Five – Year Anniversary of Jami Bennett’s Contribution to Cardinal Group

At Cardinal, our culture embodies many different elements: it’s about improving as a team while having fun growing together both personally and professionally. Our team members are the heart and soul of our culture! We are so grateful for the efforts our team members put in daily to go the extra mile to help change the industry and challenge the status quo.

Today we’re celebrating Jami Bennett and her dedicated years of service to the growth of our team over the last five years.

Learn more about Jami’s journey below!

What is your role? 

Travel Support Manager –  I oversee the Operations Specialists who travel to our communities nationwide. 

Describe your Cardinal Journey (roles you previously worked in before your current position)

My Cardinal Story began when Cardinal took over management at The Cottages of Boone in Boone, NC. I worked there part-time and was quickly promoted to full-time as I finished my Senior year before becoming the Leasing and Marketing Team Lead in Chapel Hill, NC. I briefly took a break from the industry before returning to Cardinal as a Traveling Leasing Manager. Here, I traveled 95% of the time across the country, supporting all leasing and marketing needs. From there, I was promoted to oversee the team, which resulted in my becoming the Travel Support Manager. In this role, I’ve managed a team of 29 travelers with an 88% promotion rate. I support them while on assignments, create tailored upskilling plans, and grow their leadership. 

How did you decide to join the Cardinal team?

I decided to join the Cardinal Team when they took over the management of my community. I stayed on; it was the best decision I could have made! 

What’s the most significant lesson you’ve learned in your time at Cardinal?

The most significant lesson I’ve learned is just to be yourself, lean on your strengths, and be humble about areas of improvement. 

What do you find most exciting about your job? Most challenging? 

The most exciting aspect of my role is seeing my team member’s skills, knowledge, and leadership grow while on the team. Seeing the impact I make on my team is always rewarding as they get promoted to new roles! 

The most challenging aspect of my role with such a large team is taking an individual approach to getting to know each team member, establishing a professional relationship, and supporting them in the best way possible. 

If you could choose one word to describe your time at Cardinal, what would it be and why?

Inspirational! Throughout my time at Cardinal, I’ve had the opportunity to be the first in my position to create and develop our policies and processes. 

Who has been influential in your life (professionally or personally), and how have they helped guide you?

My team has been the most influential. When I became a manager, I had areas for improvement, and creating a space for my team and me to have open and honest communication allowed me to receive feedback on how I could grow. This has resulted in a 43% increase in Manager Effectiveness on Qualtrics. 

What’s something people may not know about you?   

It fills my heart to help feed the homeless. After an event, I pack the leftover food into boxes and walk around Denver, handing it out to those in need. We don’t know the situations that led them to their current situation, but what we do know is that we can help them when we can. 

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Be a sponge. Take in every experience and interaction and reflect on it to grow your knowledge and fine-tune your skills to reach your goals. 

What is your proudest moment working at Cardinal Group?

While working at Cardinal Group, my proudest moment was participating in the Cardinal’s RedTalk program. I was selected to speak to inspire others to own their careers. It was such a rewarding experience that it grew my confidence in public speaking and sharing a passionate message. 

What is your biggest motivator? 

My biggest motivator is to be a role model for my younger brother. I’ve always wanted to make him proud to see his sister being hard-working, creative, and having fun while doing it. 

What has been the most interesting change you’ve seen in the industry, and why? 

The most interesting change I’ve seen in the industry is the increase in luxury-style apartments with many amenities. My first apartment in college didn’t even have AC, so it was incredible to go onsite and see two-story gyms, spa-style pools, and even a rock climbing wall. 

What is your favorite college town in America, and why?

My favorite college town in America is Boone, North Carolina. My brothers and I lived in Boone while in college, and we take a family trip there each year! It is refreshing to get out of a big city and have a slower pace. 

Are you ready to start your Cardinal Journey?

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