Hoarding Awareness Workshop

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are closing out the month with a workshop focused on a challenging issue often encountered in property management: hoarding. This training provides a clear and compassionate introduction to hoarding disorder, helping staff better understand what hoarding is, why it occurs, and the complex factors that contribute to it. The session emphasizes recognizing individuals who may be at risk and responding with care, empathy, and respect.

Please make plans to join us Thursday, May 28, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CT) via Microsoft Teams for this training opportunity.

 

What You’ll Explore

  • What hoarding disorder is and how it differs from clutter or collecting
  • Why people hoard objects and what purpose those items may serve
  • Psychological, emotional, and environmental factors that contribute to the disorder
  • How to identify individuals who may be at risk and respond with care and compassion

The session will begin with a presentation, followed by a moderated Q&A where attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share reflections.

 

Featured Speaker

AMANDA BELANGER

University of Miami — Program for Anxiety, Stress, and OCD (PASO)

Amanda Belanger is a fourth-year doctoral student working with Kiara Timpano at the University of Miami. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and French Language & Literature from Fordham University in 2019.  Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that maintain hoarding disorder, with the goal of improving treatment outcomes. Amanda is particularly interested in how individuals learn throughout treatment and how emotional responses to sorting influence this process.

 

We hope you will join us! A calendar invite will be sent to your email.

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Royal American’s Leading Women Week 4

This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.

Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.

Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.

 

VERONICA RAMSEY

VP OF COMPLIANCE

Royal American Corporate 

Starting Date / Position:

May 2022 / VP of Compliance

Veronica & Grandsons, L-R: Tommy, Veronica, Damien

 

IN HER OWN WORDS

1. What originally drew you to your field, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today?

As I look back on my career, I realize that so many things in my life shaped my journey to where I am today. Being a child of teachers and a preacher instilled following the rules, respect, kindness, and always learning throughout my childhood. Becoming a mother of 6 taught me patience and dealing with multiple personalities. Key traits needed to lead a compliance department. A divorce led me to learning everything I could about financing a home. As hard as the divorce was, it led me to a job with KY Housing Corporation(KHC) in the Single Family Homeownership Dept.(SFH). During my time in the SFH Department, I started training partners with KHC on our compliance procedures. This led to my passion with compliance. Self-motivation to better myself along with learning opportunities provided by KHC I was able to transition to the Multi-family Compliance Department. I remember my first day in multi-family like it was yesterday. The department was having a meeting about APR reports. I was sitting there wondering why multi-family is worrying about annual percentage rates. I was embarrassed that I didn’t know but raised my hand and asked. The acronym APR meant something totally different in multi-family. It was Annual Performance reporting. That was an impactful moment on how I trained others. No question is dumb, don’t be afraid to ask. Being proactive in my own learning has been key to my journey so far. Living and learning go hand in hand, and I am not done with either!

2. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact?

Most women often lead with “communal” instincts which fosters emotional intelligence and empathy. It also allows women to sense team stress early and try to respond to emotional needs. I feel this helps lead a team that develops trust, loyalty, and psychological safety. I feel women tend to make authentic connections with employees and other team members. Women inherently can multi-task. Something that is a must in this position. Fun Fact: During COVID -19 pandemic, female-led organizations often performed better than male led organizations. This was attributed to a focus on long-term stability and empathetic communication during high-stress periods.

3. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced—either in leadership or in finance—and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?

It is hard for me to pinpoint one specific challenge to share. What I can share is there have been many hurdles and challenges along the way. Some days it could seem like I was an Olympic Hurdle jumper, lol, but with each one I pushed towards the finish line. Hurdles and challenges help us learn how to handle situations better. We grow by going through hard times. We become stagnant if we are not challenged. Keep learning how to be better than the day before, continue to push through, don’t give up and probably the most important is do your best to not being the challenge or hurdle for someone else. A wise woman (my mother) would tell me if you’re not part of the solution, your part of the problem. That has helped with my growth both personal and professional.

