Residents and co-workers alike who interact with Martha Gaitan-Manning, property manager at Burnham Pointe in Chicago, touts her passion, commitment and professionalism – and numerous industry groups agree. In fact, Illinois Real Estate Journal named her as a Property Manager of the Year finalist this year, and the properties she has managed have been recognized by ApartmentRatings.com with several prestigious Satisfacts awards, and Martha is also our July Employee Spotlight!

In her role at Burnham Pointe, Martha is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the property, ranging from maintenance to finances to resident relations. This is the fourth property Martha has worked at in her 12 years with Draper and Kramer, and she says she’s very much enjoyed the chance to wear so many different hats – and work with so many great people.Five women are sitting close together and smiling at the camera.

“The relationships I’ve formed through work are really special to me, to the point that some coworkers are even like family,” Martha says. “Everyone is so committed to the role they play in ensuring property excellence, and it’s inspiring to see how we lift each other up.”

Another aspect of working for Draper and Kramer that Martha appreciates has been the opportunity to further her education, earning her ARM (Accredited Residential Manager) and CPM (Certified Property Manager) designations during her time with the company. “DK provides a lot of options to learn and grow, and advance professionally,” she noted.

While the information she’s learned in earning her professional certifications has been very valuable, Martha says her undergraduate degree in psychology has also helped. “I’ve always been interested in people, why they think or act the way they do, and how we can better relate to each other. So that’s really well-aligned with my job and how it lets me connect with people around one of the most important things in their lives – their home.”A family of four stands together in a forest, smiling at the camera. Two adults are behind two children, with greenery and trees visible in the background.

In her free time, Martha keeps busy with her two children, Damian (8) and Emma (7), and spending time with her husband of 15 years, Matt. The Tijuana, Mexico native also enjoys traveling, though spends more time on family road trips these days, as opposed to the international travel she used to enjoy. She is also very actively involved in the Institute for Real Estate Management, serving on the DEI and IREM Cares committees.

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a light gray sweater over a pink collared shirt, stands in front of a window with an urban cityscape in the background.

Meet Martha Gaitan-Manning, our dedicated property manager at Burnham Pointe, and a Property Manager of the Year finalist. With 12 years at Draper and Kramer, Martha's passion for excellence and commitment to resident satisfaction have earned her multiple industry accolades.

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