Body builder Korianne Jackson commands attention on the competition stage, but as regional manager at Spokane-based Douglass Properties, she prefers to put the spotlight on her team instead.

Jackson describes herself as a humble leader, whose ambition, professionalism, and drive have been key components of her longtime career at the company, which was supported by Douglass Properties' late owner Harlan Douglass, who became an ardent mentor before his passing in 2023.

Jackson, 36, has been promoted four times during her 15-year tenure at the commercial and residential property management company, and she's held the regional manager position for the last seven years. 

Deanna Malcom, CEO at Douglass Properties who nominated Jackson as a Rising Star, says, "Korianne is very goal driven. ... Our owner Harlan trusted in her and taught her, and she was always so eager to learn."

As a new mom looking for work, Jackson says she stumbled into the property management industry 15 years ago and fell in love with the opportunity to earn a living by working with people to find a new home.

Jackson joined Douglass Properties in 2010 as an assistant manager at the Graymare Crossing Apartments, a 167-unit apartment complex in north Spokane, where she was responsible for helping potential residents in their apartment search.

"I think that's where I really found my passion," Jackson says. "When I was given an opportunity to help people find a home, it really burned my fire. I loved that."

After a year, she was promoted to onsite resident manager at a couple of apartment communities, where her responsibilities grew to include managing upkeep and maintenance, rent collection, and resident management of the properties. 

In 2013, Jackson was promoted again to work in the company's corporate office, where her duties transitioned to administrative work for the business. 

Malcom started working with Jackson when the two women both were in assistant roles at the company's headquarters about 10 years ago, Malcom recalls.

Jackson's coworkers describe her as a humble and empathetic leader who loves learning and knows when and how to have fun, says Malcom.

"She's fair and kind and stern when she needs to be ... and she's always able to find solutions," says Malcom. "Everyone who works with her looks up to her in that way."

However, Jackson is hesitant to take credit for her successes and praises her colleagues for their dedication and support.

"It's definitely hard to think of yourself as an individual when you truly think about yourself as part of a team," Jackson says.

Jackson was an assistant regional manager for about three years. In her corporate role, she helped oversee 1,700 units and helped create company policies for Douglass Properties, she says. 

She began working directly with Harlan when he promoted her to regional manager. In that role, she's responsible for an eight-person team and the entire residential portfolio for the company.

"Harlan was an awesome sounding board for me, even if my idea was the craziest idea ever," Jackson says. "He used to always give me the 'Good for you, kiddo,' and I still work hard for those moments of feeling that pride in my work."

Jackson's team currently includes four resident managers and four leasing agents.

"I oversee and I'm responsible for everyone's success ... whether it's personal or professional," adds Jackson. "It was super easy for me to step into that (role) because I love knowing that I'm helping people."

Jackson says that she's a lifelong learner and has earned credentials as a certified apartment manager and a certified apartment portfolio supervisor through the National Apartment Association.

She plans to continue expanding her property management credentials through upcoming learning opportunities at the Institute of Real Estate Management later this year or in 2025.

Jackson's compassionate leadership style is attributed in part to her upbringing on the West Plains. She is the youngest of 14 siblings and grew up taking care of animals before she graduated from Medical Lake High School. She currently resides in Rathdrum with her husband, teen son, and two dogs, and the family enjoys outdoor hobbies such as fishing and hunting in their spare time. 

Jackson also is an accomplished body builder who achieved professional status with the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness Professional League, in 2023, she adds.

The variety of roles she's held at Douglass Properties has set up a future career full of possibilities, she says. Some day, she envisions owning her own properties to manage.

"Douglass Properties definitely gave me all of those opportunities and put some insane trust into a girl who started as a leasing agent. Who I am today was molded by Douglass Properties," says Jackson.