4. What hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced?

I love spending time with my 2 grandsons Tommy and Damien. I am VeVe to them and spoil them rotten. I put a tv in a bathroom for them, have their favorite ice cream and treats when they visit. My time with them helps me to forget all the troubles of the world. My family has regular dinner and game nights. Any time my house is full of family and/or friends, my heart is full. My daughters and I have recently set aside some time once a month to play Mahjong. Time with my crazy bunch keeps me grounded. I also enjoying getting my hands dirty gardening and growing plants. Being out in nature helps me stayed balanced. I also love to travel, alone or with family and friends I am ready to go!

5. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented?

Being a leader is a mindset. Don’t wait for a leadership title to be given to you, act like a leader. Being active at the “table”, speak up and give your perspective. Surround yourself with the right people, professionally and personal. This is so important. Negative influencers can drag you down, cause doubt and fear. Have the people in your circle that will be your mentor, your biggest cheer leader, someone who is not afraid to constructively criticize or disagree with you, and someone who has your back regardless of being in their presence or not. My mother would always say “Where there is a will, there is a way.”

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Royal American’s Leading Women Week 3

This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.

Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.

Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.

 

ANGELA NOFSINGER BROOKS

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Royal American Hospitality

Starting Date / Position:

July 2013, Human Resources Specialist (FSC)

L-R: Cody Brooks(son), Jocelyn Brooks (daughter), Angela Nofsinger Brooks, and Cory Brooks (son)

 

IN HER OWN WORDS

What originally drew you to the field of Human Resources, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today?

1.My path into Human Resources actually started in a pretty unexpected way. I was working in accounting at my previous company when the president called me into his office and told me that we needed to start a Human Resources department, and they felt I was the right person for the role. At first, I almost didn’t accept the opportunity because of the unknown.  HR was such a big shift from what I had been doing, and I was afraid of failure, but after giving it much thought and with encouragement from leadership, I decided to step out and take the chance.  I stepped into the role as Human Resources Administrator / Risk Manager and started building the HR function from the ground up, which gave me a real appreciation and passion for how important HR is in supporting employees and creating a positive workplace culture. Over time, I realized I was naturally equipped with many of the traits that are essential in HR; being compassionate, trustworthy, and genuinely caring about people. While I enjoyed accounting, I quickly realized that HR was truly where I was meant to be.

 

2. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact?

I believe women often bring compassion, empathy, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills to roles like Human Resources. HR is really about people; listening, understanding different perspectives, and helping create solutions that work for everyone. For me personally, I strive to lead with compassion, be someone employees can trust, and show that I genuinely care. Women also often bring a collaborative mindset, which helps when navigating challenges and finding solutions that support both employees and the organization. When people feel heard, respected, and treated fairly, it builds trust and helps create a stronger, more supportive workplace.

 

3. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?

One of my earliest challenges was starting the HR department from the ground up. Coming from an accounting background, I had to quickly learn a new field while creating policies, procedures, and systems that would support employees and the organization. It pushed me to grow outside of my comfort zone, but with great support and a willingness to learn, I embraced the challenge and 24 years later, I still love working in HR and cannot imagine what else I’d do. Throughout my career, I’ve also navigated many employee relations situations and periods of organizational change. Those experiences can be complex, but they’ve helped me grow by strengthening my communication skills, reinforcing the importance of empathy and fairness, and teaching me how important it is to listen and support people during challenging times. Another habit that has helped me stay positive and focused is being intentional about my mindset. During my daily commute, I spend at least 30 minutes listening to inspirational/motivational content, whether it’s a podcast, TED Talk, YouTube video or Audible. Starting and/or ending my day that way helps keep me encouraged and reminds me to continue learning and growing and caring about people, even when its hard.

 

4. What hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced?

Work-life balance is probably my biggest challenge, so I try to be intentional about making time for the things that help me recharge. I really enjoy gardening, it’s something that helps me relax and slow down. I also love spending time with my family, friends, and my two dogs, as well as getting outside whenever I can.  Sometimes it’s something as simple as taking a walk or unplugging for a little while. Those moments help me reset, maintain perspective, and come back ready to approach every day with a fresh outlook.

