Latest news with #TheMichaelsOrganization
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Internships That Matter: 8 Tips For Offering Meaningful Opportunities
Mark Morgan is CEO of The Michaels Organization, a national leader in residential real estate. In today's competitive talent landscape, offering substantive internships isn't just good for students—it's essential for organizations seeking fresh perspectives and future leaders. At my organization, we've found that internships work best when young professionals are given real responsibility, genuine mentorship and a clear window into the industry they've chosen to pursue. Here's how to develop an internship program that truly lifts lives based on our experience: The most effective internship programs engage students in real projects with tangible outcomes. For instance, at our organization, our interns across development, capital markets, investment management, acquisitions and other departments contribute to actual deliverables that impact our business. When interns see their work implemented in real time, their engagement often soars, and they gain portfolio pieces that showcase their abilities to future employers. One of the first activities I recommend hosting for your interns is speed networking with your leadership and department heads. This gives interns an overview of the different aspects of your organization and the opportunities that exist within it. It also provides a look at the integrated capabilities your organization offers, your geographic footprint and other essential information so interns can see where their assigned role fits into the big picture. Happy hours with one another, outings to sporting events and other non-work activities can also promote friendships and a sense of belonging among interns, which can not only increase their enjoyment while they are with your organization but also highlight the value of in-person relationships in the business world. While interns typically focus on one department, rotating them through different areas can provide invaluable context. Offer interns the opportunity to shadow others in different departments so they gain perspective on how various roles contribute to your organization's overarching mission. For example, an HR intern might spend the day with a compliance specialist so they understand the job for which they are recruiting. A marketing intern might spend the day with the proposal manager to get a sense of the collateral marketing needs to assemble high-quality proposals. Internships should develop not just technical skills but also a sense of purpose. Consider establishing an annual intern volunteer day. This has become a cornerstone of our program, and I've seen how it can allow students to work together on community projects while experiencing our organizational values in action. Schedule opportunities for interns to interact with leadership through brown-bag lunches, Q&A sessions or project presentations. We also ensure our interns present their summer projects to leadership. This gives them an opportunity to gain valuable feedback while giving executives visibility into emerging talent. The most successful internship programs serve as talent pipelines. Be transparent about how interns can transition into full-time roles, and showcase examples of former interns who have built successful careers within your organization. Ensure your talent acquisition team takes a proactive approach to building your employer brand throughout the year. For example, based on projected needs for individual markets, we identify niche student-led organizations aligned with desired majors, particularly real estate organizations. We build rapport with club leaders and plan on-campus employer sessions in the fall before recruitment begins. Leveraging your teammates who are alumni of targeted universities can also be a helpful strategy. They can help identify points of contact to accompany recruitment visits, provide insights into their local markets and generate interest in your internship program. This is something we do, as well as track outreach and planned events to serve as references for future programs and determine a return on investment with successful intern conversions. Finally, establish relationships with career advisors, faculty and staff to promote your internship program. Moreover, work with corporate marketing to create recruitment videos featuring standout interns sharing their experiences. We've found that these videos, along with LinkedIn promotion of summer events, help generate positive publicity and attract college students to our opportunities. To ensure your program remains relevant and impactful, survey both hiring managers and interns after each program. This feedback can help you identify the most valuable elements and improve future internship experiences. The investment in developing robust internship experiences can yield returns far beyond completing short-term projects. When done thoughtfully, internships can become powerful vehicles for developing future industry leaders while infusing your organization with fresh energy and perspectives. By treating interns as valued contributors rather than temporary help, you create ambassadors for your organization who will speak highly of their experience, whether they ultimately join your team or pursue opportunities elsewhere. In either scenario, you've contributed meaningfully to lifting a young professional's career trajectory. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I visited the site of Disney's first affordable housing development. Here's what I found.
