Parker also serves as chair of IREM Boston Metropolitan Chapter DEI Committee
The Institute of Real Estate Management® (IREM®) Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4 is proud to announce that Kimberly Parker, CPM®, C21P, COS, who has served as the chapter’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Chairperson over the last several years, was recently named chairperson of the national organization’s Diversity Advisory Board. The position became official at the beginning of the year.
Parker, who is a senior property manager for the Abrams Management Company, originally joined IREM with the goal of earning her Certified Property Manager (CPM) credential just over three years ago. Soon after joining, she found herself on the chapter’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, and took on the role of chair.
Parker found inspiration for various committee initiatives based on her own experience. “I realized that my career had allowed me to turn my situation around,” she said. “Because of my job, I was able to pull my family out of poverty, and I wanted to do what I could to help other young folks like myself.” Along with committee members Pietrina “Patty” Staples and Ka-Ling Flynn, Parker started attending career fairs and visiting community colleges and high schools to talk about a career in property management. They made connections with teachers and professors, and they asked their fellow IREM Boston members to share job openings, which they then passed along to potential candidates.
Parker adapted to the restrictions caused by the pandemic by sending notes to new members and to anyone earning a professional designation within the organization on behalf of the committee, making each individual feel connected, welcome, and part of something bigger. Currently, she’s collaborating with other organizations throughout the commonwealth to rework a minority training program for property managers, something she hopes to eventually be able to expand to the national level.
“Kimberly is an incredible representation of what our organization offers,” said Melissa Fish-Crane, 2021 president of IREM Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4 and principal and COO of the Peabody Companies. “Because of Kimberly’s efforts, IREM Boston is a more inclusive organization. We know it’s important to have a diverse array of people as our members, but it’s just as important to make sure everyone feels welcome and included in the conversation. Kimberly’s impact on the national level will be even greater, and I can think of no one better suited for the position – congratulations to her on this momentous achievement and well-deserved recognition!”
About the Institute for Real Estate Management®, Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4
IREM® is an international institute for property and asset managers (headquartered in Chicago) providing complete knowledge to take on real estate management’s most dynamic challenges. For more than 85 years, IREM has been the world’s strongest voice for all things real estate management; today membership encompasses close to 20,000 leaders in commercial and residential management.
IREM Chapters are independently incorporated, organized groups working in partnership with IREM headquarters to advance the institute’s strategic initiatives and grow the real estate management profession. They offer local connection, continuous learning through IREM courses, networking via business or social events, and volunteer opportunities through chapter leadership and community outreach.
The Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4 was founded on May 4, 1938. The growth of the chapter has paralleled the expansion of the real estate industry and the property management profession in its region of influences, and is now the largest chapter of the organization. Melissa Fish-Crane serves as the chapter’s 2021 president. Offices are located at 202 Parke Avenue, Quincy, MA 02171. For more information, please call 617-436-7565, email iremboston@iremboston.com, or visit www.iremboston.org.
