Donje Putnam

From Accidental Job to Purposeful Career: Donje Putnam’s Journey in Property Management

Like many people in property management Donje Putnam, ARM, RAM, Operations Coordinator at Kotarides Property Management, didn’t exactly plan to end up in the industry. With a degree in English Literature and no specific career path in mind, an opportunity came about thanks to a family connection. After a brief stint working as an Assistant Manager at a nearby property, Donje's father suggested giving leasing a try while she was in college.

That temporary leasing job turned into something more. Creating a community became a passion. Whether through helping someone find an apartment, planning resident events, or helping people feel they belong, property management felt like a natural fit for Donje.

Over the years, Donje picked up a little bit of everything, as is typical for property managers. Learning the ins and outs of plumbing, landscaping, paving, and roofing was just part of the job. Negotiation became second nature too, whether working with residents, vendors, or contractors. But it was marketing and technology that became one of Donje’s favorite parts of the role.

Before there were marketing tools to automate updates, she faithfully refreshed ads each month, carefully writing copy designed to connect with prospects. One proud moment was building a property’s first website. It wasn’t fancy, just a few property pictures and a phone number, but at the time, it felt like a big deal.

Donje’s innate curiosity has been a primary driver in her career path. Moving from a property management role to marketing, from regional leadership to learning and development at Kotarides Property Management; the quest to learn has always shaped her journey. A constant drive for increasing efficiency and reducing repetitive work has led her to find ways to use technology wherever possible Anytime there was a chance to simplify a process or create a shortcut, it felt like a win. Whether it was automating reports, setting up mail merges, or designing workflows, there was always space to try new ideas and find better ways to get things done. Donje’s curiosity led to an unexpected career shift. By combining technical skills with property management experience, she found a niche using her technical skills to make life easier for on-site teams (because she gets it!).

In addition to her role at Kotarides, Donje is active with the Virginia Apartment Management Association (VAMA). She advocates for the industry and supports local property management professionals. Her involvement with VAMA has provided an opportunity to connect with others who share her passion for multifamily housing and strengthen her commitment to making the industry better for both employees and residents.

Along the way, Donje has coached new leasing agents, supported teams through tough transitions, and helped colleagues build confidence in their roles. Seeing others grow and succeed, whether by mastering new skills, improving teamwork, or finding creative solutions, became one of the most rewarding parts of her career. Each person’s multifamily path is different, but all of Donje’s experiences, from helping residents through tough situations to simplifying complex processes, has reinforced one thing: for her, property management has always been about making life easier for others. The work isn’t always easy, but it’s always meaningful. And that’s what makes this industry feel like home.