Here’s the 5th Edition of the Simply Camden blog series celebrating 13 inspirational Camden women. We were recently named #13 on Fortunes List for Best Workplaces for Women, and in this feature, we get to know Lexi Gibson in Denver!

From Rookie of the Year to Trusted Vet

I started as a leasing consultant for Camden in January 2015 in Englewood, CO.  There’s many things that have contributed to helping me get to where I am with Camden, but the main reasons I’ve gotten as far as I have are the resources Camden provides its employees like the CamdenU courses and workshops, and the encouragement given to me by my leaders. 

I worked in sales and customer service for 8 years but Camden is the first company I’ve worked for that really shows appreciation to its employees, teaches them, and does everything they can to help them grow and accomplish their goals.  Camden helped me sharpen the skills I already had and taught me so much more on top of that. 

I was always pushed by my managers to do better and take on challenges, and because of their encouragement I ended up getting the “Rookie of the Year” award at the end of my first year with Camden.  Since then I have become a Mentor with Camden, had opportunities to travel out of state to help out at other Camden Communities, and have been given the opportunity to be part of the team to open our brand new property Camden Lincoln Station in Lone Tree, CO.

Photo courtesy of Photo taken at Camden Glendale

You’re Not Alone When You’re With Camden

I can’t even begin to describe how much of a family everyone at Camden has been to me.  I ended up getting hit with a lot of medical issues that required frequent testing and bloodwork, surgeries, chemotherapy, and other stressful things that would interfere with work.  I don’t have any immediate family here in Colorado and my fiancé’s work schedule is completely opposite of mine, so I was afraid of how alone I would feel during all of this. 

I ended up with a flood of love and support by so many people in Camden, inside and outside of Colorado.  My managers have been so supportive and flexible with my work schedule, I’ve received cards and little gifts in the mail from coworkers, as well as supportive and motivational texts and emails.  Camden made sure I didn’t feel alone and still do to this day as I continue to push through this challenge.

Photo courtesy of Camden

The Bond with Residents is a Bond for Life

One of my favorite parts of the job are the relationships I get to build with our residents.  At the first property I worked at, we had a sweet couple and their dog living there.  They brought their dog in every day to say hello and he had the funniest personality.  They eventually had to relocate to a different area and moved out, but always kept in touch and still do. 

One day at the office I got an emotional phone call from them and they let me know that their beloved dog was not doing well.  They asked me to pass on the message to the rest of the staff and offered us to come say goodbye before he passed.  When I went to visit and say my goodbyes, they said how much they missed seeing us every day and how much it meant to them that we cared so much not only about them but also about their family pet.  To me there’s nothing more rewarding than that bond with our residents, even after they’ve moved out. 

Photo courtesy of Photo taken by Camden

I Get Out of Bed with a Smile

I have plenty of reasons to get up every morning and work hard.  Like most people would say, I want to be able to put bread on the table and provide for my family, of course -  but there’s so much more to it. 

I get up for the smile my job puts on my face every day and the positive environment I get to work in.  I get up for the friendly faces that greet me every morning when I walk in, for the constant push that’s given to me to succeed, and because I know that at the end of the day no matter what happens I’ll always have that support system that will help me get to where I want to be.

Read all about more of our 13 featured women, Kim Feliciano Ramirez, Ena Duarte, Kristen Peterson, and Elizabeth Bryson.