Leslie Dabi

EAH Housing

By Leah Etling on Dec 5, 2012 in People

Pathways to the world of property management are as unique as the people who travel them. For Leslie Dabi, an information systems manager for EAH Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer and management company, her road into the real estate realm began in college.

While studying French and international relations at UC Davis, Leslie took a part-time job at her own apartment complex. She quickly learned about the unique challenges associated with property management for student housing.

“We would do about 90 move outs and move-ins over a 2 day period during our turnover time – it was crazy!” recalled the Northern California native. “I remember working 18 hour days.”

After graduating from UC Davis, Leslie had originally planned to pursue a law degree. But after taking the LSATs and waiting for her applications to various law schools to be processed, another onsite position in property management came calling her name. Ultimately, she changed her mind about a lawyer lifestyle and decided to commit to a career in the real estate industry.

At EAH, a nonprofit company managing 9,300 units of affordable housing in California and the Hawaii islands, she has branched into new directions. In addition to handling technology project management, database administration, and software system integrations, Leslie provides onsite and offsite training for EAH staff, and oversees the Yardi & HUD/EIV Help Desk staff.

The people-focused housing corporation is committed to caring for those who live in its properties – who bridge all walks of life from seniors, families, students, people with disabilities, frail elderly and the formerly homeless – and fosters professional development among its employees as well.

“I can still relate to the onsite staff, because I worked in their positions, and I know what they go through,” Leslie noted. Wanting a more advanced background in information technology, she is pursuing a master’s degree in IT from Kaplan University with an emphasis on project management. The coursework ties up most of her free time, but Leslie said she is thrilled to be supported by her employer in the effort to advance her skills. She plans to finish her master’s coursework in 2013.

Spending time working on course assignments in the evenings also gives her the chance to hang out with Cali, her beloved two-year-old American bulldog. Rescuedat six months, Leslie tells her dog is her best friend. Cali joined the family around the Thanksgiving dinner table – and allowed her doting “mom” to dress her up as Wonder Woman for Halloween.

A big Bay Area sports fan who makes her home in the East Bay City of Hercules, Leslie loves the beach and will make the trek to various beaches around the Bay Area to enjoy sunshine and sand in the summer months. You won’t find her complaining about work trips to the EAH regional office in Honolulu, since she’s been able to extend her trips for some gloriousNorth Shore beach days.

Almost ten years after graduating from college, Leslie says she has no regrets that her anticipated career path didn’t turn out as planned. While her friends in law school are struggling with huge papers, projects and the stress of preparing for the bar, she’s building on her unexpected turn onto the property management parkway.

“I love my team that I work with, and I really enjoy working at EAH, and what they’ve given me,” she said.

 

Learn more about Leslie:

If you have an hour of free time to spare, what do you do with it?

Catch up on shows recorded on my DVR.

What kinds of food do you like?

Addicted to donuts and ice cream.  I love sushi!

What do you like best about your job? 

The people- I get to travel and work with a lot of staff.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A mom!!

Do you speak any other languages, and which ones?

French

What athlete or sports figure do you most admire?

Buster Posey….GO GIANTS!!!

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Time travel.