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Tell us about yourself – what do you like to do? Where do you live? What's your career path been?

I am a self-professed bookworm and lover of the written word; reading and learning are my passion. Although I am an introvert at heart, my family means everything to me. There is nothing better than to be lost in a book and suddenly find your family gravitating to the room you are in. It always makes me laugh to look up from a chapter and find myself surrounded by a dog, a cat, 2 children, and a husband. I am blessed beyond belief and would not change a thing. We currently live in Tampa, and we have lived here for 15 years. My husband is also in hospitality, and we moved a lot in the beginning, but one year after 6 snowstorms in a row, he decided it was time for a warmer climate. My career path has been a little eclectic with the frequent moves and my choice to stay home when my children were little, but my career has always revolved around guest services and administration.

What brought you to the corporate housing space?

I have a slightly convoluted story, but my interview with Oasis Corporate housing was 4, maybe 5 hours long. I met everyone on the operations team; they took me out to lunch, brought me back to the office, and met more people! It was just an instant fit. The opportunity was great, and it allowed me to prove myself to myself after years as a stay-at-home mom. The people and culture at Oasis really made me realize the perfect fit for my skill set and temperament, and I felt great about the opportunity right away. It was also a big motivator to be in an industry where I could learn, grow both personally and professionally, and make an impact on people's day to day lives. I was able to find my footing here, and I love that Oasis Corporate Housing is so employee-centric; we are truly a family! 

How have you seen corporate housing change in your career, and how do you see it changing in the future?

I have seen been big changes in the last 5 to 6 years, but from a back-office perspective, I feel that the two biggest changes I have seen are partnerships and COVID-19. COVID-19 has really humanized the back office and motivated us to be less transactional and more focused on working together to solve the problems we all face. We now tend to pick-up the phone and build relationships while we work for our guests' best interest instead of just firing off an email. While COVID-19 has presented several challenging circumstances, it has allowed us to find new solutions and softened many people, myself included. I think that change of approach alone has allowed us to be far more productive. 

Tell us what corporate housing means to you and the impact you see it have on the economy, people, and places? 

I have actually been on the other side of corporate housing, as I once was relocated for my husband's career. After living in a hotel for 4 weeks, I have a newfound admiration for what the industry involves. People often are stressed and overwhelmed by the thought of relocating, much less during a pandemic. However, the most important factor is ensuring that they and their family are comfortable and feel safe. I really see corporate housing as a bridge, where they can be more comfortable than being at a hotel while searching for a new house or permanent accommodation. Having been relocated, I truly get it, so I try my best to make our guests comfortable and to relieve some of their anxiety and stress related to the temporary move. I see my role as a chance to make people feel safe, comfortable, looked after, and protected while adjusting to their new surroundings or location. 

What is one fun fact about yourself? 

I have an introverted heart, but I am also kind of a ham – I taught salsa lessons, and I secretly love to be on stage.