 

5. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented?

My biggest advice would be to believe in yourself and stay open to opportunities, even ones that may take you in a direction you didn’t expect. My own career path is a great example of how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead you to something you were meant to do.  Keep learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. Seek out mentors and stay curious throughout your career. And as you grow professionally, remember how important it is to support and encourage other women along the way. Representation matters, and every woman who steps into leadership helps open doors for those who follow.  Always make a conscious decision to be happy, to have a healthy work-life balance and maintain a positive outlook on every situation and treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or what they do.

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Royal American’s Leading Women Week 2 Part 2!

This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.

Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.

Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.

 

MARILYN URROZ,

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, RAM MIAMI

Start Date / Position: October 2009, Community Manager, Village Allapattah

Pictured L-R:  Xsavier (son), Joe (husband); Joey (son), Angielisse (daughter) & Marilyn

 

IN HER OWN WORDS

1.What originally drew you to the field of Property Management, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today? I was drawn to property management because of my own personal experience. I grew up in affordable housing communities. Even as an adult my first apartment was in an affordable housing community as well. I still remember walking into the leasing office and being impressed by how professional everything felt. The manager and her team were always well dressed, the office smelled clean and welcoming, and the property looked beautiful with fresh mulch, flowers, and well-kept grounds. It left a lasting impression on me. Over time I met people who worked in the industry and an opportunity eventually came my way. I decided to take it, and once I got into the field, I realized how meaningful the work really is and the impact good management can have on a community. That experience ultimately set me on the path to where I am today.

 

2. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact? Women often bring strong communication skills, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset. They also tend to approach challenges with a practical, solution-focused mindset, which helps keep things moving forward and creates a positive impact on the team and the communities they serve.

 

3. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?  In this field, it’s learning how to balance the many different responsibilities early on. In property management you’re learning how to navigate difficult situations while balancing the needs of residents, teams, and ownership. Constantly balancing requirements, operational demands, and the real-life situations residents are facing taught me to be solution-focused and supporting my teams so we can handle challenges together. Those experiences really pushed me to grow as a leader.

 

4. What hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced? I recharge by doing things that let me be creative. I love crafting, especially anything with glitter, rhinestones, and sparkles. If it shines, I’m probably working with it.

 

5. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented? Believe in yourself and trust in what you’re capable of achieving. Set goals for yourself, even small ones at first, and stay focused on working toward them. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, so pace yourself and give yourself the space to learn along the way. If you stay committed, keep learning, and believe in your abilities, you’ll create opportunities not just for yourself but for the women coming up behind you.

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Royal American’s Leading Women Week 2

This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.

Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.

Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.

 

KRISTY COBB, DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE

RAM CORPORATE

Starting Date / Position:

May 2022; Director of Compliance

Kristy Cobb & Family, L-R: Michael (husband); Kristy Cobb;   Emily (daughter); CJ (son); Lilyann (daughter)

 

IN HER OWN WORDS

  1. What originally drew you to the field of LIHTC/Compliance, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today?

I wandered into Tax Credit by accident when I was just 20 years old.  I had a student housing background and had never heard of Affordable Housing.  I stumbled into a job as a leasing specialist and quickly caught on to what I needed to do in my role to income qualify a household but did not know the why’s.  A couple of months in, I went to my first Compliance training.  I started connecting those dots and was hooked on the Compliance piece of it.  The regulation and rules definitely appealed to my type A personality and problem-solving nature.  I continued to work on sites for almost 2 decades, jumping from one “new challenge” to another.  I would tackle the task, get the job to where it was wasn’t as challenging and then would grow restless, so I was always actively look for that next challenge.   In my career in Property Management, I have worked in many positions and on many different types of properties but never landed in a spot that felt just right.  Finally, around 8 years ago, I was offered a position in Compliance and it felt like I landed on my home planet.  I get to problem solve every day and while this position is not easy, it definitely keeps me engaged.  Every day in Compliance is a “new challenge.”

 

  1. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact?

