Dive into multifamily trends, make new connections, and create thriving communities with a splash of magic from both inside and outside the industry!
Featuring four keynotes and seven panels over three days in San Diego, CA, our sold-out event drew in over 100 attendees from across the country. From the first dinner reception to fantastic sessions showcasing Silicon Valley thought leaders and some of the top minds in multifamily, to our tequila adventure on the sea, Summit delighted and invigorated us at each moment of the journey.
At Happy Summit 2025, we're gathering a select group of multifamily leaders and outside-the-industry experts to explore the latest conversations and thought leadership topics in the industry. And of course, we'll mix in networking, great meals, and time outdoors in beautiful La Jolla.
Join HappyCo under the sparkling Southern California sun at this luxury resort featuring elegant garden guest rooms and suites, a full-service spa, dreamy dining options, and world-class amenities.
You made it! HappyCo team members will greet you at the hotel, facilitate your Summit check-in, and make sure you're ready for the evening ahead.
Enjoy a welcome dinner in the hotel's elevated terrace with panoramic views of the Pacific ocean and village shops, and get a sneak peek at what's to come over the next two days.
Breakfast, Sunset Terrace
Conference Opener & Sessions 1-5
Lunch & Leisure
Sessions 6-8 & Cocktail Hour
Leisure Time
Dinner & Networking, Pacific Terrace
Prepare for a day full of insights, thoughtful discussion, and best practices with a delightfully warm welcome from our CEO.
Dispel the fears and embrace the benefits that AI will bring to multifamily operations, data connectivity, and asset health.
Learn strategies that help unlock your team's highest potential to reach the magical apex where desired outcomes and vibrant company culture connect.
As leaders, learn to position your teams for greatness by providing clear vision, accountability, and execution that everyone can celebrate, repeat, and learn from.
Avoid the misalignment and dysfunction that arise from the continuous change of modern organizations. Fix the gaps and overlaps so you can confidently plan your company's future.
Spearheading innovation in multifamily is often an uphill battle with ample resistance from onsite teams. It has become even more challenging today as cost-cutting is prioritized over new initiatives. In this session, learn how these trailblazers drive innovation, successfully navigating internal hurdles.
Enhance renter satisfaction while simultaneously reducing operational expenses with smart tours and smart access systems. Real-world success stories illustrate the benefits of implementing these solutions. Join us for a journey into the future of rental management, where innovation meets efficiency.
This session will explore how two multifamily operators run a centralization model to streamline their operations, improve efficiency across their teams, and maximize their NOI.
Join us for cocktail hour with a speciality drink and passed hors d'oeuvres, and gear up for the last session with a bit of libation! — you don't want to miss it!
Get an insider's look at the software and service solutions we've got on deck for 2024 and beyond.
Breakfast, Sunset Terrace
Conference Sessions 9-11
Closing Remarks
Lunch, Sunset Terrace
Sippin' by the Seashore: A Tequila Adventure
What are the benefits of the new centralized operating model for owners, operators, their customers, and their teams? Find out specific strategies and tactics employed on the path to centralization.
What does maintenance centralization even mean? While the answer is relatively simple, the application is more nuanced than you may think. This facilitated panel discussion will dig into the details.
This panel will explore how emerging trends and tech will unlock the role of data in real estate valuations, asset management, and operations. Ready your company for the next horizon.
Say farewell to Happy Summit in style! This event will be held at the Pacific Coast Grill, nestled right on the beach. Prepare your taste buds for elevated coastal cuisine and curated tequila tastings led by our expert guides. With the ocean as our backdrop, let's toast to unforgettable moments and friendships made, as we conclude a wonderful time together.
Alessandra Ghini, Partner at GO Strategy Partners, has over 25 years of marketing experience with an emphasis on brand strategy, marketing communications, program development, and product marketing. Notably, she helped roll out the iPod mini and iTunes Music Store while at Apple, helped Starbucks reposition their brand identity for their 40th anniversary, and helped Vans achieve a record-breaking 50th-anniversary campaign.
Andre Sanchez is the COO at Rently, an innovator of self-guided tours and smart home technology in the rental space. Previously, Andre worked as a cancer researcher. After working at Apple and experiencing the pain of renting an apartment, he understood the value of leasing automation. Andre graduated from UCSB with a BS in Pharmacology and an MBA from UMass Boston. His hobbies include retro-gaming and gardening at his home in Ventura with his wife and three kids.