Walt Disney World is building its first-ever affordable housing development. The 1,400 units will be built in Horizon West, a master-planned community in Central Florida. Housing insecurity is a problem in Central Florida — for residents and Disney cast members alike. I don't typically spend my Friday afternoons flitting across Orlando in search of undeveloped plots, but nearly 80 acres of land have become a source of tension for some residents of Horizon West. The master-planned community, complete with five villages and a town center, spans over 20,000 acres and is about 20 minutes from the Magic Kingdom. Construction for nearly 1,400 mixed-income housing units — developed by The Michaels Organization on land owned by Walt Disney World — will begin this year. More than 1,000 units will be dedicated to affordable housing. "We selected this land because it is part of a thriving community, close to employers, shopping, services, public schools, and areas of rest and recreation," Disney says about the development on its website. "We feel there is no better-positioned community in Central Florida to provide residents the opportunity to start a new chapter of their story." Disney said the "critical" need for affordable housing units prompted it to pursue the project. "The lack of affordable housing is affecting many people across our country, including those who live and work in Central Florida," the company says. Housing insecurity continues to impact Central Florida. Residents across various industries are still reeling from the increased cost of living and the dicey housing market that emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes hospitality and tourism workers — like Walt Disney World cast members — who are vital to the area's economy. Former cast members have told local Florida outlets and BI that they've struggled with housing insecurity and securing living wages. Walt Disney World has made strides to address the issue. In 2021, the company set a $15 minimum wage for cast members and increased it to $18 in 2023. Critics of the privately funded project said the fast-growing area is already crowded and does not have the infrastructure to handle an influx of residents. Supporters said it's an opportunity to address the housing insecurity in Central Florida. Orange County expects the population, now over 1.5 million, to increase by 500,000 by 2050. Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who represents residents in Horizon West, opposed a proposal for the housing units last year. "We are not in a position to put more human beings in an area that isn't ready for them. I think we have this perception that affordable housing is the goal. And yes, it should be affordable, but it should also come with all the things we need for it to be successful," Wilson told WMFE, a local public radio station. In response to concerned citizens, a Disney spokesperson told Newsweek, "Orange County leaders continue to identify affordable housing as one of the most significant priorities for our region, and we take great pride in bringing a plan to the table that can contribute to the solution." Residents told BI that Horizon West used to be a hidden gem, but now it's attracting people in search of camaraderie and what they call the "village lifestyle." I toured the community to see what all the hype was about. As I walked through Horizon West, one thing became clear: It's a lively, family-focused community that is quickly expanding. Parents pushed strollers, couples walked dogs, and packs of laughing children sped down the sidewalks on electric scooters. Palm trees dotted the grassy landscape alongside several apartment buildings and retail spots. It's a far cry from when citrus farmers and their groves dominated the area. Orange County began to develop Horizon West in 1995 after a series of freezes decimated the citrus groves in the area. Inspired by the new urbanism movement, developers created a master plan that envisioned each village having housing, shops, a place to work, a school, parks, and other things essential to daily life. That "village lifestyle" is one reason Heather Parker and her family moved to Horizon West from Missouri in 2020. Parker is the culture & engagement manager for Horizon West Happenings, a community initiative focused on empowering residents. "When we decided to move to Florida, my kids were in elementary school and middle school, so having the school was a very big draw to us," Parker said. "As we started researching, we found a couple of options that were a good fit." It was also appealing that residents have easy access to green spaces and often forgo cars for bicycles or scooters, she said. "Everything is open and connected," Parker said. "I can go to the grocery store on my scooter to pick up a couple of items or go to the dentist. The hospital is two minutes down the street from me. There are so many great things about everything being so close." Although each village appears similar at a glance, Lindsay Turner, the director of marketing for Horizon West Happenings, said each "has its own unique vibe." Hamlin, for example, acts as the downtown and offers a nightlife element attractive to young professionals. Bridgewater is "family-oriented," while Village I attracts many Disney employees due to the close commute. There's also a Brazilian influence prevalent in some villages that isn't in others, which Turner said shows how each area is distinct. Florida became a top destination for people moving states during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving it an economic boost but also increasing living costs. When I explored Horizon West, it seemed like there were signs and banners advertising real estate options on every corner. Real estate agent Nicole Mickle said the influx of new Floridians was felt in Horizon West. She and her family moved to the area in 2018. "I sold many homes through FaceTime," Mickle said. The US Census Bureau reported that 14,000 people lived in Horizon West in 2010, and that number rose to over 58,100 in 2020. The community is now about 75,000, according to the Census Reporter. "The rumors