Lauren Taylor
Chief Executive Officer / Founder / Broker-In-Charge
With over 10,000+ real estate transactions under her belt, Lauren is the driving force behind the Realty Haven+ Rent Haven mission - to revolutionize the real estate and property management industries by educating, advising, and advocating for each party we represent in every real estate transaction.
Lauren has worked endlessly to become a real estate market expert in the southeast. Her broad knowledge and unconventional approach has provided the opportunity to create a fully-vertical real estate business that operates in various markets by managing acquisitions, renovations, dispositions, and property management processes. Lauren’s experiences in the real estate arena opened her eyes to the affordable housing crisis which led to her found and serve as a board member of Haven Home.
Website: HavenHome.org
Jennifer Gunnels
Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer is our leading industry expert with over 26 years of Property Management, Development, Construction, and Asset Management experience in Single Family Residential, Multi-Family Residential, Commercial, Student Housing, and Medical Office Property Management and Construction.
She offers a diverse background including new take-over transitions of over 82,000+ units/new development construction and repositioning of 65,000+ units. Jennifer’s hands-on approach allows her to be exceptionally involved with each asset’s journey. While Jennifer offers our team vast experience in almost every aspect of asset and property management, her true passion is to empower others by coaching and encouraging her tribe to achieve their highest potential.
Jennifer is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, a Carolina native, a devoted wife to Thomas and mother to Taylor, and a proud founding board member of one of her greatest passions, Haven Home. Jennifer’s desire is to live her legacy every single day.
Millie
Chief Morale Officer
As the Chief Morale Officer, Millie has several daily tasks that assist in keeping our Tribe happy and on track. She is proficient in excessive face-licking, escaping and exploring the office, and bringing a smile to everyone she meets.
Millie has been a loyal Haven Tribe member since Thanksgiving of 2019, and has loved every single second she gets to spend at work. Her favorite activities include sitting in Tribe members' laps as they work, playing a good game of fetch, and the occasional playdate with other Tribe members' furry friends. Millie takes her job very seriously, and sometimes leaves her toys in Tribe members' offices as a gift and reminder that she loves them.
Julia Flowers
Director of Marketing & Business Development
As the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Realty Haven and Rent Haven, Julia uses her greatest strengths of strategic problem-solving and intentional planning to drive the marketing and development success of both companies.
Julia fuels her creative spirit through the design and implementation of strong brand development and identity for every property we represent. Additionally, she serves as Realty Haven’s in-house licensed real estate analyst for the Acquisitions division, overseeing onboarding, transactions, and each partnership with our clients.
Julia graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in 2017, and pursued a two year commitment with the AmeriCorps program, Teach For America, immediately following graduation. In 2019, Julia returned to her home state of South Carolina, and joined the Realty Haven tribe.
Stephanie Lucas
Director of Operations & Investor Realtions
Stephanie is a visionary leader with exemplary communication and management skills with a knack for directing daily operations in a growth-minded direction.
As the Director of Operations for Rent Haven, she leverages her leadership and teamwork skills in order to ensure that all operational objectives are met in a timely manner. Stephanie focuses on continuously developing innovative strategies to establish a strong, cohesive, flow of communication between divisions.
Jennifer Novoa
Director of Property Management
Jennifer has 20+ years of property management experience in the Single Family and Multi-Family Residential arenas including Student Housing, LIHTC Sector, and New Construction. As the Property-Manager-In-Charge she oversees the engineering of property set ups, implements strong operational plans, and develops strategies to promote the achievement of optimum operational, financial, and business performance of the properties managed by Rent Haven.
Mike Alkire
Director of Maintenance & Project Management
Mike is a native of Long Island, New York, but has called South Carolina homes for the last 10 years. Mike has over 15+ years of experience in the maintenance field. As the Director of Maintenance & Project Management, Mike carefully orchestrates all aspects of maintenance including vendor relations, weekly cost-saving analysis, insurance and liability, and resident satisfaction surveys for Rent Haven. He has vetted and established a trusted vendor network in several markets across the southeast, and continuously works to develop cost-effective strategies to remediate any maintenance issues that may occur.
Allison Hager
Financial Controller
Allison manages and tracks the performance of invested assets by providing financial analytics to our organization. One of her greatest passions is to direct and streamline practices with each department’s leadership to develop consistent and effective operating procedures as it relates to our company and client’s finances.
Allison has a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and offers over 25+years of experience in directing financial audits and providing recommendations for financial procedural improvements. With extensive experience in developing financial plans, budgets, and forecasting, she offers incredible fiduciary depth to the Rent Haven tribe.
Yahaira Vega
Assistant Director of Property Management
Yahaira serves as the Assistant Director of Property Management at Rent Haven, and offers a vast experience of over 11+ years in the Single-Family Residential and Multi-Family Residential industries of property management. She is responsible for oversight of every aspect of the leasing department including applications, leasing, resident retention, and the move-in and move-out processes.