Ben Nowacky is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at HappyCo and leads the product development and engineering teams across North America and Australia. In this role, Ben is responsible for executing the company’s overall product strategy while ensuring business continuity and data security. He leads with a customer-first methodology and promotes alignment between the product, engineering, and go-to-market teams. Prior to joining HappyCo in 2022, Ben was the Chief Product and Security Officer at Axcient and brings more than 20 years of product and technology experience to his role.
Bhavnesh Jaraim serves as the CIO and VP of IT at Boardwalk REIT. In his position, he blends his passion for technology with a commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and exceptional customer service. He has navigated the challenges of modernizing legacy systems, along with transforming the IT department to address key risks and promote best practices. His passion for property technology is at the heart of his mission to enhance the technology landscape, creating impactful improvements for both operators and solution providers.
Charlotte is the CEO and Cofounder at Wreno, a comprehensive platform built for the real estate industry, specializing in intelligent job estimating, bidding, vetted vendor procurement, and worker scheduling. With a decade of experience in developing and promoting real estate technology, Charlotte previously led Technical Product Strategy and Voice Experience Design at Critical Mass, an award-winning digital agency. Prior to Wreno, Charlotte led seller-centric AI evaluation products at Zillow. Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Science from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Dustin has built Mark-Taylor’s marketing structure from the ground up, hiring a talented team and creating a specialized and data-driven Marketing strategy. In his five-year tenure, he has expanded his oversight to include marketing, communications, IT, strategic projects, and the Integrated Operations Network (ION) for the organization’s entire centralized portfolio.
Greg Demski is an experienced sales and business development leader with a proven track record of growing and revitalizing markets by focusing on customer needs and market opportunities. He has served as the Chief Sales Officer at ResMan for over 7 years and has previously served in sales leadership roles at RealPage and Rent. Greg has nearly three decades of experience within the multifamily industry.
Heidi Turner is a Principal and Cofounder at Blanton Turner, where she leads residential property operations and drives company culture. As a Principal, Heidi inspires her team, partners, and clients to challenge assumptions and fight the status quo. She is passionate about mentoring people to achieve their highest goals while creating exceptional experiences. Prior to joining Blanton Turner, Heidi worked as a real estate executive for Lorig, a revered Seattle development company, where she led residential portfolio operations. Her career has generated countless returns in mixed-use multifamily and student housing investments.
Jindou Lee is the CEO and Cofounder of HappyCo, a multifamily proptech company that builds software and services to enable real-time property operation sand asset management. Prior to his current role, Jindou also founded and exited two previous tech companies. Jindou graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Visual Communications and subsequently worked for Midway Games where he led the User Interface team to work on classic titles such as Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet, and Dukes of Hazzard.
John Barr is a seasoned Portfolio Director at The Dinerstein Companies, a prominent nationwide developer, owner, and operator of Class A conventional and student housing communities. With a rich decade-long background, he has honed his expertise working with industry leaders, cultivating a deep passion for leasing and marketing. A graduate of Central Washington University, John holds a degree in Secondary English Teaching, showcasing a unique blend of education and business acumen in the dynamic field of student housing.
An industry veteran of over a dozen years, Kyle has successfully helped grow startup companies and worked for some of the world’s largest financial institutions serving the rental housing market. Prior to joining Snappt as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Head of Innovation, he held senior roles at Gartner, Experian, TransUnion, and PayLease (now Zego). Kyle holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Florida.
With over a decade of experience in multifamily operations, administration, and program development, Mariana now leads strategic planning, project management, ancillary services, and centralized services at RPM Living. Driven by a focus on leveraging technology to drive organizational performance, Mariana directs strategic programs that enhance the value of our clients' assets and RPM’s management services. Mariana holds a master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and received her CPM designation in 2015.
Mel, who has worked in the real estate industry since 1990, oversees business intelligence projects, key performance indicators, cross-functional initiatives, and strategies to streamline workloads and create efficiencies. Additionally, she leads all aspects of Avenue5’s policies and practices program. Prior to joining Avenue5, Mel served as Chief Performance Officer at Riverstone Residential Group, where she oversaw corporate and community analytics, property transitions, and customer satisfaction initiatives for clients, residents, and associates. She also held roles at CAS Partners as well as several UK third-party real estate firms.
Mylisa is the Chief Executive Officer at Anchor NW Property Group and is credited with developing the first fully centralized solution in multifamily management. Mylisa is a founding member of Anchor NW Property group, and over the past 14 years she has performed almost every role within the company. Her willingness to dive in and get her hands dirty in every facet of the business provides a strong foundation for her outstanding leadership. She currently leads a company of over 50 employees that manages 32 properties. In addition, she is actively involved in the construction of four new multifamily properties.