You know that saying, “my brain has too many tabs open”?  I believe that this is what 99.9% of women’s heads are like.  We have an innate ability to handle so many things at one time.  This is one of the biggest skill sets required for a role in Compliance.   As the Director of Compliance for Royal American, I am often presented with overlapping deadlines and 100 little fires outside of my normal job duties.   I need to be able to multi-task and pivot.   I need to be adaptable to the changing needs of my company and my team. I also feel that as a woman my nature to be empathic, supportive, and purpose-driven and my emotional strength helps me to be an effective leader for my team.  Property Management is a high stress industry.  There is not much downtime, and we are continually moving from one project to another.  I work hard to ensure my team knows that they can come to me whenever they need and I will be a support for them, whether that support is assistance, guidance or just a listening ear.

 

  1. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?

Coming to Royal American was a huge hurdle in my career, in the best way possible.  I came to this company as the Director of Compliance.  There is a lot of responsibility in that role.  Not only was this a new position for me, but at a brand-new company (to me).  I had to prove myself not only as a new employee, but also as a whole team’s new supervisor.  I remember working 60-70 hours per week that first year.  I was always so worried that I was going to mess up not only my own reputation, but Royal American’s.  My supervisor kept breathing confidence into me.  She kept pushing me, and her push kept me going.  Three years later and now I am more grounded and comfortable in my role, and I believe our department is in a better position today than it was 3 years ago.  I feel proud to have been a part of that growth and am so excited to see the progress our team makes over the next 3 years.  That first year taught me that every obstacle, no matter how overwhelming, can be overcome.  It also showed me that as a supervisor, it is so important that I am there as a support for my team.

 

  1. What hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced?

My family keeps me balanced.  My husband, Michael, and I have been married for 10 years this May.  We have 3 kids-Emily, CJ and Lilyann.   We love spending time outside.  We like to go camping, boating, and side-by-side riding with friends.  We also have a lot of family game nights, whether that is traditional board games, hide and seek or having nerf gun wars around the house.

 

  1. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented?

I would say that absolutely anything is possible if you work hard and stay focused.  I tell my kids all the time that whether they think they can do it or think they can’t, they’re right.  The path to getting from where you begin to where you want to be all depends on how bad you want it and how much you are willing to work for it.

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Royal American’s Leading Women

This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.

Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.

Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.

 

SHANNON SCRIBNER, Controller

Royal American Companies

Starting Position / Hire Date: Sr Accountant – Special Projects | OCT 2022

 

SHANNON & FAMILY at Stone Mountain, 2026 Lunar New Year Festival

(L–R) Bennet Fountain and Jadyn Scribner (Shannon’s daughter and her boyfriend); Shannon Scribner;

Keith Gosset (Shannon’s brother); Kruz and Logan Scribner (Shannon’s sons)

 

IN HER OWN WORDS:

1.Your role as Controller requires a strong blend of financial expertise and leadership. What originally drew you to this field, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today?

I was originally drawn to the field when I found myself doing bookkeeping for a fire alarm company right out of high school. As I grew in that role and gained hands-on experience, I realized how much I enjoyed the financial side of the business and decided to pursue a formal education in the field. I wanted to be able to offer companies not only practical experience, but also the technical knowledge that comes with a strong financial background.

Throughout my career, I’ve naturally been guided toward leadership and managerial roles. Over time, I realized that the skills that shaped me as a leader didn’t just come from the business world—they also came from being a parent. Parenthood taught me early on the importance of organization, clear communication, and creating an environment where everyone feels heard. I also learned that supporting a team by ensuring they have the tools and resources they need is essential for collective success. Those lessons have greatly influenced the leader I am today.

 

2. You hold a position historically dominated by men. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact?

The strengths women bring to roles that have historically been dominated by men include strong observation skills, organization, and interpersonal awareness. These qualities help me understand different perspectives and put myself in others’ shoes, which allows me to lead in a way that is both fair and consistent. I also believe women often excel at balancing multiple responsibilities at once. In my role, that ability helps me oversee several sub-departments within accounting while still giving each team the attention and support they need to succeed.

