Career Spotlight: Jami Anderson
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Name: Jami Anderson
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Tell us about your career:
In 2009, a simple apartment tour sparked unexpected inspiration. What looked like a fun and easy job—answering phones and showing apartments—turned out to be anything but. That first solo tour? A disaster. After wandering in circles for 20 minutes, defeat was admitted, a map was handed over, and the prospective resident took the lead. Surprisingly, laughter followed, a lease was signed, and my very first resident became part of the journey.
That “not-so-hard job” quickly evolved into a rewarding career filled with challenges, growth, and joy. Serving as a mentor revealed a true passion for education—helping others succeed, sharing knowledge, and watching confidence grow. It was clear: the long-term goal would be to lead a training department.
After progressing through various onsite roles, a new opportunity arrived in 2017—Regional Training and Marketing Director with Highmark Residential. While marketing wasn't initially part of the vision, the training aspect brought things one step closer to that 2010 goal. In 2021, a promotion to Senior Marketing Director followed, and by 2023, the transition to National Training Manager was complete.
Then, in 2024, the dream role became a reality. Joining Middleburg Communities as Director of Training and Support brought everything full circle. Today, the role includes leading the training department, operations systems support team, and centralized team. The mission: to serve as a strong support system for associates, leverage the centralized team to streamline time-consuming administrative tasks, empowering on-site teams to focus more on leasing and enhancing the in-person prospect and resident experience. At the same time, the goal is to ensure new associates are seamlessly onboarded and to provide ongoing, engaging, and interactive training that supports long-term success.
In addition to the full-time role, volunteer involvement extends to several committees within the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association (GCAA) and the Apartment Association of North Carolina (AANC). This service is driven by a commitment to give back to an industry that has provided so much. Currently serving as Vice President of the GCAA Board of Directors, installation as the 2026 Board President is scheduled to take place later this year at the annual Bravo Awards.
What advice do you have for someone just starting in your field:
Starting out in the multifamily industry can feel overwhelming—there’s a lot to learn, and it’s easy to feel like you should already know the answers. But remember, everyone starts somewhere. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; curiosity is a strength, not a weakness. Take a breath, focus on one day at a time, and celebrate the small wins. Those small steps are what lead to big-picture success. You've got this!