Kurstie Butcher currently serves as property management and operations specialist for Chicago-based Draper and Kramer, Incorporated. She was recently recognized on the Institute of Real Estate Management’s 30 Under 30 list as an emerging real estate management leader and was also honored by the organization’s Chicago chapter as Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) of the Year.
Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?
I grew up in Haughton, Louisiana, and moved to College Station, Texas in 2013 to be closer to my wife-to-be, who was working on her PhD at the time. We moved to the Chicago area in 2018, where we still live. My general studies degree is from Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, Louisiana, and I received my associate’s degree in real estate from Blinn College in Bryan, Texas.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I have taken an interesting path to land where I am today. When I was still living in Louisiana, I was an assistant director at several day cares in the area — and it just so happened that the skills I developed there translated well into building management. I began my career in the residential management industry at a private property management company in College Station, who hired me to manage operations for three of their properties. I had a desire to eventually move to a larger company, for my own personal growth, and in 2015 I made that jump and then in 2018 landed at Draper and Kramer, Incorporated in Chicago, where I continue to work to this day.
Did you have a mentor who helped you get on your feet, or is there someone you turn to now for support?
Starting out in property management, one of my mentors was Amy Siebert, who ended up bringing me over to Draper and Kramer from my previous company. I relied heavily on her for advice on how to handle different situations. We still talk to this day, and she has been a great friend and someone I look up to within the industry. My boss Tim Kramer, who is vice president and director of operations for the management services team at Draper and Kramer, is a colleague I turn to for ongoing support, as well as Draper and Kramer Chief Administrative Officer Christine Ramsey — who I’ve gotten to know better though DK Elevate, a company-wide development and mentorship program. She is someone that has been instrumental in shaping my leadership skills, and the DK Elevate program itself has provided me with a diverse group of peers from across the company to bounce ideas off of and give me real-time feedback.
What does an average day at work look like?
Every day is a little different, which suits my personality. I have been very fortunate to be able to shape my current job responsibilities to fit my strengths and interests through the DK Elevate program. For my first 2.5 years with Draper and Kramer, I was the property manager at North 680, a 180-unit luxury rental community in Schaumburg, Illinois, so I was on-site at one location every day. In my new role, which I began in 2021, I serve essentially as a ‘floating’ property manager assigned as needed across property sites, where I provide support and mentorship to teams, train current and new employees, and head up special projects.
This role gives me a lot of variety in my work. I could be out of state one month, assigned to a special project at one of our DK properties in Texas or St. Louis, and back in Illinois the next — it really depends on the needs at our different buildings. For example, I recently did a four-month stint at one of our properties in Texas to help implement operational best practices. Then, when I returned to Chicago, I assisted our team at 1130 South Michigan for six months, and now I am at another local property through the summer.
What do you like most about your job?
I like the diversity of my role and the fact each day brings with it new challenges and opportunities for success. I have a great group of colleagues and being able to share with them the knowledge I have gained in my current position brings me a lot of joy. Working with our residents is also near and dear to my heart. Spending time at different properties has given me a deeper understanding of resident needs, and how to respond thoughtfully, anticipate issues and provide a high level of customer service — which is something I have always taken great pride in doing.
It has also been a real pleasure to work in a welcoming environment at Draper and Kramer that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. It is embedded in all the work we do, and I am proud to play a role in fostering this culture as one of the founding members of an internal group dedicated to DEI initiatives.
Looking to the future, what do you hope to achieve/work on that you have not already?
I’ve been fortunate to basically create my own role and I would like to continue in that capacity for some time. I could see myself moving into a regional property manager position in the future or expanding my role further into the operations side of the business. There’s really no opportunity I wouldn’t be open to — the sky is the limit.
How do you spend your time away from the office?
While not working, I like to spend time with my wife and our three dogs doing a variety of outdoor activities like kayaking. We also love to travel, especially on cruises. Our family and friends are extremely important to us, and we try to travel back to Louisiana as often as possible to spend time with my little brother and four nieces and nephews who live there. One of my biggest passions in life is helping people, so I also dedicate my time as an active volunteer at the LGBTQ Center in Schaumburg.