 

3. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced—either in leadership or in finance—and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?

One of the more challenging times in my career was stepping into a department that had been operating with a very hands-off approach. My goal was to help transition it into a more structured and cohesive team where everyone clearly understood the company’s goals and the direction we were moving in. That process required building trust, establishing clearer expectations, and creating better communication within the team.

Over time, as the department became more aligned and collaborative, it was incredibly rewarding to hear colleagues from other areas of the company compliment the department’s progress and effectiveness. Moments like that are very motivating because they reflect the hard work the team has put in.

I’m continuing to grow in my role and learning what works and what doesn’t. I believe professional growth should be ongoing—because when we stop learning and improving, we risk becoming stagnant, and that’s when both individuals and organizations can begin to fall behind.

 

4. When you’re not leading the financial backbone of RA, what hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced?

I’m still learning the work–life balance trick—it’s definitely easier said than done. When I do step away from work, I enjoy spending quality time with my kids and taking short trips whenever we can. I also like quieter activities like puzzles and reading mystery novels. And if I’m being honest, I have a bit of an obsession with true crime. Those things help me unwind, recharge, and come back to work with a clearer perspective.

 

5. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented?

My advice to other women considering leadership roles is that growth often happens once you step into the opportunity. Trust the strengths you bring to the table, whether that’s communication, organization, or the ability to connect with people. Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and continue learning along the way. Leadership is a constant learning process, surrounding yourself with supportive mentors can make a big difference.

 

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Black History Month Affordable Housing Heroes – Winners Announced!

 

This Black History Month, RA came together to celebrate, learn, and honor the powerful contributions of Black Affordable Housing Heroes. Thank you to everyone who participated in our Open Book Quiz — and congratulations to our winners!  Each winner was randomly selected from participants who answered every question correctly.  As a token of appreciation, breakfast is on us! Gift cards have been emailed to all winners.

 

Thank you for taking the time to engage, learn, and celebrate the legacy and impact of Black leaders who continue to shape our communities and the affordable housing industry.

 

WINNER’S CIRCLE:

  1. Alicia Anderson Weldon Crossing and Welford Place
  2. Melissa Dugas Royal American Management, Operations
  3. Nicole Boles First Service-GL Accounting
  4. Vanessa Erazo RAM Miami
  5. Gloria Gillespie Peoples First Insurance

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ANSWER KEY

  1. This Housing Hero was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the first African American Cabinet member in U.S. history?  Robert C. Weaver

  2. U.S. Representative Shirley Chisholm testified before Congress in support of amendments to strengthen which piece of housing legislation?  The Fair Housing Act

  3. Lisa Rice is President and CEO of the nation’s only national civil rights agency dedicated exclusively to eliminating housing discrimination.  What is the name of this agency?  National Fair Housing Alliance

  4. Who made history as the first Black woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Jimmy Carter?  Patricia Roberts Harris

  5. In 1968, Dorothy Mae Richardson organized her Pittsburgh neighbors to fight neighborhood decline, proving that restoring homes — not demolishing them — could rebuild communities. Based on her resident-led housing redevelopment model, Congress later established what national organization?  Neighborhood Housing Services OR “NeighborWorks”

  6. What was the name of the Virginia bank founded by Maggie L. Walker that helped provide Black families access to loans and mortgages?  St. Luke Penny Savings Bank (Richmond, VA)

  7. Architect Hilyard Robinson’s Aberdeen Gardens (1934) and Langston Terrace Dwellings (1935) were groundbreaking public housing projects that went beyond basic shelter. Give 2 examples of amenities / community support Robinson included in these communities to promote dignity and self-sufficiency for Black families during the era of segregation?  Any two answers were correct:  Green spaces, playgrounds, artwork, garden plots, a school, and a commercial center

  8. This Harvard Law School graduate strategically dismantled segregation by challenging racially restrictive housing covenants?  Charles Hamilton Houston, Sr.

  9. Which Housing Hero led bus tours through Chicago’s public housing communities so visitors could witness the impact of redevelopment and hear directly from residents?  Beauty Turner
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