Climbing the Ladder: From Leasing Manager to Leading Stateside

Since joining Campus Advantage in 2021, Lindsay Fulford has steadily worked her way up the ranks — starting as Leasing Manager, then Assistant Property Manager, and now proudly serving as Property Manager at Stateside in Bellingham, Washington. Her journey is a testament to the company’s dedication to promoting from within and fostering professional growth. With a passion for collaboration, a commitment to her team’s success, and a love for building community, she’s helping Stateside thrive while shaping a workplace culture that reflects the best of Campus Advantage.

Tell us a little bit about your current role and how long you’ve been with the company.

I am the Property Manager at Stateside in Bellingham, Washington. I’ve been here since February 2021, when I started out as a Leasing Manager.

What first attracted you to work for Campus Advantage?

I think what first brought me was a high-growth career path — there’s a lot of advancement potential. I experienced that right away as I started out as Leasing Manager and was promoted to Assistant Property Manager and now Property Manager. Some companies aren’t looking to promote within, but the path I’ve taken allowed me to pick up and learn a lot along the way as I went into each next role.

What is your professional background?

I first started working as a part-time leasing agent in the student housing industry at the property I lived at while going to Western Washington University, then ultimately applied to the Leasing Manager position with Campus Advantage after working there for a year.

What does a typical day look like in your role?

It’s a very collaborative environment. I like to meet with our office staff to see what they have going on for the week — events or social media, turn, anything we’re preparing for. I have a very open-door policy, and it’s allowed our whole team to be set up for success. We go over goals and, ultimately, I’m just making sure everything functions smoothly at the property and everyone is doing well.

What three words best describe you (inside or outside of work)?

I am very passionate, creative, and ambitious.

How would you describe the Campus Advantage culture?

It’s a very welcoming environment, very collaborative. I work alongside a lot of colleagues that aren’t in the same city, and being able to connect with other managers in the company is important to me. Teams allows us to have chats with Property Managers, Regionals, and even Vice Presidents, which is very helpful. I love being able to connect with everyone.

What is one of your favorite moments with Campus Advantage so far?

I would say my favorite has been seeing Stateside grow and being part of that. The community was still being built when I started, so seeing the growth and working with the first Property Manager allowed me to experience so much. She had a really strong grasp on the CA culture and expectations — seeing all of that applied to a lease-up and being part of it was really cool. We even got a view into the branding process with Catalyst and helped mold the culture at Stateside as a reflection of Campus Advantage.

Thinking about your most successful peers and teammates, what characteristics do they share?

Strong leadership, lots of confidence, and organization. I think having all of those are important when it comes to being a manager and having integrity. Every manager I’ve worked closely with had that sense of right or wrong, and making sure that they’re taking their property fully on their shoulders to do right by their team and residents. Having that expectation for everyone is important.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I’m a big reader. Right now, I’m reading alongside some of my friends and doing a book challenge. I like to challenge myself to read a handful of books a month.

If your life had a soundtrack, name some songs that would be on it?

One of my favorite summery songs is “Peaches” by In the Valley Below. Also, of course, ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” is a favorite. And lastly, I would add Post Malone’s “Laugh It Off.”