Impact
Mission Statement
At LEM, we recognize that diverse perspectives foster innovation and performance.
Our goal is to build strong and integrated relationships with our investors, our business partners, our people and our community adding value through our dedication to excellence and a positive business culture built on a foundation of respect, accountability, transparency, inclusion, and collaboration.
We established Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) committees that are guided by the Firm’s leadership to help drive change and create access to the community.
Diversity Equity & Inclusion
At the core of our DE&I vision is fostering a corporate culture where differences and individuality is encouraged, understood, and valued while aiming to connect the larger community with our firm and industry.
We have made progress relative to our industry but recognize there is still work to be done. 40% of LEM’s leadership is female and 45% of the team is either racially/ethnically diverse or female. By comparison, a recent study of the real estate industry conducted by Ferguson Partners indicated that in North America only 20% of executive leadership is female and 26% of employees are racially/ethnically diverse.
Corporate Philanthropy
Community Involvement & Charity Support
LEM believes giving back to local Philadelphia charity organizations through charitable donations in addition to our time, talent and resources can positively impact our communities.
LEM has a Charitable Gift Matching Program to help further the impact of an employee’s charitable donation. LEM directly supports a variety of local, national and global nonprofits and also encourages employees to consider donating to charities in our own backyard that support our DE&I initiatives particularly in our own backyard.
Memberships & Industry Engagement
Environmental, Social and Governance
About 50% of the existing apartment stock was built prior to 1980 – with the rate of annual obsolescence, if investments are not made in older properties, we will lose an important and affordable portion of the housing stock. LEM invests in “at risk” housing providing a safe, clean and contemporary home for the average working class American.
Over the last ten years we’ve renovated and returned to market over 15,000 units and have implemented various green initiatives across our renovation programs. Today our focus is on identifying the right partner to help establish environmental due diligence initiatives with a focus around waste, water, and energy measurement, establishing reduction goals and benchmarking.