Pam is the Director, Ops Support at Bell Partners. Her passion for cultivating relationships with those she works with has led to continued success and growth at Bell. In a multifaceted role since 2016, she oversees a team transitioning assets, supporting operations initiatives, and partnering with key stakeholders to implement new technologies. In 2023, Pam led a Rently self-guided tours pilot group and saw an overall self-guided tour adoption increase by 42%. Based on the success of the pilot, she led a broader implementation of Rently across the Bell portfolio.
Dr. Paul Pallath, a distinguished leader with over three decades in digital, data, and AI, heads the Applied AI practice at Searce, driving real outcomes for businesses. With experience in startups to Fortune 500 companies, Paul is a thought leader in AI, holding patents and publishing in top journals. His leadership at Searce is renowned for cutting-edge solutions, reflecting over 25 years of expertise in impactful digital transformation for MNCs and startups.
Raymond Mikulich, Chairman of Altus Group Ltd (AIF.TO), brings over 35 years of international real estate finance, investment, and management experience. Formerly with Apollo Global Real Estate and Lehman Brothers, he played pivotal roles in real estate investment banking, M&A, and capital markets development. Mikulich drives Altus Group as a market leader in software, data, analytics, and services for Commercial Real Estate investment markets.
Sherry Freitas was most recently the Executive Managing Director of Property Management for RangeWater Real Estate, overseeing the operational performance of the firm with a focus on business intelligence, strategic growth and operational scaling. She is currently working in an advisory role and discovering new opportunities in the multifamily industry. With over 20 years of multifamily experience, Sherry is a strategic leader and change initiator and over the course of her career, she has overseen nearly 100,000 units. Sherry has extensive experience in high density U.S. markets, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific with emphasis on age-restricted developments and corporate/short stay partnerships.
Suzanne Hopson, a 20-year veteran in multifamily, is the Founder of Here2Elevate, a fractional executive firm aiding businesses in scaling and thriving. As a Vistage Chair and CEO Executive Coach, Suzanne inspires diverse leaders with expertise in leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational scaling. Specializing in NAA training, she motivates through vision, alignment, and people-centric success. Former President of a Midwest multifamily firm, Suzanne is happiest guiding leaders and teams towards professional and personal fulfillment.
Tim Brewer is the CEO and Cofounder of Functionly.com, an organizational design software company that empowers leaders to refine company structures amid growth. His platform addresses the turbulence of rapid scaling, aligning teams and plans quickly. Previously collaborating with IT and SaaS leaders at Dropbox, ConnectWise, and Anittel, Tim also serves as an angel investor and chairs JMARK's board of directors. A co-host of "The Org Design Podcast," Tim, with his distinctive Aussie style, shares practical insights gleaned from his journey.
Tim's leadership role at HelloData involves developing AI and computer vision-based products and overseeing the data engineering team. Previously, as the first employee at Enodo, he created software to combine disparate datasets for data science applications. His contribution paved the way for Enodo's acquisition by Walker & Dunlop, where he subsequently held the position of Vice President of Data Engineering. Equipped with deep knowledge in real estate data analysis, extraction, and application, Tim believes in the power of data and AI to enable company success. His dedication saw him recognized in Chicago Inno's 25 under 25.
Tyler brings over a decade of multifamily experience to Funnel, including six years running the national sales organization for one of the top three property management software companies. He is focused on disrupting antiquated practices that don’t make sense, and waste money or time. He believes tech should bring out the best in your business, your team, and for your customers, which is why Funnel’s Renter Management Software flips the status quo, multifamily business model on its head. Tyler is a graduate of BYU and lives in Tampa with his family.
Alessandra Ghini, Partner at GO Strategy Partners, has over 25 years of marketing experience with an emphasis on brand strategy, marketing communications, program development, and product marketing. Notably, she helped roll out the iPod mini and iTunes Music Store while at Apple, helped Starbucks reposition their brand identity for their 40th anniversary, and helped Vans achieve a record-breaking 50th-anniversary campaign.
Andre Sanchez is the COO at Rently, an innovator of self-guided tours and smart home technology in the rental space. Previously, Andre worked as a cancer researcher. After working at Apple and experiencing the pain of renting an apartment, he understood the value of leasing automation. Andre graduated from UCSB with a BS in Pharmacology and an MBA from UMass Boston. His hobbies include retro-gaming and gardening at his home in Ventura with his wife and three kids.
