Renee Savage ’88 CPM©, CCIM, A Shining Star in Real Estate

“People think that property management is about real estate, but it is not,” says Renee Savage ’88. It’s about creating positive experiences for the people that interact with real estate. Fresh landscaping, a beautiful new art installation or even the way that an on-site staff member opens the door for someone is what property management entails and I am honored that I get to have a part in making a positive impact in people’s lives each day.”

Like many, Savage did not pursue an interest in real estate until after she graduated from college. As she toured colleges throughout Southern California with another high school friend, the only thing she knew was that she loved business––something she learned from her father.

“When I was young, my dad would let me write checks when he paid bills every month before he signed them,” recalls Savage. “It is one of my favorite memories of my childhood because it taught me so much.” Savage, originally from the San Francisco Bay area, was taught early that education should not be taken for granted. Her father worked hard to ensure that she had access to education, because it was something that he did not have access to growing up.

Savage followed her father’s advice and worked hard throughout her college career. In her senior year, Savage landed an internship in the fashion industry––a field that she had not anticipated pursuing. A clothing design company, in its infancy, was seeking someone to help with operations. Savage applied skills she acquired from her business courses at the University of San Diego in her role. That company later folded and she found herself back at USD’s Career Center flipping through a binder full of job opportunities.

Savage came across Capital Growth Properties, a full-service real estate firm headquartered in La Jolla, and the job description with that firm jumped out at her. She landed an interview with USD alumna Jill Morton ’83 and was hired as an assistant property manager.

“When I interviewed Renee, she was fresh out of USD,” recalls Morton. “I could immediately detect that she was not only bright, eager and personable, but also had good business acumen which is what is most important in property management. It was Renee’s confidence which attracted others to her at industry events. It didn’t take long before she was accepted onto boards and later leadership roles.

Savage was quickly promoted to property manager and realized that she had found a niche in the real estate industry that she wanted to pursue. Savage shared that she attributes much of her early success to Morton, now senior vice president at Capital Growth Properties.

“Jill always went out of her way to invite me to join her for luncheons and seminars,” says Savage. “I was very inquisitive and I think Jill recognized that I was eager to learn from her and others in the industry.”

While Savage didn’t know it at the time, these very early interactions with real estate professionals and organizations, including the San Diego County Apartment Association (SDCAA) and Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), shaped the trajectory of her property management career. Savage continued to advance in her career at Capital Growth Properties and after three years, she was promoted to director of property management. She also realized that giving back to others went hand-in-hand with her success.

Starting the Student Outreach Committee at IREM San Diego, Savage reached out to colleges and college students in San Diego, including her alma mater, the University of San Diego. Students from these schools would often reach out to Savage for mentoring and informational interviews. These interactions with the student members of IREM led her to reconnect with her alma mater (USD) where she discovered a new place to make a big impact–– in the classroom teaching USD students. 

“Property management is not a field that most Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) students are interested in,” says Charles Tu, PhD, Daniel F. Mulvihill Endowed Chair, Real Estate Department and academic director of the MSRE program. “Even those in the field came to our program because they wanted to pursue other career paths (e.g., becoming an asset manager). Renee understands her audience. Rather than trying to train future property managers, she helps students understand the importance and value of good management from a property owner's perspective (like her clients).” 

Savage was honored to be asked to teach in the real estate program and shared that she leaves each class feeling energized and excited. “I get a lot of personal and professional growth out of the time I spend with the MSRE students and I feel that they teach me as much as I teach them,” says Savage.

John Demas, clinical professor of real estate at the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business, sees first-hand how Savage has made a significant impact. “Her influence supporting and encouraging USD’s women graduates has made a tangible difference in San Diego,” says Demas. “I cannot count the number of women whose career trajectories were transformed because she spent the time promoting commercial real estate career opportunities and demonstrating to the students that their skills were needed in the industry.”

Norm Miller, PhD, Hahn Chair of Real Estate Finance at the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business, echoes Demas’ sentiments. “Renee has been a great mentor to many in the industry, including my own daughter,” says Miller.

“Renee’s vast experience makes her an ideal industry professional to teach property management at USD,” says Morton. “She stays abreast of all the ever-changing laws and regulations.”

Savage recognizes that much of her success is traced back to people that she has networked with and concepts she has learned by being an active member of organizations, like IREM, where she now serves as president-elect.

“These organizations have so much to offer, not just by way of education but through networking,” says Savage. “It is an honor to be the president-elect of IREM and I am very excited about the initiatives that we are focused on going forward.”

Savage’s passion for supporting Next-Gens in the industry, led to the IREM’s Next-Gen CPM Leaders program. The program focuses on fast-tracking young professionals to obtain their Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation, which will create an opportunity on a multitude of levels. “This will help to add value to property management firms, will create a network for young professionals in the industry and will incorporate best practices from around the country, so it’s a win-win-win,” says Savage.

Savage sees many parallels between USD’s Knauss School of Business real estate students and the young members of IREM’s Next-Gen participants. “They are good people that have a passion for what they do every day,” says Savage. “As someone that spends a lot of time thinking about the future of the property management industry, it makes me feel very good about where we are headed.”