With a remarkable four-decade career in real estate, Cindy Clare, Partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Bell Partners, embodies the company’s core philosophy: valuing every stakeholder. Her extensive experience informs her leadership, driving operational strategies that benefit residents, investors, and associates alike. Ms. Clare states, “Successful organizations value all of their stakeholders, without exception. Bell Partners reflects this approach in our focus on delivering results to residents, investors, and associates.” She proudly leads the operational framework, ensuring exceptional living experiences, strong investor returns, and a positive working environment throughout Bell Partners.
Joining Bell Partners in 2017, Ms. Clare plays a pivotal role on both the Executive and Investment Committees. Her oversight extends across a vast portfolio of approximately 85,000 apartment homes nationwide. Her responsibilities are comprehensive, encompassing all facets of community management for Bell Partners-owned properties and third-party managed communities. This includes community operations, meticulous maintenance, successful lease-up strategies, and fostering strong relationships with third-party owners. Furthermore, Ms. Clare spearheads Bell Partners’ Customer Experience initiatives – encompassing Marketing, Corporate Branding, and Customer Innovation – as well as Learning and Development, and Client Services.
Ms. Clare’s influence extends beyond Bell Partners, as she is a highly respected and sought-after figure in the multifamily industry. Her expertise is frequently showcased at national conferences where she speaks on diverse industry topics. Her contributions have been widely recognized through prestigious accolades. In 2011, The Washington Business Journal honored her as one of their “Women Who Mean Business.” Multi-Family Executive magazine further celebrated her impact in 2015, naming her among the “10 Most Influential Women in Real Estate.” The Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA) presented her with the Sidney Glassman Award, acknowledging her exemplary work and significant contributions to education, training, management, administration, and legislation within the field.
Her commitment to industry leadership is evident in her extensive involvement with professional organizations. Ms. Clare has served as President of AOBA and President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). She also held the position of Regional Vice President for IREM’s Region III. Currently, she shares her knowledge as a national faculty member at IREM and contributes to academia as a member of the Virginia Tech RPM Advisory Board. A pinnacle of her service was her chairmanship of the National Apartment Association (NAA) in 2017, culminating in her induction into the NAA Hall of Fame in 2022.
Ms. Clare’s distinguished career trajectory includes key leadership roles prior to Bell Partners. She served as President of Kettler Management, Vice President of Residential Properties for the Mark Winkler Company, and Senior Regional Manager for Charles E. Smith Residential. These experiences, combined with her degree from the University of Virginia, provide a robust foundation for her impactful leadership at Bell Partners. Her dedication and profound understanding of the multifamily sector continue to drive success and innovation for the company and the industry.