Yahaira is bi-lingual and offers a broad spectrum of dialect to accommodate all of our customers. She successfully leads the leasing team with a clear and organized daily strategy, and proactively adjusts processes to create more efficiency and productivity in closing results.
Erica Tucker
Compliance Supervisor
Erica always desired to work in the real estate industry, so after 18 years of employment with SC Dept. of Transportation as a Supply Specialist she decided to follow her passion and pursue a career in real estate. Erica found herself in the property management field and was hired as an assistant manager for Volunteers of America from 2007-2009 for several Columbia Housing Authority Tax Credit communities.
In 2009 she joined InterMark Management Corporation as an assistant manager for 3 tax credit communities. Erica has 14+ years of experience in property management in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit sector, and currently serves as the Compliance Specialist for our Rent Haven Tribe.
Markas Brunson
Property Manager
Markas brings several years of experience in asset management, sales, and nonprofits to our Rent Haven tribe. He has an extensive background in managing and developing small teams, providing rapid problem solving, and balancing and prioritizing numerous projects with close attention to detail. After graduating from Guilford College in 2010 Markas found his niche in the residential real estate industry.
He has overseen Property Management in Alabama, worked as Director of Marketing and Outreach for J Alexander in the Washington, D.C. & Baltimore markets, and as a Digital Advertising Consultant for Costar and Apartments.
Evelyn Edwards
Senior Property Manager
Evelyn has over 15+ years experience in the property management industry, with her primary focus in the affordable housing sector specializing in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit property management. She is our Senior Property Manager who has concern for both sides of the equation, from residents to board members.
She is highly skilled in property management operations, and has many certifications including Specialist in Housing Credit Management (NAHMA), Site Compliance Specialist, and Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). Evelyn’s goal is to achieve the highest possible net operating income by implementing cost control and revenue improvement programs.
Kristin Pate
Director of Acquisitions / Transaction Coordinator
Kristin joined the Realty Haven tribe in 2018, and has been instrumental in the establishment of the company’s proprietary acquisition platform. As the Director of Acquisitions for Realty Haven, she oversees the daily operations of the acquisitions department, and ensures streamlined processes for all real estate transactions.
Kristin has proudly been involved in over 2,200+ successful offer-to-contract completions with over 1,700+ converted closings. Her motivation to close deals is contagious, and has positively impacted the trajectory of the company’s growth since day one.
She is a loving dog mom, an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan, and the youngest of 7 siblings. Our Alabama girl proudly calls Lexington, South Carolina her home now, and enjoys spending time with family every weekend.
Jillian Dupre
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Jillian is a leading force on our Realty Haven brokerage sales team. She is highly experienced in the real estate industry in South Carolina and brings her best to the table during every transaction. Her personal attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and need to provide excellent customer service make the home buying and selling process feel smooth and effortless for her clients. Jillian top priority is to listen and understand each client’s needs, and to be efficient and intentional in helping them craft a strategy to best accomplish their goals.
Cicily Jackson
Accounting Assistant
Cicily is the Listings Specialist for Realty Haven, LLC and is responsible for overseeing the listing process for all properties. In addition to managing each listing, she assists in facilitating agent communication throughout the acquisitions and dispositions processes.
Cicily is a South Carolina native and mother to her beautiful daughter, Stella.
McKenzie Connor
Executive Coordinator
McKenzie serves as the Executive Coordinator and is heavily invested in the daily operations of both Realty Haven and Rent Haven. She has excellent customer service and communication skills, and brightens every tribe member’s day with her friendly smile and spirited attitude.
McKenzie is originally from Holly Hill, SC, but has been a proud Columbia resident for 8 years. She was previously an Administrative Assistant for Michael Baker International and a flight attendant for United for 2 years. McKenzie is a loving black lab dog mom to Stella and proud Auntie to her nephew, Tucker.
Austin Seelbach
Marketing Coordinator
As the marketing coordinator, Austin oversees digital and print content creation as well as management of all Realty Haven + Rent Haven social media platforms. Austin graduated from the University of South Carolina in May of 2021 with a major in advertising and a minor in sports management. Her previous experience in social media management and digital advertising led her to join the Haven tribe to continue using her creativity to develop brand image and promotion.
Courtney Lancaster
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Courtney joined the Realty Haven tribe in 2018. She has worn many hats in the time she’s been with the tribe including utility coordination, scheduling and managing due diligence on over 350+ properties as well as being the listing assistant on 130+ sold homes.
Courtney graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management. Her many years in the hospitality industry gives her a full understanding of the importance of making her clients happy.
Malone Lancaster
Venue Director, The Haven
Malone is the Venue Director of The Haven with over 8 years experience in the event and hospitality industries. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, and is a proud Columbia resident.
Malone has a focused emphasis in country club food, beverage, and events, hotel catering, and venue management, including organizing and managing events with 1,500+ attendees. Malone is the owner of Nolia Events, an event planning and management firm.
Website: TheHaven.Events
