Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, is proud to announce it has been named a 2019 Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune, marking the third consecutive year the full-service real estate firm has participated in the program and received this recognition. The annual Top Workplaces list is based on results of an employee feedback survey, administered by an independent research firm, that measures multiple aspects of workplace culture.
“Earning a Top Workplace award is particularly meaningful in 2019 because it follows an exciting period of transition at Draper and Kramer during which we welcomed a new CEO and introduced a new strategic direction for our company,” said Christine Ramsey, chief administrative officer for Chicago-based Draper and Kramer, which also includes residential mortgage division Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. “This recognition confirms that even as this 126-year-old firm continues to evolve, we have stayed true to our roots as a family-owned business that places a priority on supporting, caring for and engaging our employees.”
Honored in the category of midsize workplaces, Draper and Kramer is one of only a handful of real estate firms among the 150 companies and organizations named to the 2019 Top Workplaces list. It is also among the oldest companies recognized. Since its founding in 1893, Draper and Kramer has been a Chicago-area leader in residential and commercial acquisition, development, property management and leasing; commercial finance; and residential mortgage services. Today, the company has a presence in markets across the country.
“We love the feedback we receive from our employees through the Top Workplaces program, especially the valuable suggestions and thoughts on how we can continue to enhance our employee experience,” said Ramsey. “It takes ongoing effort and commitment to remain an employer of choice in this industry, and recognition like this signals that we are on the right path.”
Draper and Kramer Employees Receive Individual Industry Honors
In addition to the Top Workplaces corporate recognition, two Draper and Kramer employees recently received individual honors for their work in the industry. Kristen Alessi, property manager at Eleven Thirty, a Draper and Kramer-managed high-rise in Chicago’s South Loop, was named a recipient of the 2019 Connect Media Next Generation Award, a national program recognizing young leaders in commercial real estate. Additionally, Isabella Zach, leasing professional at 1350 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago’s Gold Coast, received a 2019 Chicagoland Apartment Marketing and Management Excellence (CAMME) Award from the Chicagoland Apartment Association in the category of Leasing Professional (Vintage Building).
“Our employees have always been the foundation of our success as a company, and so we are proud and gratified to see Kristen and Isabella recognized for their accomplishments and commitment to their respective positions,” said Ramsey. “They both exemplify the dedication and hard work it takes to not just succeed in this industry, but also to be impactful leaders for our firm.”
