Stephanie Williams
With an undergraduate degree in community planning from the University of Washington and a master’s in urban planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, Stephanie Williams always thought she would work as a municipal planner. However, that vision shifted at the start of her career.
“I have always been very intrigued by the relationship between people and the built environment,” she says.
With a focus on urban planning and affordable housing in graduate school, she worked for Prince George’s County Department of Housing & Community Development as a graduate intern and then went on to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development. There, she had the opportunity to work on an affordable housing commission created by Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich and was part of a subgroup led by Tom Bozzuto, chairman and co-founder of The Bozzuto Group.
“My work in graduate school on affordable housing aligned nicely with the work Bozzuto was already doing,” she says. “I valued his perspective on the private sector’s participation in the preservation and creation of affordable housing. What he described energized me. I soon had aspirations for development work in the private sector where I, as well, could make a meaningful impact on individuals and families.”
A mentor connected Bozzuto with Williams, who was hired 90 days after her interview and has been there ever since.
She joined the company for a role in the development group in 2004 and then transitioned to the management company in 2008. In 2016, she became president of Bozzuto Management Co., one of the nation’s top property management firms.
Since taking the helm, she has grown the portfolio 60% from 50,000 units to 82,000 units with an estimated value of $26 billion. She helped the company expand to South Florida, where it is at 5,000 operating units with more than 2,000 units in the pipeline. And earlier this year, the company announced plans to expand operations to the West Coast.
“I see growth as a reward for delivering on our brand promise to create sanctuary for our clients, partners, and residents. Doing what we do well everyday has earned us the opportunity to expand nationally with a tremendous amount of support from our network of valued relationships. It’s a true honor,” she says.
In addition to the West Coast expansion, Williams says Bozzuto will be focused on developing its talent—a personification of its brand. It also will continue to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to drive its business as the needs of residents and employees evolve.
For Williams, the No. 1 reward for being part of the industry goes back to her interest in the relationships people have with space—having a hand in enhancing the communities where people live.
“The privilege of enhancing already rich communities and serving others is deeply rewarding,” she says. “Every day I’m inspired by my colleagues who care for and support one another, are committed to making the homes of our beloved residents their sanctuary, and endeavor to make this world a better, more inclusive place for all people. Leading them is one of my greatest blessings.”
