Meet Tori Madilia: Building Relationships at Farmstead
Tori Madilia grew up nearly 2,000 miles from Billings, but the path that brought her to Farmstead is less random than it might seem.
After making the move to the Treasure State to be closer to her boyfriend, Tori got a career nudge from someone who knew her well. Her best friend back home happened to be a community manager and had a feeling she might enjoy property management. He encouraged her to give it a try.
“My best friend back home thought I’d do well at it,” Tori said. “He was right. I knew from the get-go I’d be a good fit here.”
Now serving as Assistant Community Manager at Farmstead Apartments and Townhomes, Tori has settled into a role that plays to her strengths. Showings, move-ins, and everything in between fill her calendar, but her focus tends to land in the same place: the people.
It’s those resident relationships that keep the work meaningful. Whether helping someone with a request or just chatting in the halls, the people she meets every day keep her energized.
“It’s always nice to get to know people and build a good rapport with them.”
When she’s not at Farmstead, Tori enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and is almost always working through a new book. Lately, that’s meant the Kindred’s Curse series by Penn Cole. She read the first three books in just two days and is already waiting on the series’ final release this September.
While Montana may be a long way from home, some things haven’t changed no matter the distance. Without major league teams nearby, Tori still keeps her loyalty close, cheering for anything Philadelphia, especially the Philadelphia Flyers. Let's Go Flyers!
This summer, Tori and her boyfriend Simon are planning a few trips back to her favorite places back home before they welcome their first child, a baby boy, later this fall.
Congratulations from the entire Collective team, Tori and Simon!
Lightning Round
- Coffee or energy drink: Coffee
- Early bird or night owl: Night owl
- Phone calls or texts: Phone calls
- Summer or winter: Summer
- Favorite Food: Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie
- Favorite Sports Team: Anything and Everything Philadelphia
Thomas Janis has been working in maintenance for nearly 8 years, learning as he goes and picking things up from the people around him. Today, he serves as a Senior Maintenance Technician at 10Bedrock Apartments in Box Elder, South Dakota. He is a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe , a revered culture known for a deep sense of responsibility to others. Spend just a few minutes around Thomas and you’ll quickly see what matters to him. “My culture is based on warriors helping the community strive,” he said. “I carry that into my work.”
Dakota Park isn’t new to Fargo. With a few thoughtful, resident-focused updates, it’s getting even better. The community first opened in 1996 and is noteworthy as one of the largest communities in Fargo, one of the first to feature underground parking, and one of the first to have an indoor pool. It’s no surprise that many residents have chosen to call Dakota Park for decades. It truly does have everything you need. It’s been a few months since we welcomed Dakota Park into the Collective portfolio, and it’s quickly become a favorite among our team. In that time, they’ve come up with some great ideas to make it even better.
Ryan Sullivan found his way into property management when opportunity and timing aligned perfectly. Like a lot of people in 2020, Ryan found himself looking for something new. His wife, knowing how good he was at fixing things, encouraged him to look into a role with Presbyterian Homes. What started as a maintenance position quickly turned into a career as he worked his way up to second in command at one of the largest senior living locations in the state of Minnesota. Today, Ryan serves as a Senior Maintenance Technician at ElseWarehouse and The Copham in Minneapolis’ North Loop.
Collective recently expanded its presence in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood when it added The Copham in March. The Copham is a historic warehouse turned apartment community located on Washington Avenue just down the block from Collective’s ElseWarehous e. With its modern-meets-industrial style and a location in the heart of one of Minneapolis’ most vibrant neighborhoods, The Copham is a natural fit for the Collective portfolio.
Giving back is not treated as an afterthought at Collective. Team are encouraged to spend time away from the office for causes that matter to them personally.
Collective is pleased to announce the addition of The Copham, a 120-unit apartment community located on Washington Avenue in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Discover 55+ independent living at Whispering Creek in Fargo. Enjoy underground parking, resident-led activities, and maintenance-free living. Schedule a tour today.
