The People Behind the Performance  – Interview with David Keinert

In the latest episode of The People Behind the Performance, Real Estate Business Analytics CEO Donald Davidoff sits down with David Keinert, EVP of Operations at Aeon. With over 20 years of experience spanning higher education, hospitality, and multifamily housing, David shares his journey from the fast-paced hotel industry to the nonprofit sector. His transition to Aeon, a nonprofit focused on affordable housing, was driven by a desire to leverage his extensive background in Class A multifamily housing and luxury hotels to make a meaningful impact in the community.

David discusses the significant differences between market-rate and affordable housing, emphasizing that while the core principles of providing quality housing remain the same, the approach to operational excellence must adapt to the unique challenges of serving vulnerable populations. He highlights the need for continuous innovation and resilience in affordable housing, given the constraints of limited resources and the complexities of securing funding.

The conversation delves into the importance of proactive data-driven decision-making, where David advocates for moving beyond reactive approaches to anticipate and address issues before they arise. Using data to avoid overly focusing on putting out the fires today instead of preventing the fires of tomorrow.

David's insights into change management and his strategies for implementing data analytics in affordable housing underscore the importance of empathy and clear communication in driving organizational success. By setting a compelling vision and fostering collaboration, David aims to empower his team to achieve their mission of creating and sustaining quality, affordable homes that strengthen communities.

About David Keinert

David Keinert brings over 20 years of expertise in customer experience, operations management, learning and development, and marketing. With a proven track record across diverse industries such as higher education, hospitality, and multi-family housing, David excels in strategic planning, team leadership, employee development, and business analytics to drive operational excellence and growth. David holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, where he also earned two graduate certificates: one in Business Analytics and one in Transformational Change & Organizational Development. He also has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Minnesota. In October 2023, David joined Aeon, a non-profit specializing in affordable housing, after nine years as Senior Director of Property Operations in market-rate housing. As Executive Vice President, he oversees operations and focuses on fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and operational excellence. David is dedicated to empowering team members to grow, collaborate, and contribute to Aeon’s mission of creating and sustaining quality affordable homes that strengthen lives and communities.

Written By: Jocelyn Quall

Jocelyn Quall is the Vice President of Marketing at Real Estate Business Analytics (REBA), a data analytics software company on a mission to change how the rental housing industry uses data. She has spent her career driving demand for B2B and B2C hospitality leaders in multifamily, senior living, and temporary housing. She is a passionate storyteller and loves crafting messages that elicit emotions and engagement with her audience.