Lead by service, efficiency, and innovation
Ms. Tiffany Butcher joined Elme Communities in July 2023 and serves as Executive Vice President and COO. In this capacity, she is responsible for guiding the company’s operating strategy, advancing and implementing operational improvements and aligning the day-to-day operations and asset management with the strategic goals set by the CEO and Board of Trustees. Prior to joining Elme Communities, Ms. Butcher held various positions at JBG SMITH Properties since 2007. She was named JBG SMITH’s…Read full bio
Mr. Bob Fisher joined Elme Communities in December 2007 and was named Controller in February 2023 and Vice President in 2026. In this role, he oversees all accounting functions, including property and corporate accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, payroll, financial reporting, and REIT compliance. Before joining Elme Communities, Mr. Fisher was a financial analyst at Freddie Mac from 2005 to 2007. His earlier experience spans public accounting and the pharmaceutical industry. From 1995 to 1999,…Read full bio
Mr. Drew Hammond joined Elme Communities in October 2012 and serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, a position he has held since March 2026. In his current capacity, he oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, facilitates corporate strategic planning, and provides input for strategy and companywide goal setting. He also oversees the accounting, finance, investor relations, human resource, legal and treasury functions. Prior to joining Elme Communities, he…Read full bio
Laurel Howell joined Elme Communities in January 2024 as Senior Director of Brand and Marketing. With over 24 years of experience in multifamily real estate, Laurel specializing in branding, digital marketing and business development. Laurel has held progressive leadership roles in marketing at leading management companies such Charles E. Smith, Archstone, Kettler Management and Bell Partners. Known for developing innovative marketing solutions and leading cross-functional teams, Laurel is a results-driven marketing executive with a proven…Read full bio
Mr. Paul Levine joined Elme Communities in March 2004 as Assistant Controller. In December 2026, he was named Senior Director of Financial Information Systems. In his current capacity, he is responsible for all aspects of financial system configuration, maintenance, and reporting. Prior to joining Elme Communities, he served as a Regional Controller at AIMCO, a diversified real estate investment company, from 2003-2004. Before joining AIMCO in 2003, Mr. Levine was Controller at the Maryland office…Read full bio- Mr. Paul T. McDermott was elected to the Board of Trustees and named President and Chief Executive Officer of Elme Communities in October 2013. Prior to joining Elme Communities, he was Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Rockefeller Group Investment Management Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. from June 2010 to September 2013. Prior to joining The Rockefeller Group, he served from 2006 to 2010 as Principal and Chief Transaction…Read full bio
Efrem Reid joined Elme Communities in April 2023 as Vice President, Human Resources. He has overall responsibility for the strategic operations of the Human Resources functions of Elme to ensure that practices exist to attract, retain, develop, reward, and recognize talent. He leverages these practices to support company-wide strategic objectives. Efrem has over 25 years of Human Resources experience in industries such as advertising, commercial real estate, healthcare, hospitality and residential real estate. Prior to…Read full bio
Whitney Russell joined Elme Communities in September 2018 and has held a variety of roles within the organization before serving in her current position as Vice President of Asset Management. Whitney is responsible for overseeing community budgeting and forecasting, optimizing revenue management, and driving the development of asset positioning and renovation strategies across the multi-family portfolio. Prior to joining Elme Communities, Whitney served as Manager of SEC Reporting at JBG Smith, where she honed her…Read full bio- Lalitha Suresh joined Elme Communities in 2023 and serves as a Senior Regional Community Manager. Lalitha began her multifamily career in 2003, and has overseen performance for lease-up, stabilized, and mixed-use assets in major markets throughout the East Coast. She holds expertise in developing leasing and resident retention strategies, forecasting budgets, generating detailed financial reports, optimizing pricing, administering programs to minimize resident delinquency, implementing revenue management systems, conducting site visits and property inspections, analyzing market…Read full bio
Mike Sweeney joined Elme Communities in March 2011 and has since built an extensive career within the organization, holding various roles in the IT department before serving in his current position as Senior Director of IT Operations. Leading a skilled and innovative team, Mike is responsible for managing the company’s entire technology infrastructure, supporting both corporate operations and its geographically diverse communities. His expertise spans multiple facets of IT, with a strong emphasis on ensuring…Read full bio
Kristen VanHaaren joined Elme Communities in 2023 and is responsible for leading strategic initiatives for the residential portfolio. With over 25 years of experience in multi-family, Kristen brings a combination of cross-disciplinary leadership strength, deep operational knowledge, and versatility to the changing multi-family landscape. Kristen is passionate about innovative solutions to improve community operations and process efficiency, while maximizing revenue and controlling costs. Before joining Elme, Kristen held various roles and portfolio leadership for REITS…Read full bio
Sandra Colareta joined Elme Communities in April 2022 and serves as Senior Director of Risk Management. In this capacity, she is responsible for risk analysis, mitigation strategies and building programs that enhance asset protection. Sandra has nearly 20 years of Risk Management experience in various industries, including real estate, hospitality, and marketing. Prior to joining Elme Communities, Sandra served as the Vice President of Contracts & Risk Management for Indigo Golf Partners, overseeing all legal…Read full bio
Holding stakeholder interests high
We are committed to robust corporate governance. Our eight-member Board of Trustees has responsibility for broad corporate policy and oversight of management to enhance long-term shareholder value.