How do you stay busy outside of the office?
I love spending time outdoors—nature has always been my go-to reset button when I need to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether it’s the snow-covered mountains or the desert’s quiet beauty, I find peace and inspiration in exploring the outdoors. In 2025, I’ve set a personal goal to visit every national park in California. So far, I’ve checked off three, six more to go!
How do you stay motivated and motivate others?
My guiding principles for staying motivated are positivity and gratitude. Embracing these values has given me a fresh perspective on life, allowing me to find beauty in even the smallest moments. By practicing gratitude daily, I’ve learned to appreciate life’s simplicity and maintain a positive outlook. I believe leading by example is the best way to inspire others. By maintaining an optimistic attitude, I hope to pass on that energy to my peers, as positivity and motivation are truly contagious.
How do you stay motivated and motivate others?
Michelle: My guiding principles for staying motivated are positivity and gratitude. Embracing these values has given me a fresh perspective on life, allowing me to find beauty in even the smallest moments. By practicing gratitude daily, I’ve learned to appreciate life’s simplicity and maintain a positive outlook. I believe leading by example is the best way to inspire others. By maintaining an optimistic attitude, I hope to pass on that energy to my peers, as positivity and motivation are truly contagious.
What is your recent promotion?
I am excited to announce that I am now the Community Director at the charming North Upland Terrace Apartments. This quaint 62-unit community also includes the management of select local rental homes in Upland, Ontario, San Dimas, and Claremont.
What were you doing before Lewis?
Before joining Lewis, I worked as a Sales Manager for an international hotel chain. My responsibilities included managing existing accounts, setting up contracts for events, coordinating food tastings, and overseeing event logistics. I was also responsible for maintaining specific occupancy targets through group room sales and ensuring a seamless experience for clients while meeting revenue goals.
What were you doing before Lewis?
Michelle: Before joining Lewis, I worked as a Sales Manager for an international hotel chain. My responsibilities included managing existing accounts, setting up contracts for events, coordinating food tastings, and overseeing event logistics. I was also responsible for maintaining specific occupancy targets through group room sales and ensuring a seamless experience for clients while meeting revenue goals.
What do you do at Lewis and what does a typical day look like?
As a Community Director at one of Lewis’ residential communities, I oversee the day-to-day operations and ensure everything runs smoothly. My day begins with planning to prioritize key tasks and time-sensitive responsibilities. I start by walking the property and checking in with my Maintenance Supervisor to assess operations and explore ways to enhance the community. Throughout the day, I engage with residents, vendors, and prospects to address questions or concerns to ensure everyone’s needs are met. I also manage the business side of things, including processing invoices, conducting vendor follow-ups and meetings, and auditing property files. It’s a dynamic role that combines relationship management and operational excellence!
What has your career path looked like?
My career with Lewis began as a Roving Leasing Consultant (back when the position still existed) at Rosewood and Somerset Apartments. I took every opportunity to expand my knowledge by offering to cover other properties within and outside of my region, allowing me to learn from different managers and observe their unique approaches. I then transitioned to Linden Court as a Leasing Consultant, where I gained experience with a slightly larger community and a different property type—townhomes instead of apartment homes. After about a year at Linden Court, I was promoted to Assistant Community Director. This role gave me the opportunity to manage a small team and step in whenever my Community Director was unavailable. This experience was instrumental in sharpening my skills in accountability, decision-making, confidence, leadership, and time management, all of which have been invaluable to my growth at Lewis.
What makes a great leader? How do you define success in your role, and what drives you to achieve that success?
A great leader is someone who inspires others through empathy, accountability, and clear communication. They lead by example, remain approachable, and create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and grow. A great leader also listens actively and adapts to the unique needs of their team and community. For me, success in my role is defined by a well-maintained community, satisfied residents, and a cohesive, motivated team. Success also means fostering positive relationships with vendors, ensuring operational excellence, and achieving both short- and long-term business goals. What drives me to achieve success is my passion for creating meaningful experiences for residents and contributing to the overall success of my community. Seeing the positive impact of my work motivates me to continuously improve, learn, and inspire those around me.
What makes a great leader? How do you define success in your role, and what drives you to achieve that success?
Michelle: A great leader is someone who inspires others through empathy, accountability, and clear communication. They lead by example, remain approachable, and create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and grow. A great leader also listens actively and adapts to the unique needs of their team and community. For me, success in my role is defined by a well-maintained community, satisfied residents, and a cohesive, motivated team. Success also means fostering positive relationships with vendors, ensuring operational excellence, and achieving both short- and long-term business goals. What drives me to achieve success is my passion for creating meaningful experiences for residents and contributing to the overall success of my community. Seeing the positive impact of my work motivates me to continuously improve, learn, and inspire those around me.
Email Michelle directly at Michelle.Huerta@lewismc.com with any questions on
California National Parks or whatever else sparks your interest.
Jacki Rizo-Arana is the administrative assistant at Lewis Group of Companies. She enjoys fitness, outdoor adventures, and discovering new gourmet spots.