The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business are excited to honor Michele Clemen of Everleigh by Greystar a 2024 Gottfried Woman of the Quarter.
Michele Clemen
Gottfried Woman of the Quarter Q&A
Q: Describe your business and what you do.
My role as Real Estate Associate at Greystar on the Active Adult Platform is to support and execute the strategies and programs that drive the performances of the communities in my portfolio. I currently oversee three communities; Everleigh Naperville, Outlook Hamilton (Noblesville, IN) and GrandView (Westfield, IN). Greystar is the largest property management company worldwide with conventional, student, and active adult apartments.
Q: What do you love most about your work?
The Active Adult platform is unique in that we have the opportunity to truly get to know the residents we serve. We offer a full lifestyle program that allows them our residents to form new and meaningful relationships and explore hobbies and activities they may not have tried before. We focus on simplifying life while providing a balance of programs for the mind, body and spirit in a luxury apartment home setting.
Q: What led you down your career path?
It is by complete accident that I ended up in senior housing. I had graduated from college and had not secured a job yet, I went to visit a former dance instructor and another student’s father was raving about how much he enjoyed working for his company, a senior living company, and I asked if they were hiring. A few weeks later I had an interview, and the job shortly thereafter. About a year and a half into that position, I had the opportunity to move to Naperville with that company to open Monarch Landing.
Q: What advice do you have for other women in business?
Rejection and hearing no doesn’t mean it’s the end, it just means not right now, or not in this way. Keep asking, keep trying and surround yourself with great people who will support you and encourage you to keep going.
Q: Name someone in your life who inspires you and tell us why.
There are so many people that inspire me, famous and not, many I have met through the Chamber and many are women who have served or are serving on the Women in Business committee. Heather Gottfried, for whom this award is named for is an inspiration, she worked hard and gave back to the community that she loved, and I think that is something we should all strive to do.
Q: What other passions and hobbies do you have?
I am passionate about serving the community, specifically those that have served, which is why I am involved with Naperville Responds for Veterans. This is a completely volunteer based organization and 98% of the funds raised go directly to the mission of making critical home repairs for veterans in need. Not only are we helping with the physical needs of their home, we are often able to connect these men and women with other services that help to improve their quality of life and access benefits they had not been receiving.
Q: Aside from the Chamber, how do you stay connected within the Naperville community?
Outside of the chamber, I am involved in a lot of volunteering and spending time with friends and family in and around the community.
Gottfried Woman of the Quarter Bio
Michele Clemen is a seasoned professional, with over 20 years of experience in community management. She joined the Greystar Active Adult Platform in 2021 as a Community Manager and played a pivotal role in achieving and maintaining stabilized occupancy, positive client relations, and outstanding resident experiences. Her professional contributions have been recognized with Greystar Pillar Awards for Community and Profitability. Furthermore, she recently received the inaugural Greystar Luminary Award for Active Adult Community Manager of the Year, highlighting her exceptional achievements and leadership on the platform.
Michele finds joy in giving back to her community and currently serves on the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as well as the Board of Directors for Naperville Responds for Veterans, an organization that makes critical home repairs for veterans in need.
Michele received her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University and has her MBA from North Central College. Michele, her husband, Adam, and their dog, Ivy, live in Cress Creek.
Michele Clemen
Real Estate Associate
Connect with Michele at: michele.clemen@greystar.com