OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF RA; MISSY DUGAS & BARBARA TRUJILLO

AN INTERVIEW WITH MISSY DUGAS

What does women’s history month mean to you?

Women’s History month is a time to celebrate accomplishments and contributions women have made throughout time. It is a month to appreciate the struggles experienced by our grandmothers to give us the opportunities we have today. I am hopeful that young girls are influenced and empowered to continue to forge the path to equitable treatment, respect, and recognition.

How did you get started in property management?

I moved into an apartment community as a newlywed and quickly got a dose of adulthood; money was tight. I started cleaning apartments to help pay our rent, and that led to a part time position as housekeeper and pool monitor.  I was offered a leasing position about a year later and that was the start of my career in Property Management.   Twenty-five years later, I still love what I do.

What positions have you held with RAM?

I joined Royal American as a Regional Manager in 2009 and was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2014.

What challenges do you have to overcome to fulfill your role?

As it relates to Women’s History Month, I hold several important roles that present different challenges. I am a Wife, Mom, Sister, Aunt, a Regional Vice President, amongst other “roles” that I hold – just as other women do.  Being a woman is hard work! Challenges are always changing and being a problem solver is critical to being successful.

How do you empower yourself and the women around you?

Believing in yourself is an important part of empowerment. Believing in others and letting them know you believe in them is critical for empowering others.  I also feel knowledge is empowering.  Always be open to learning something new and share your knowledge with those around you.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to 1) always use sunscreen and moisturize! 2) Choose to be happy – yes, it is a choice 3) Embrace change. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and make a change.

What advice do you have for the women of our organization?

Be the difference in someone’s life.  Strong women make strong women.  Introduce others to our industry!  Not many Property Management professionals knew this is what we wanted to be when we grew up, but we love it!  Recruit someone new to our company; be a mentor! Royal American has an incredible line of women leaders that want to make more women leaders!

AN INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA TRUJILLO

What does women’s history month mean to you?

Women’s History month means a time to highlight women’s achievement of both the past and present.

How did you get started in property management?

As a young girl, when my family arrived in the United States from Cuba, my father got a job working as a Porter for a Property Management Company. He worked his way up to a Maintenance Supervisor. He was with the Company for 32 years. Over the years, I saw how we all became a family. The owner even helped my father get a car when he was in a car accident. As a teenager, I helped out cleaning apartments on the property and earned a little extra money. So I basically grew up being around Property Management and desired to work in the same thing one day. Even my daughter, who is also in the business and a RAM employee, I might add, used to help my father pass out newsletters when she was a little girl.

What positions have you held with RAM?

I started as an Assistant Manager, became a Community Manager, a Senior Community Manager, then an Area Manager and eventually worked my way up to Regional Manager.

What challenges do you have to overcome to fulfill your role?

I have been told that sometimes my strengths can also be my weakness. I am a perfectionist and can be very hard on myself. I am still working on finding that balance.

How do you empower yourself and the women around you? 

In every situation, I take responsibility for my actions, and face things head on. My faith gets me through the challenges and helps me to overcome many obstacles. I encourage the women around me to stand up for what they believe in, do the best they can and not to give up when they’re told something is impossible.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell myself to use my strength, to not be so hard on myself and to always remember the value that I know I have.

What advice do you have for the women of our organization?

I’d say to always give the best that you can, aim for excellence whether people are watching or not and to let the quality of your work ethic speak for itself.