SNAPSHOTS
PROFILE
Sergio Aguilera, Community Manager, Greystar Real Estate Partners
How Did You First Get Started In Property Management?
I started in property management in Austin, Texas, in 2013 after a friend encouraged me to give leasing a try. I was immediately drawn to the fast pace, the opportunity to meet new people, and the relationship-building aspect of the business. I’ ve loved the industry ever since. In 2018, I moved to Denver and have since taken on five luxury lease-ups, each of which has continued to challenge me, grow me as a leader, and deepen my passion for creating exceptional communities and strong teams.
How Has This Career Shaped You As A Person?
This career has shaped me both professionally and personally. Working my way up in the industry has taught me discipline, structure, communication, and how to prioritize in fast-paced environments. It has also helped me discover how passionate I am about managing high-end assets and, even more importantly, developing people. One of the most rewarding parts of what I do is seeing someone grow in confidence, take on new challenges, and go on to accomplish great things.
Who Has Been A Mentor Or Major Influence In Your Career?
This is a loaded question because I’ ve been fortunate to have so many people invest in my growth and believe in me along the way. Jennifer Earnshaw in Austin gave me my first lease-up opportunity and really helped shape how I view leadership, ownership expectations, and the importance of operating with purpose. Since then, I’ ve had incredible mentors throughout Greystar, and I’ ve taken something valuable from each leader and every asset I’ ve worked on. Today, I’ m especially grateful for my regional, Jacquelyn Hammond, who has been an
incredible mentor and support system. Her passion for the industry, willingness to step in, and commitment to developing others continues to inspire me and reminds me how important great leadership really is.
What’ s One Misconception You ' d Like to Clear Up About Property Management?
One misconception about property management is that we are expected to be miracle workers. The reality is that we are balancing the needs of residents, our teams, and ownership while managing a business and protecting the asset. What makes someone successful in this industry is being present, communicating clearly, staying positive, and leading by example. I would never ask my team to do something I am not willing to do myself.
We work with people from all walks of life, and that is what makes this career so rewarding. We may not be able to please everyone, but we can control how we show up, how transparent we are, and how we guide people through challenges. At the end of the day, property management is a people business, and strong leadership starts with listening, supporting others, and being willing to step in wherever you are needed.
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self When You Were First Starting Out?
The advice I would give my younger self is to enjoy the journey and learn from every person and experience along the way. This career is not always easy, and you will never know everything, so give yourself grace, stay curious, and keep learning. Work hard, lead with positivity, and try to make a difference in someone’ s experience every day. There will be challenges and unexpected turns, but each one will help you grow and prepare you for the next opportunity. Success takes time, but if you stay focused, go above expectations, and genuinely enjoy what you do, you’ ll build a career you can be proud of.
If you have an interesting career story and would like to be considered for a future profile, email trends @ aamdhq. org
www. aamdhq. org TRENDS SEPTEMBER 2026 | 13