At Fitch Irick, the strength of our work begins with the people behind it. Recently, our team came together for Ladies Celebrating Ladies, a special event created to celebrate the women whose leadership, experiences, and perspectives help shape our organization.
The gathering offered an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, connect with one another, and reflect on the many ways women across Fitch Irick contribute to our culture and our mission. It was a meaningful reminder that strong teams are built not only through collaboration, but also through genuine connection.
Celebrating the women of Fitch Irick
Ladies Celebrating Ladies created space for conversation, shared experiences, and appreciation. It also highlighted something that is already deeply present across Fitch Irick: the value of bringing people together in a way that strengthens both relationships and purpose.
That spirit carries directly into the work we do in affordable housing, property management, and our impact. Every role across the organization contributes to a broader mission of supporting communities through safe, quality housing and thoughtful service. Events like this help reinforce the people-first culture behind that work.
Inspired by Her Story Spotlight
The event also inspired Fitch Irick’s Her Story Spotlight series, which highlights women across the company through their own words and experiences. These stories offer a more personal look at the people behind the work while showing that leadership, motivation, and career growth can take many forms.
Together, the spotlights reflect a shared sense of purpose, while also celebrating the unique paths, personalities, and perspectives that make Fitch Irick stronger.
Different journeys, shared purpose
Some of the women featured in the series reflected on the mentors, opportunities, and life experiences that helped shape their careers.
Caroline Hill shared how encouragement from a female manager helped guide her toward accounting, a decision that later opened the door to a career in IT. Christina Staab Ford reflected on a path shaped by curiosity, growth, and a willingness to raise her hand for new opportunities, which ultimately led her to people operations and human resources.
These stories are reminders that careers are not always linear. Sometimes the most meaningful paths are shaped over time through learning, openness, and the confidence to take the next opportunity.
Leadership that serves communities
Other spotlights spoke directly to the purpose behind the work.
Anderea Gonzalez shared that what continues to inspire her is the impact of affordable housing on individuals and families, and the opportunity to be one part of a larger solution. Nicole Burt reflected on the importance of supporting the teams who serve communities every day. Lisa Poore shared that although affordable housing was not her first career path, it became deeply meaningful once she saw firsthand how many people could be helped through the work.
Their stories reflect something central to what we do at Fitch Irick: this work is about more than operations and development. It is about people, stability, opportunity, and the long-term strength of communities.
Advice worth carrying forward
A powerful part of the Her Story Spotlight series is the advice these women shared for others entering their fields.
Marie McCarthy emphasized the importance of seeing yourself as a strategic partner, continuing to build your skills, and advocating for your value. Liz Cicirello encouraged a mindset of adaptability and focus, especially in roles that require balancing many priorities. Kathi Cota offered a simple but meaningful reminder not to let mistakes stop you, but to push through them and learn from them.
Adi Adair shared an equally encouraging message: believe in yourself, stay focused, remain resilient, and trust that your hard work will pay off.
Taken together, their reflections celebrate many different forms of leadership, from vision and discipline to service, adaptability, creativity, and quiet consistency.
A culture strengthened by connection
What makes Ladies Celebrating Ladies especially meaningful is that it connects personal stories back to company culture. It reflects the kind of workplace Fitch Irick continues to build, one where people are encouraged to grow, supported in their contributions, and recognized for the value they bring.
That culture strengthens our teams, and stronger teams are better equipped to support the residents, partners, and communities connected to our properties and the work we do across the organization.
It also helps show why investing in people matters. When people feel seen, valued, and connected, they bring even more care, energy, and purpose to the work ahead.
Looking ahead
At Fitch Irick, celebrating women means more than recognizing titles or milestones. It means honoring the insight, leadership, creativity, discipline, and care that women across the organization bring to their roles every day.
Ladies Celebrating Ladies was a chance to do exactly that. It celebrated the women who help move our work forward, while creating space to listen, connect, and reflect on the experiences that shape both careers and culture.
As the Her Story Spotlight series continues, this event remains a meaningful reminder that stronger teams and stronger communities grow from the same foundation: people who feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute. That is part of our impact, part of what we do, and part of what continues to guide Fitch Irick’s work in affordable housing.