Inclusion is more than a performative buzzword for Kayla Goebel. She lives it. Kayla, creative strategist for Collective/Great States, was recently nominated for YWCA’s Women of the Year for Advocating for Equality. Kayla’s story isn’t about one big moment, but a thousand small ones that quietly (and permanently) changed lives for the better. A Life Rooted in Inclusion If you only looked at Kayla’s resume, you would assume she is busy (and you would be right). You would see Creative Strategist. Shop crew member. Small business owner. Volunteer. Student. Proud mom to Aurora.
More than 50 team members gathered for the fifth annual Collective Connect, reinforcing a shared commitment to our residents Collective team members from across the region came together in Downtown Fargo for this year’s Collective Connect, an annual event focused on engagement, learning, and strengthening connections across the organization. Attendees traveled from Billings, Montana; Watertown, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and the Twin Cities, Minnesota, with others joining remotely. Hands-On and Practical The two-day conference was impactful and memorable, with engaging activities, networking opportunities, and shared laughter. One of the most memorable moments day was an interactive role-switching exercise designed to simulate an accelerated “day in the life” of key roles across the company. Participants rotated through scenarios as maintenance technicians, support office team members, and community managers. “My favorite part was the simulation Jade and Jacinto designed,” remarked Sydney Schultz, an Operations Support Specialist. “Watching individuals assume unfamiliar roles was compelling. It illuminated how routine challenges for one position can feel entirely foreign to another, offering a sharper perspective on the nuances of each role.” The challenges required quick thinking, collaboration, and real-time problem solving. It mirrored many of the real scenarios, like unexpected maintenance requests, that team members experience every day in service of residents. “As someone newer to the company, it gave me a deep appreciation for what my coworkers experience in their jobs,” said Dirk Monson, content specialist with Collective. “You understand quickly how interconnected everything is.” The exercise reinforced a core truth within Collective: no role operates in isolation. Maintenance, management, marketing, development, accounting, and leadership all intersect to create a top-tier resident experience. A Shared Commitment to Residents
We are eager to welcome Neon Flats to the Collective family, further expanding our presence in Minneapolis, which is currently anchored by ElseWarehouse in the North Loop . The Center of Everything Neon Flats is situated ideally for a true urban lifestyle without being Downtown. It’s located at the corner of University Avenue and Hennepin Avenue in the Nicollet Island/East Bank neighborhood of the University community. The area, often called Downtown Northeast , is nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River. This highly desirable location offers close proximity to downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota. Residents are just steps from public green space along the Mississippi River, plus nearby Chute Square and Holmes Park. The neighborhood boasts over 50 restaurants, bars, and cafes within walking distance of Neon Flats. Some of our favorites: Dining Arturo’s Pizza Flamin’ Thai & Sushi Ichiddo Ramen Izakaya Cafes Northeast Tea House Pa Tea & Poke Parcelle Shopping Surdyk’s Kramarczuk’s West Photo Neon Flats boasts a Walk Score of 94 and a Bike Score of 96, making it easy to get around without a car. Residents also benefit from convenient access to public transit, with nearby bus routes and light rail connections providing easy access to downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, surrounding neighborhoods, and beyond. Life, Elevated While the location sets Neon Flats apart, the quality and care put into the community elevate the experience even further. Thoughtful design, modern finishes, and resident-focused amenities come together to create a place that feels both comfortable and intentional. Neon Flats is also a pet friendly community, welcoming residents and their dogs and cats. Neon Flats has 30 individual apartments, offering 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans . Access to dedicated off street parking is available via an enclosed skyway. The building also features controlled access for resident security and peace of mind. Inside, each apartment at Neon Flats offers modern finishes. Apartments feature granite countertops, modern appliances, and large, oversized windows that bring in abundant natural light. Each space is designed to feel comfortable, functional, and contemporary. A Great Addition "Neon Flats is a great addition to our portfolio and a natural fit for Collective," said Scott Houle, President of Collective. "Neon Flats' connection to the neighborhood matches how we intentionally craft places people are proud to call home. We are excited to welcome Neon Flats into the Collective family." We look forward to serving residents at Neon Flats and continuing to grow our presence in Minneapolis with communities that are well located, thoughtfully designed, and deeply connected to their neighborhoods.
