupancy, resident retention, and long-term property success. Karen takes a strategic, data-driven approach to the entire resident journey—from building brand awareness and generating qualified leads to increasing conversions and supporting resident satisfaction and renewals. Her experience spans lease-ups, stabilized communities, student housing, senior living, market-rate, affordable, and value-add properties. Her expertise includes PPC, SEO, website strategy, social media, reputation management, PropTech integration, automation, and marketing analytics. She enjoys using data, technology, and industry trends to identify opportunities, improve performance, and solve complex challenges. By combining operational knowledge with innovative marketing strategies, she helps create meaningful experiences for prospects and residents while driving measurable business results.