Ben Nowacky is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at HappyCo and leads the product development and engineering teams across North America and Australia. In this role, Ben is responsible for executing the company’s overall product strategy while ensuring business continuity and data security. He leads with a customer-first methodology and promotes alignment between the product, engineering, and go-to-market teams. Prior to joining HappyCo in 2022, Ben was the Chief Product and Security Officer at Axcient and brings more than 20 years of product and technology experience to his role.
Bhavnesh Jaraim serves as the CIO and VP of IT at Boardwalk REIT. In his position, he blends his passion for technology with a commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and exceptional customer service. He has navigated the challenges of modernizing legacy systems, along with transforming the IT department to address key risks and promote best practices. His passion for property technology is at the heart of his mission to enhance the technology landscape, creating impactful improvements for both operators and solution providers.
Charlotte is the CEO and Cofounder at Wreno, a comprehensive platform built for the real estate industry, specializing in intelligent job estimating, bidding, vetted vendor procurement, and worker scheduling. With a decade of experience in developing and promoting real estate technology, Charlotte previously led Technical Product Strategy and Voice Experience Design at Critical Mass, an award-winning digital agency. Prior to Wreno, Charlotte led seller-centric AI evaluation products at Zillow. Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Science from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Dustin has built Mark-Taylor’s marketing structure from the ground up, hiring a talented team and creating a specialized and data-driven Marketing strategy. In his five-year tenure, he has expanded his oversight to include marketing, communications, IT, strategic projects, and the Integrated Operations Network (ION) for the organization’s entire centralized portfolio.
Greg Demski is an experienced sales and business development leader with a proven track record of growing and revitalizing markets by focusing on customer needs and market opportunities. He has served as the Chief Sales Officer at ResMan for over 7 years and has previously served in sales leadership roles at RealPage and Rent. Greg has nearly three decades of experience within the multifamily industry.
Heidi Turner is a Principal and Cofounder at Blanton Turner, where she leads residential property operations and drives company culture. As a Principal, Heidi inspires her team, partners, and clients to challenge assumptions and fight the status quo. She is passionate about mentoring people to achieve their highest goals while creating exceptional experiences. Prior to joining Blanton Turner, Heidi worked as a real estate executive for Lorig, a revered Seattle development company, where she led residential portfolio operations. Her career has generated countless returns in mixed-use multifamily and student housing investments.
Jindou Lee is the CEO and Cofounder of HappyCo, a multifamily proptech company that builds software and services to enable real-time property operation sand asset management. Prior to his current role, Jindou also founded and exited two previous tech companies. Jindou graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Visual Communications and subsequently worked for Midway Games where he led the User Interface team to work on classic titles such as Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet, and Dukes of Hazzard.
John Barr is a seasoned Portfolio Director at The Dinerstein Companies, a prominent nationwide developer, owner, and operator of Class A conventional and student housing communities. With a rich decade-long background, he has honed his expertise working with industry leaders, cultivating a deep passion for leasing and marketing. A graduate of Central Washington University, John holds a degree in Secondary English Teaching, showcasing a unique blend of education and business acumen in the dynamic field of student housing.
An industry veteran of over a dozen years, Kyle has successfully helped grow startup companies and worked for some of the world’s largest financial institutions serving the rental housing market. Prior to joining Snappt as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Head of Innovation, he held senior roles at Gartner, Experian, TransUnion, and PayLease (now Zego). Kyle holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Florida.
With over a decade of experience in multifamily operations, administration, and program development, Mariana now leads strategic planning, project management, ancillary services, and centralized services at RPM Living. Driven by a focus on leveraging technology to drive organizational performance, Mariana directs strategic programs that enhance the value of our clients' assets and RPM’s management services. Mariana holds a master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and received her CPM designation in 2015.
Mel, who has worked in the real estate industry since 1990, oversees business intelligence projects, key performance indicators, cross-functional initiatives, and strategies to streamline workloads and create efficiencies. Additionally, she leads all aspects of Avenue5’s policies and practices program. Prior to joining Avenue5, Mel served as Chief Performance Officer at Riverstone Residential Group, where she oversaw corporate and community analytics, property transitions, and customer satisfaction initiatives for clients, residents, and associates. She also held roles at CAS Partners as well as several UK third-party real estate firms.
