Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Mathis
Hi Leslie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Leslie Mathis entered the multifamily profession as a housekeeper while looking for an apartment in Mooresville, NC. She worked her way up from a very entry-level position, and today, she’s a consultant and asset manager. She wants to share her story because she has walked a mile in most of our shoes and hopes others can learn from her missteps, bloopers, wins, and accomplishments. Leslie’s proficiency in multifamily operations and management has positioned her as a sought-after professional in the industry.
Leslie is focused on asset management for Woodfield Development — one of the nation’s top 20 developers of Class A multifamily communities — overseeing a portfolio of 5,000 units throughout the southeast and mid-Atlantic. She is tasked with leading the portfolio’s operations and assisting the development team with the design and strategy of new projects. Leslie’s main focus is uniquely positioning each project from a branding and operational perspective for optimal performance, all focusing on creating additional value for the asset. In addition, she oversees the portfolio’s operations ensuring the firm’s third-party operators are meeting the strategically outlined goals for each asset.
Leslie has been involved in multifamily development for over 23 years, having worked her way through the ranks. Throughout her career trajectory, she has garnered extensive experience in diverse areas such as lease-ups, acquisitions, dispositions, re-development, large capital improvement projects, and distressed properties.
In addition, Leslie gives back to her community having served on the Board of Directors along with several committees within the Triangle Apartment Association, a non-profit trade association serving the multifamily rental housing industry in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding area. She also served on the board of directors for New Lease on Life, an organization designed to help those who are experiencing homelessness get back on their feet through stable housing in North Carolina’s Triangle area.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In general, women in the multifamily industry face numerous challenges such as establishing credibility, overcoming implicit biases, and building confidence in a male-dominated field. However, it’s up to us to face and overcome these challenges without losing our true essence.
For example, EmpowHER was created because Leslie witnessed a lack of women supporting other women, and felt the need to provide a safe place to discourage that type of behavior and model how things should look. Women are stronger together and that’s what she wants to encourage.
In addition, she wanted to fill in the gaps of what was missing in the multifamily industry. Hence why Leslie also created Streamline Multifamily Group, to help find solutions to win and succeed in this industry by increasing the value of assets, and training teams to grow and become strong operators. At Streamline, she works closely with a diverse range of partners across the multifamily industry to uncover the best possible solutions. In addition to her professional endeavors, Leslie actively engages in podcasting, training, and speaking events to share her insights into the industry. She’s a true multifamily pioneer dedicated to streamlining objectives, streamlining deliverables, and streamlining life.
Leslie didn’t have a seat at certain tables, but she created a table for herself and many others. There have been times she wanted to quit, but not being wired that way, can’t imagine doing anything else besides working in the multifamily industry that she is so passionate about.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Woodfield Development is a premier developer and operator of Class A multifamily communities. Amongst its peer group, the Woodfield partnership has unmatched experience in multifamily development and asset management. Since its founding in 2005, Woodfield has completed 65 communities, has 21 communities under construction, and numerous projects in various stages of entitlement and design. Woodfield’s earliest developments were located predominantly in the southeast and Mid-Atlantic, but the company has since expanded its footprint to include markets in the Northeast, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas.
From the first project to each thereafter, the singular goal is to deliver well-conceived, thoughtfully designed, market supported projects that hit each market’s sweet spot and create value for Woodfield’s investors and partners. Relying on local knowledge with experienced development partners, Woodfield sets the new high bar with each development it delivers. With a track record that stands above, Woodfield Development sets out to assemble the best team of designers, consultants, architects, general contractors, and capital sources – every development, every time. Read more at woodfielddevelopment.net.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Leslie is a dedicated advocate for women in leadership, using her expertise to help them excel. She supports their professional growth, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to thrive. Her commitment to advancing women’s leadership has made her a respected mentor and role model. To further empower women in the multifamily industry, Leslie created EmpowHER, a dynamic conference aimed at uplifting women leaders. She strongly believes that women are stronger together and it’s our job to bring other women along for the journey. That’s true EmpowHERment!
EmpowHER features curated speakers, engaging panels, and a supportive community to foster growth and inspire change. The event provides a transformative space for connection and collaboration, focusing on key topics like building confidence and overcoming self-doubt, while encouraging women to empower themselves and others.
Leslie and her EmpowHER team recently hosted their second EmpowHER Women’s Leadership Conference on Sept. 23-24 in Charleston, South Carolina. The response to EmpowHER has been nothing short of extraordinary, with over 180 attendees traveling from across the nation to partake in the leadership conference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://woodfielddevelopment.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowhermultifamily/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowhermultifamily
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/woodfield-development/
