We’re proud to announce that our very own Jennifer Ruelens has been selected as a 2025 Leading Woman in Property Management by the NARPM Women’s Council of Property Managers!
Jennifer is one of twelve women to receive this award from NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers), the premier trade organization of residential property managers.
As part of the program, she was invited to share her career story. We want to share that story with you:
Jennifer Ruelens is the Broker/Owner of One Focus Property Management and the visionary behind Hold It With PM Jen. Based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Jennifer got her start in property management back in 2004. Fresh out of college, she launched her own business. After it failed within a year, she pivoted into leasing at a 300-unit multifamily community. Her natural talent for sales propelled her into a property manager role within months, and from there, she found her lane.
Jennifer’s early years in leadership were filled with lessons. Promoted at just 23, she quickly realized that managing people required a different skill set than managing properties. Motivated to grow, she pursued leadership training, earned her MBA, and eventually discovered EOS and Traction. These systems transformed how she led and helped her scale her business.
In 2014, a year after starting her company, Jennifer joined NARPM in search of connection. She found not only fellowship but a path to leadership. She founded the Pennsylvania chapter, has served on national committees, and helped shape the future of the organization through the Leadership Development Task Force and the Women’s Council of Property Managers.
Her leadership philosophy centers on responsibility, both to the mission and to the team. She focuses on setting direction and building the systems her people need to thrive. While one-on-one coaching isn’t her favorite part of the job, Jennifer’s structure-driven approach creates clarity, autonomy, and momentum.
Jennifer believes women bring unique strengths to property management, especially in risk assessment, multitasking, and balancing multiple stakeholders’ needs. Combined with emotional intelligence and strong communication, these traits make women unstoppable in the industry.
Though she never had a single long-term mentor, Jennifer credits the many colleagues and NARPM peers who offered wisdom and perspective along the way.