PERSPECTIVES
BY TAMERA GREENE, AAMD 2026-2027 PRESIDENT
Leading with Traction: The INSPIRE Journey
Like a horseshoe that provides strength, support, and stability, AAMD will empower members to grow, lead, and thrive as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Twenty-eight years ago, I entered this industry under circumstances I never could imagined. After my divorce, I was a single mother to a three-year-old son. Within weeks, I had lost my home, my car had been repossessed, and I was unemployed.
While searching for an apartment, I toured a community where an overwhelmed employee was trying to do everything on her own. I asked her if she needed help, and instead of applying for an apartment, I applied for a job. Not only did I get a job, I was handed the keys on my first day and old I was the manager. The entire team had walked off, and I had no experience or training. But I had a little boy depending on me.
That day, I made a decision to bet on myself. I chose to stop letting circumstances define my future, to keep learning and growing, and to believe that my challenges would not determine what was possible for my life. The journey was not easy. There were setbacks, disappointments and moments when quitting would have been easier.
But I stayed the course.
Along the way, I had the privilege of hiring, training, mentoring, and developing countless professionals whose success stories have become part of my own. Their growth became my purpose and their victories became my victories.
Today, I am reminded that success is rarely about where you start. It is about the courage to take the next step, especially when the path ahead is uncertain. I stand on the shoulders of many people who have guided and challenged me. Though some may never realize the impact they had on my journey, I am grateful to each of them.
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT TAMERA GREENE ON PAGE 24
I’ m honored to introduce a theme for this year utilizing a familiar symbol to INSPIRE us to provide the traction for success. A horseshoe represents strength, protection, and good fortune. More importantly, it provides traction. It gives a horse the support needed to travel farther, overcome obstacles, and perform at its highest potential. Leadership should be inspired to do the same.
That is why our work this year will be guided by the acronym INSPIRE:
• I – Inspire: Just as a horseshoe enables forward movement, we will lead by example and inspire future leaders to contribute, serve, and grow.
• N – Nurture: Strong horseshoes begin with a strong foundation. We will strengthen relationships with suppliers, ownership groups, affiliates, and legislators to ensure our industry remains connected and resilient.
• S – Strengthen: A horseshoe provides stability and support. We will build deeper connections among members and committees to develop a strong leadership pipeline for the future.
• P – Prepare: Horses are shod before the journey begins, not after challenges arise. We will proactively address economic and legislative issues to remain ready for whatever lies ahead.
• I – Increase: Growth expands our influence. We will increase membership, engagement, and participation among onsite teams, suppliers, and event attendees so that more voices are represented in our mission.
• R – Renew: Horseshoes must be replaced to remain effective. Likewise, we will embrace fresh perspectives, foster belonging, and encourage new ideas that strengthen our association.
• E – Evolve: The best leaders adapt to changing conditions. Together, we will continue positioning AAMD as a national leader in excellence, innovation, and industry impact.
Like a horseshoe, AAMD ' s role is to provide the support, protection, and traction our members need to move forward with confidence. Through INSPIRE, we will strengthen relationships, develop future leaders, prepare for challenges, and create opportunities for growth.
Together, we will ensure that AAMD not only keeps pace with change, we will lead the way.
Tamera Greene is Vice President of Community Management-West Region, at Thompson Thrift Development, Inc.
4 | TRENDS JULY 2026 www. aamdhq. org