are true," Turner said."The growth is exponential. It's insane how quickly and how fast things grow here. You can leave Horizon West for a month or two and come back to areas that are completely unrecognizable." Horizon West has various housing options at different price points, which the developers specified in the master plan. "Apartments could be around $2,500 a month, and homes could be multimillion-dollar over here," Mickle said. "I think the homes are still affordable for what Horizon West offers. You can't find this in other areas of Orlando at the moment." Mickle said the recent population boom, in tandem with residents' passion for Horizon West, could explain the stir around the Disney-backed housing units. "What some want to do is keep the integrity of the community," Mickle said. Residents circulated a petition last year saying they "strongly opposed" the construction because it threatened "the local environment and quality of life due to the inappropriate location and lack of adequate infrastructure." Some residents told local media outlets that the housing units would bring more traffic to the area, while others wondered how affordable the units would actually be. Although the units have drawn criticism, Parker said they've also generated excitement from those looking for new housing opportunities. The units are meant for Central Florida residents across many industries and backgrounds, including firefighters, teachers, and hospitality workers. "Not many teachers in Horizon West live in the area," Parker said. "It is an upper-middle-class area, and teachers in Florida may not make enough money to live here otherwise." Parker said the project is designed to fit aesthetically with the surrounding Horizon West properties and will have coveted amenities like pocket parks. "Disney has done a great job of holding community meetings, opening up the dialogue, listening, and trying to make sure everybody's on the same page," Parker said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Michaels Welcomes New Executive Vice President
Genevieve Bauer Joins Leadership Team Overseeing Management Operations CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2025 / The Michaels Organization, a national leader in residential real estate with full service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment, announced today that Genevieve Bauer has joined its Leadership Team as Executive Vice President of Management Bauer A headshot of Genevieve Bauer, Executive Vice President, Management Operations, The Michaels Organization. A senior real estate executive with deep experience in property management operations across all housing sectors including market-rate, affordable, student, and military housing, Bauer is positioned to succeed Kimberlee Schreiber, president of Michaels Management, who has announced her intention to retire in two years. 'We truly cannot express how grateful we are to Kimberlee for her leadership and dedication to Michaels,' said Matt Sullivan, Michaels' Chief Operating Officer. 'She has been with Michaels for more than 15 years, the last ten in the role of President, as our portfolio grew by more than 30,000 units and our geographic footprint increased by four states. She has deeply embedded our mission of creating Communities that Lift Lives into our culture and has been a role model for all those who have had the pleasure of working for and with her,' Sullivan said. Under Schreiber's leadership, Michaels Management has been the recipient of multiple awards, including being named Property Management Company of the Year three times by The National Association of Homebuilders. Bauer's appointment now as EVP will provide an opportunity for her to embark on a tour of Michaels' extensive portfolio, which extends from coast to coast, as well as Hawaii and the Caribbean. She will work side-by-side with Schreiber and the other members of Schreiber's executive leadership in all aspects of property operations, including financial management, resident services, compliance, and technology. 'I am delighted to welcome Gen to Michaels and look forward to her leading our management team into the future with great success,' said Schreiber. 'All of Michaels' achievements over the past half century are due to our people--our great teammates who live our mission to Lift the Lives of our residents and each other. Gen embraces our culture and our mission and will be supported by the best team in the business,' Schreiber said. Bauer comes to Michaels from MAXX Properties where she served as Chief Operating Officer. Her prior experience also includes Senior Vice President roles at Balfour Beatty Communities and WinnCompanies. She holds a Certified Property Management designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management and a Certified Defense Privatization Manager Designation from the Military Housing Lodging Institute. In 2008, she was recognized with an 'Up and Comer' Award by Multifamily Executive Management for her success 'tangibly contributing to the financial success of her company.' Educated at the University of Denver, Bauer holds a Master's Degree in Leadership and Organizations. Her industry involvement includes serving as Past Chair of the NAA's Apartment Careers Committee and as Past Chair of the Privatized Military Housing Committee. Her volunteer service includes being a founding member of the National Training Committee for Entryway, a nonprofit organization dedicated to career training and economic self-sufficiency. About The Michaels Organization Michaels is a national leader in residential real estate, offering full-service capabilities in development, property and asset management, construction, and investment. Serving more than 200,000 residents in more than 600 communities across 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Michaels is committed to crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity, and to creating Communities That Lift Lives. Contact Information: Laura Zaner Vice President, Michaels Corporate Marketing [email protected] 856-988-5983; 856-630-1540 SOURCE: The Michaels Organization press release
