Meet Danielle, our Property Manager at University Commons, where she's been making a significant impact for nearly five years.

Her journey from intern to PM at Walnut Capital has been anything but ordinary.

Back in 2015, Danielle was navigating her sophomore year at Clarion University, initially diving into athletic training. But let’s be real, anatomy and physiology weren’t exactly her cup of tea. So, she made a sharp turn into business, focusing on human resources—a move that would later help her navigate the property management industry.

Her uncle helped land her an internship at Walnut Capital during school, where she started handling the prospect system, giving tours, and managing packages during the summers between college. She was basically a leasing consultant, just without the official title or the mountain of paperwork. Danielle has always had a knack for customer service, and her experiences at Walnut Capital only solidified that.

She worked three jobs (including Walnut) during school, creating a resume that reads like a greatest hits album of customer service: opening new stores at Rue 21, on the floor at Sephora, and even had a small stint at Texas Roadhouse (where she probably indulged in those legendary buttered rolls). Despite being a jack of all trades, Danielle found her true calling in property management. After graduating college, Alissa set her up with a full-time job at Bakery Living, launching her into her career at Walnut Capital.

Danielle got a front-row seat to the transformation of Bakery Blue, watching it grow from a stand alone garage to an entire community. She spent five years at Bakery Living, soaking up knowledge and experience before taking a giant leap to become the Property Manager at University Commons in 2020. Despite having initial anxiety about stepping into this role, Danielle embraced the challenge and has been rocking it ever since.

Everything has changed since I started. But technology is the main thing, and what we use. 

 

Every day, she kicks off her routine with a quick email check and maintenance updates. From there, it's all about managing the prospect system, prioritizing tasks, and making sure everything looks top-notch around the property. She ensures that maintenance is on point, prospects are happy, and residents feel at home. Her busiest times are a bit of a rollercoaster, with summer move-ins and move-outs keeping her on her toes, while the leasing season from October to March adds a unique twist to her schedule.

Life outside the office is a little more simple and relaxing. Danielle loves to unplug by camping in the middle of nowhere or floating down a river. She recharges with the help of Mother Nature.

Some of her favorite memories with our company are the off-site events and outings with coworkers. The Pirates games, happy hours, and monthly birthday celebrations allow her to hang out with those who have become some of her closest friends.

Some of my favorite memories are definitely the off-site events and the people I've met. 

Reflecting on nearly a decade with Walnut Capital, Danielle's journey is one of growth. From intern to property manager, she's seen it all and embraced every opportunity with positivity. Danielle's story isn't just about leasing and managing properties; it's about creating a community, building relationships, and making a difference every single day.

Walnut Capital won big with Danielle, and University Commons is (clearly) all the better for it.