Five years ago, Dweck Properties began its first chapter, one centered on an idea that felt almost radical for the real estate world: build a company that starts on the inside. A company where values shape decisions, where people shape culture, and where every action, big or small, begins with the human at the center, what we now refer to as “The Human State.”

While Dweck Properties’ roots extend back more than 50 years as an owner involved in every kind of real estate, in 2020, the company stepped into active asset and property management.  The global pandemic became a defining moment, revealing a clear goal: to celebrate the humanity that binds us all.  By investing deeply in its people, properties, and residents, the company set out to build something better and more human–and the Dweck Properties management company was born.

Now, as Dweck reaches its fifth birthday, the throughline is unmistakable. This radical vision and radical approach held strong. The result of that focus?  Something rare: a company that feels like a community, a team that feels like family, and a business defined not only by performance, but by heart.

From the beginning, the goal was bold: to create a management company where human values weren’t symbolic, they were operational. As Senior Vice President of Property Management Lizzie Rivera reflects, “Every decision touches people’s lives, our teams, our residents, and the families connected to both.” That lens, she shares, means “listening more than speaking, showing grace, being transparent, and meeting people where they are.”

This idea of building “inside out” originated early. Chief Marketing Officer Mara Olguin remembers the clarity of that founding belief. “We imagined a brand that starts internally, in the hearts and spirits of our employees. By prioritizing empowerment over hierarchy and people over assets, our team members would provide extraordinary customer care and drive our business.”

It worked. Five years later, resident and employee retention sit well above industry benchmarks. But more importantly, a culture of care has become the pulse of the company. When you speak with people across Dweck, one theme repeats: the extraordinary happens in small moments.

Mara names them as the memories that stay with her: an engineer sleeping at a property through a heat wave to protect residents, a concierge walking with a blind resident from their apartment home every day, and a team member carrying a post-surgery resident down 14 flights of stairs. “It’s the everyday heroics that define who we are,” she says.

Chief People Officer Kathy Murphy sees it in thousands of daily interactions. “Not missing an opportunity to impact someone’s day by offering a smile, an authentic ‘How are you?’ or going the extra mile to check on someone. Our people inspire more goodness in each other by taking our values to heart and walking the walk each day. It’s what makes us special.” 

And for Chief Operating Officer Robert Vaughan, those moments have only reinforced the company’s core identity. “Throughout the past five years, we’ve dealt with pandemics, interest rate shocks, fires, floods, and we’ve been able to overcome all of it while consistently making decisions through the lens of our company culture. That commitment to our core values, even in very difficult times, is rare.”

That steadiness, no matter the circumstance, has become Dweck’s signature. Many leaders point to the pandemic-era launch as a defining crucible. Senior Vice President of Investor Relations Jeffrey Mullins recalls the challenge of building a people-centered company during a time of distance. “With the Dweck family’s vision focused on connectivity between people, it was undoubtedly a challenge. We started with our core values and expanded from there, so these principles infused everything that we did.”

Robert adds that, statistically, most startups formed during the pandemic era did not survive. “I am incredibly proud of the company’s, and each person’s, commitment to ensuring that the idea of Dweck Properties has continued to endure despite the challenges we have faced.”

For Kathy, the experience bonded the early team. “We worked ridiculous hours to meet our goals, and we bonded over the birth of our baby, Dweck Properties.” And for Lizzie, even joining later, the lesson is clear. “Clarity and alignment matter more than ever during seasons of change.”

Every leader spoke about the impact of being a family-owned business, not as a sentimental idea, but as an operating principle. Jeffrey captures it plainly. “Being a family business allows us to operate with deep care, not just for our people, but for our buildings. As long-term owners, we recognize the importance of investing deeply in what we own.”

Robert sees it as a strategic advantage. “A family business provides a contextual timeline that is inherently long-term. We’re not driven by quarterly performance, we’re driven by what creates long-term opportunity and value.”

Lizzie adds that this lens creates a sense of stewardship. “When a company is rooted in family, you think about legacy, impact, and doing right by people, not just quick wins.”

And Senior Vice President of Accounting Yolanda Lee describes the responsibility with honesty. “There is a big responsibility on our shoulders knowing that there is a family behind the structure. We want to preserve the Dweck family’s legacy.” That balance, people first and business smart, has become one of the company’s defining strengths. Across roles and across years, the learning has been constant. Yolanda says the most important lesson is understanding that “the obvious answer may not always be the right answer for Dweck.”

Kathy emphasizes how precious the culture is. “We’ve learned how easy it could be to lose the special thing we have. We must continually work to maintain it and grow it; it’s so precious to us.” Robert adds, “We are better together, and best when there is consistent alignment on where we are and where we are going.”

The next chapter carries both enormous opportunity and a renewed sense of purpose. Mara sees growth on every horizon, from reinvestment in existing communities to development and acquisitions. “And most of all, we see growth in our Dwecksters through new learnings and opportunities to develop personally and professionally.”

Lizzie is inspired by what’s unfolding internally. “We have incredibly talented people. Watching our service model evolve and strengthening the resident and employee experience energizes me.”

Kathy is excited about the expansion that honors past promises. “Our people have been patient. Achieving meaningful growth in any way feels like a promise kept.”

Yolanda sees a turning point. “After weathering rough waters in past years, the company is in a strong position. Now we can focus on strategic growth and take advantage of opportunities. The latter is just more fun.”

Five years in, the story of Dweck Properties is not defined by metrics, buildings, or milestones, though there are many. It’s defined by people, by values practiced not posted, by quiet moments of care, by resilience that showed up again and again, by an unwavering belief that doing the right thing is the smart thing. 

Here’s to five years of heart. And to the next chapter ahead. Happy Birthday to us, indeed!