Mylisa is the Chief Executive Officer at Anchor NW Property Group and is credited with developing the first fully centralized solution in multifamily management. Mylisa is a founding member of Anchor NW Property group, and over the past 14 years she has performed almost every role within the company. Her willingness to dive in and get her hands dirty in every facet of the business provides a strong foundation for her outstanding leadership. She currently leads a company of over 50 employees that manages 32 properties. In addition, she is actively involved in the construction of four new multifamily properties.
Pam is the Director, Ops Support at Bell Partners. Her passion for cultivating relationships with those she works with has led to continued success and growth at Bell. In a multifaceted role since 2016, she oversees a team transitioning assets, supporting operations initiatives, and partnering with key stakeholders to implement new technologies. In 2023, Pam led a Rently self-guided tours pilot group and saw an overall self-guided tour adoption increase by 42%. Based on the success of the pilot, she led a broader implementation of Rently across the Bell portfolio.
Dr. Paul Pallath, a distinguished leader with over three decades in digital, data, and AI, heads the Applied AI practice at Searce, driving real outcomes for businesses. With experience in startups to Fortune 500 companies, Paul is a thought leader in AI, holding patents and publishing in top journals. His leadership at Searce is renowned for cutting-edge solutions, reflecting over 25 years of expertise in impactful digital transformation for MNCs and startups.
Raymond Mikulich, Chairman of Altus Group Ltd (AIF.TO), brings over 35 years of international real estate finance, investment, and management experience. Formerly with Apollo Global Real Estate and Lehman Brothers, he played pivotal roles in real estate investment banking, M&A, and capital markets development. Mikulich drives Altus Group as a market leader in software, data, analytics, and services for Commercial Real Estate investment markets.
Sherry Freitas was most recently the Executive Managing Director of Property Management for RangeWater Real Estate, overseeing the operational performance of the firm with a focus on business intelligence, strategic growth and operational scaling. She is currently working in an advisory role and discovering new opportunities in the multifamily industry. With over 20 years of multifamily experience, Sherry is a strategic leader and change initiator and over the course of her career, she has overseen nearly 100,000 units. Sherry has extensive experience in high density U.S. markets, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific with emphasis on age-restricted developments and corporate/short stay partnerships.
Suzanne Hopson, a 20-year veteran in multifamily, is the Founder of Here2Elevate, a fractional executive firm aiding businesses in scaling and thriving. As a Vistage Chair and CEO Executive Coach, Suzanne inspires diverse leaders with expertise in leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational scaling. Specializing in NAA training, she motivates through vision, alignment, and people-centric success. Former President of a Midwest multifamily firm, Suzanne is happiest guiding leaders and teams towards professional and personal fulfillment.
Tim Brewer is the CEO and Cofounder of Functionly.com, an organizational design software company that empowers leaders to refine company structures amid growth. His platform addresses the turbulence of rapid scaling, aligning teams and plans quickly. Previously collaborating with IT and SaaS leaders at Dropbox, ConnectWise, and Anittel, Tim also serves as an angel investor and chairs JMARK's board of directors. A co-host of "The Org Design Podcast," Tim, with his distinctive Aussie style, shares practical insights gleaned from his journey.
Tim's leadership role at HelloData involves developing AI and computer vision-based products and overseeing the data science and engineering teams. Previously, as the first employee at Enodo, he created software to amalgamate disparate datasets for data science applications. His contribution paved the way for Enodo's acquisition by Walker & Dunlop, where he subsequently held the position of Vice President of Data Engineering. Equipped with deep knowledge in real estate data analysis, extraction, and application, Tim believes in the power of data and AI to enable company success. His dedication saw him recognized in Chicago Inno's 25 under 25.
Tyler brings over a decade of multifamily experience to Funnel, including six years running the national sales organization for one of the top three property management software companies. He is focused on disrupting antiquated practices that don’t make sense, and waste money or time. He believes tech should bring out the best in your business, your team and for your customers, which is why Funnel’s Renter Management Software flips the status quo multifamily business model on its head. Tyler is a graduate of BYU, and lives in Tampa with his family.
There's no better way to complement the start of the new year. At Happy Summit, you'll develop connections with fellow industry experts, swap ideas on how to make your communities thrive, and, of course, soak up the Southern California sun. It's time to pack your bags!
Get in touch with us – email us at email marketing@happy.co to start a conversation on a sponsorship partnership.
After a brief hiatus, Summit 2024 reignited the energy, bringing together innovators to explore centralization, technology, and community-building. Reflecting on our first Happy Summit in Napa Valley in 2018, where we delved into the resident experience, it's clear that the spirit of innovation and connection has only grown stronger.