Armelle Kilpatrick’s Career Story
Director, Property Management – Colliers
This series features the professional journeys of a wide range of individuals across Canada’s real estate development industry. Often, these stories highlight how rewarding careers in real estate development are the result of following your interests, fostering personal and professional networks, and keeping an open mind about what a career in real estate development might be.
Meet Armelle Kilpatrick – Director, Property Management – Colliers.
How did you get started in your career?
Like many of us, really by accident. I was just finishing a role in community marketing for a residential group of towers in Calgary. I had been exposed to some leasing and condo management in this role. I started as a leasing agent at a residential community. While this role was not full-time, I quickly started looking for something full-time and was offered a role at a larger community with 330 residential apartments. I quickly realized this was an ideal role for me, and it transitioned to a management position, and over the next 5 years, I was promoted to General Manager for over 650 units, and I was hooked.
What inspired you to pursue this career path?
What kept me engaged and led to my over 30 years committed to the Property Management role was the diversity of the responsibilities and tasks. I need to be creative; I thrive in dynamic and fast-paced environments, and the opportunities I was exposed to were varied and challenging, and the career path was ideal for me.
What is one project or achievement you are most proud of?
I have had a great deal of fun working on the diverse issues that can be part of the role. I enjoy the property technology we see now as an integral part of how we manage in 2020 and beyond, having an opportunity to launch a tenant services APP initially for 660K square feet of A-class office and then expanding to a further 1.5 million square feet of B & C-class office space. I am very proud of the programs developed in amenitizing and engaging occupants.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the field?
Engage with the industry; there are fantastic mentorship programs through various industry association groups. Find a mentor to support your growth. Pursue a designation: a CPM or RPA will set you up for success in CRE.
Do you belong to any association groups, and if so, do you volunteer on a committee or board there?
I am a BOMA member and have volunteered on the Government Affairs Committee with BOMA. I will also be sitting on the Plus 15 board with the City of Calgary and other real estate owners and managers.
Want to curate your own career in real estate development? Connect with us to explore how our experiential, industry-connected programs can support your professional development at any career stage.