Emerging Leader Alumni Take Apartmentalize by Storm
The 2026 National Apartment Association’s Apartmentalize Conference was held June 14-19 in New Orleans. Humidity, rain and high winds added to the excitement of another great conference. In between eating beignets and southern comfort food, attendees were treated to high-level educational sessions, an exhibition floor with over 600 suppliers and inspiring key-note speakers, Nicole Kidman and Daymond John, Founder/CEO of FUBU & star of The Shark Tank.
WMFHA was proud to have 5 Emerging Leader Alumni in attendance at the event:
Saniya Regmi, GRE Management, Class of 2024
Sarah Fassett, AMC, Class of 2024 – Sarah was a member of NAA’s 2025 Diversity Leadership Program. She along with 2 others from her class were recognized for their capstone project and were able to present in front of the NAA Board of Directors.
Trey Ascencio, Greystar, Class of 2024 – Recognized at this year’s conference as a member of NAA’s Diversity Leadership Program.
Chelsy Parrish, Pillar Properties, Class of 2025
Valeria Miller, Greystar, Class of 2025 – Recognized at this year’s conference as a member of NAA’s 20 on the Rise.
They each took so much away from the week and they shared a bit about their experiences below:
Saniya:
What was the highlight of your week?
Hands down, the people. It was awesome reconnecting with Trey from the Emerging Leaders Alumni and meeting so many people who genuinely love this industry. I came home with a ton of ideas and felt re-energized.
What were some of the takeaways from the sessions you attended?
AI was a huge topic, but the biggest takeaway for me was that human experience still matter most. I also picked up some great ideas around leadership and creating better experiences for both residents and employees using AI as a supplemental tool and not replacing FTE.
Did you make connections with any new suppliers that you might use in the future?
Yes! I met several vendors that could be great resources for training, AI, and resident engagement. It was also really cool hearing what other management companies are doing and swapping ideas.
Do you feel that going through the Emerging Leaders Program at WMFHA gave you more confidence to get involved at NAA?
Absolutely. Emerging Leaders pushed me out of my comfort zone and made networking feel way less intimidating. I walked into NAA feeling like I belonged instead of wondering if I should be there. I joined NAA committees and trainings because of the Emerging Leaders program.
Chelsey:
What was the highlight of your week?
Choosing just one highlight is difficult because there were so many memorable moments throughout the week. As valuable as the classes were, my favorite part of the week was the time spent with colleagues outside of them. Sharing meals after a full day of learning, talking through new ideas, and getting to know team members I don't often work with were some of the most meaningful moments of the conference. Those conversations reminded me that one of the greatest resources in our industry is each other.
...And if I'm being completely honest, getting a photo in Alligator Alley is probably right up there on my highlight list too!
What were some of the takeaways from the sessions you attended?
I intentionally focused my schedule on leadership sessions this year, and one theme consistently stood out: leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about creating opportunities for others to grow. Several speakers talked about shifting from solving every problem yourself to coaching your team to develop their own solutions. That perspective really resonated with me. It's easy as a manager to step in and take over, but long term success comes from building confidence in others and giving them opportunities to lead in meaningful ways.
One takeaway I'm excited to bring back is finding more intentional ways for my team to take ownership of small leadership moments. Whether that's leading a team meeting, taking ownership of a resident event, mentoring a new team member, or presenting an idea for improving one of our processes, those experiences help people build confidence and prepare them for larger leadership opportunities down the road. As someone who has benefited from leadership opportunities through WMFHA, it reminded me how impactful it can be when someone trusts you with a little more responsibility before you think you're ready.
Another lesson that stuck with me was that consistency builds trust. The strongest leaders aren't defined by one big moment, they're defined by the small actions they take every day. Being clear with expectations, following through on commitments, and investing in your team consistently creates a culture where people feel supported and empowered to succeed.
Did you make connections with any new suppliers that you might use in the future?
