Key takeaways
What property managers can take from Vanessa’s approach
- On-site experience builds empathy. Starting as a resident property manager gave Vanessa a better feel for how issues escalate and a deep respect for anyone in a customer-facing role.
- Lead, don’t just manage. As a new manager, she kept a small portfolio of her own and learned how each team member prefers to communicate.
- Break big tasks into small steps. Vanessa keeps things simple by finding the first step, then working through the rest one piece at a time.
- Set expectations with residents. If an emergency means a request has to wait, tell the resident why, and when you will get to it.
- Repair or replace takes judgment. There is no formula, so her team weighs longevity, upgrade options, future-proofing, and how residents will be affected while work is done.
About the guest
VA
Vanessa Ambrose
Regional Manager, ONE Properties
Vanessa is a regional manager with ONE Properties in Calgary. Born and raised in India, she earned a master’s degree in Australia and moved to Calgary in 2013, where she started as an on-site resident property manager. She later spent more than five years in procurement, including as procurement manager, before moving back into operations with ONE Properties.
Episode summary
In this episode
Jared Sarbit talks with Vanessa Ambrose, a regional manager with ONE Properties in Calgary. Vanessa grew up in India, completed a master’s degree in Australia, and moved to Calgary in 2013, where a friend’s referral led to her first role as an on-site resident property manager.
Vanessa shares how she moved from on-site work into reception, customer service, and procurement, then back into operations as a regional manager. She explains how she leads her team, how her procurement background helps her work with vendors and clients, the metrics she watches most, and how her team decides whether to repair or replace.
She also covers the technology ONE Properties uses, from resident apps to AI-assisted security monitoring, her advice for aspiring property managers, and what she looks for in a janitorial partner.
Chapters
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:05Introducing Vanessa Ambrose
- 1:22From India and Australia to Calgary
- 5:27Moving from on-site to corporate
- 6:47Leading, not managing
- 8:47Traits behind her success
- 11:26How procurement experience helps operations
- 14:08Who ONE Properties is
- 15:13Metrics that matter
- 17:19Repair or replace?
- 20:11Trends: AI and smart buildings
- 22:46Technology in day-to-day operations
- 26:37Advice for aspiring property managers
- 28:42Turning around a delayed project
- 31:40What she looks for in a janitorial company
- 33:44The property she would love to manage
Jump to a chapter (16)
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:05Introducing Vanessa Ambrose
- 1:22From India and Australia to Calgary
- 5:27Moving from on-site to corporate
- 6:47Leading, not managing
- 8:47Traits behind her success
- 11:26How procurement experience helps operations
- 14:08Who ONE Properties is
- 15:13Metrics that matter
- 17:19Repair or replace?
- 20:11Trends: AI and smart buildings
- 22:46Technology in day-to-day operations
- 26:37Advice for aspiring property managers
- 28:42Turning around a delayed project
- 31:40What she looks for in a janitorial company
- 33:44The property she would love to manage
From the conversation
Transcript excerpts
I think it’s very important… for everyone to come together, learn a little bit about what every team is doing and how we can best support each other.
Vanessa AmbrosePlay from 0:41
I’ve always believed you know treat others like you would want to be treated.
Vanessa AmbrosePlay from 7:52
Don’t over complicate. Divide and conquer is how I like to think of it.
Vanessa AmbrosePlay from 10:23
Need a cleaning team that can handle last-minute tours?
We’ll walk your building with you and send a written cleaning scope and price. Free, no obligation.
Read the conversation
Full episode transcript
Show transcript
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FAQ
Questions about this episode
What is ONE Properties?
ONE Properties is headquartered in Edmonton and has about 48 million square feet developed or under development since 1987, with 16.9 million square feet under management. Its services include acquisition, development, asset management, property management, and leasing across industrial, multi-family, retail, and mixed-use assets.
How do property managers decide whether to repair or replace?
Vanessa Ambrose says there is no set formula. Her team looks at the pros and cons of each option, how long it will last, whether to replace like for like or upgrade, how to future-proof the space, and what interim arrangements residents will need.
What does Vanessa Ambrose look for in a janitorial company?
She asks bidders to walk the building so expectations are clear from the start. She looks for high standards, a team large enough to maintain the building, openness to feedback, and quick response when a last-minute tour comes up.
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