I had some great conversations with Cosign and The Guarantors, both of which are working to reduce barriers to housing by providing alternatives that can help qualified applicants access homes when traditional screening requirements might otherwise prevent them from doing so. It was encouraging to learn more about solutions that expand housing opportunities while still helping communities manage risk responsibly.
Another organization that stood out was Move For Hunger. As a nonprofit partner, they make it easy for apartment communities to help residents donate unopened, nonperishable food items during the moving process rather than throwing them away. It's a simple idea that creates a meaningful impact by reducing waste and supporting local food banks, and I love seeing our industry embrace opportunities to give back in practical ways.
Do you feel that going through the Emerging Leaders Program at WMFHA gave you more confidence to get involved at NAA?
Absolutely. The WMFHA Emerging Leaders Program played a significant role in giving me the confidence to become more involved in our industry. It has been an incredible honor to be part of the program and now to be able to call myself an Emerging Leaders alumna. The program challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. Whether it was presenting in front of peers, collaborating with industry professionals from different companies, or building meaningful connections through networking, each experience helped me grow as both a leader and a professional.
By the time I attended Apartmentalize this year, I felt much more confident introducing myself to new people, asking questions, engaging with speakers, and making the most of every opportunity the conference had to offer. The Emerging Leaders Program didn't just prepare me for one conference. It gave me the confidence to continue showing up, getting involved, and investing in both my own growth and the future of our industry.
Trey:
What was the highlight of your week?
Without a doubt, the highlight of my week was finally meeting my Diversity Leadership Program cohort in person. After connecting virtually, it was incredible to spend time together, learn from one another, and strengthen those relationships. Another standout moment was attending Mindy Price's leadership session. Her training challenged me to think differently about leadership, influence, and the impact we can have on others. It was also incredibly inspiring to watch Marchi French receive the NAA Excellence Award for Apartment Career & Education Industry Practitioner of the Year—a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to our industry.
Outside of the conference, one of my favorite experiences was visiting one of New Orleans' historic bars where guests throw napkins into the air. At first, it seemed like a fun local tradition, but learning the history behind it made the experience even more meaningful. Legend has it that during a time when gay bars were illegal, patrons would throw napkins into the air to quietly alert others when a stranger or police officer entered the establishment. What began as a way to protect one another has evolved into a celebration of resilience, community, and LGBTQ+ history. It was a powerful reminder that even the smallest traditions can carry significant meaning and reflect the rich culture and history of a place.
What were some of the takeaways from the sessions you attended?
My biggest takeaway was that the best leaders never stop learning. I attended sessions on leadership, AI, operations, resident experience, and talent development, and each one gave me something I can bring back to my team. I walked away with practical ideas, but more importantly, a renewed excitement for finding better ways to support our teams and create an even better experience for our residents.
Did you make connections with any new suppliers that you might use in the future?
Absolutely. One of my goals was to spend time with suppliers and learn about new products and services that could make a real difference at our communities. I had some great conversations and found a few solutions that I think could help improve operations and the resident experience. Apartmentalize is one of the few places where you can have those conversations all in one week.
Do you feel that going through the Emerging Leaders Program at WMFHA gave you more confidence to get involved at NAA?
Without a doubt. The Emerging Leaders Program pushed me outside of my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to network, ask questions, and really engage throughout the conference. Instead of feeling intimidated, I felt like I belonged. It also showed me how valuable it is to get involved beyond the local level and continue building relationships across the industry.
Any other thoughts or comments that you have about the conference that you would like to share?
Apartmentalize reminded me why I love this industry. Yes, the education was incredible, but it was the people that made the biggest impact. Between reconnecting with friends, meeting my Diversity Leadership Program cohort in person, and building new relationships, I left feeling inspired and motivated. I'm grateful to Greystar and WMFHA for investing in my growth, and I'm excited to bring what I learned back to my team and continue giving back to an industry that has given me so much.